Tracking COVID-19: Confirmed cases in Harvey down 80% over past month

On Friday, the Illinois Department of Public Health reported 29,939 confirmed COVID-19 cases across the state since February 4. That’s down 50% from January 28 when the state reported 60, 939 COVID-19 cases. The current statewide test positivity rate is 5.8%.*

As cases decline dramatically statewide, Governor JB Pritzker announced that if the current decline in COVID-19 cases continues, the state’s indoor mask mandates would be lifted February 28, except in schools.

If the outlook improves, Cook County Department of Public Health officials plan to lift current mitigations by the same date. The County currently requires proof of vaccination in bars, restaurants, and gyms.

The Omicron surge in Chicago’s south suburbs began receding early last month, consistent with a national and statewide decline in COVID-19 cases. In Harvey, there has been a 80% decline in COVID-19 cases this past month, according to data with the CCDPH.

COVID-19 by the numbers in Harvey and Cook County:

– There were 14 confirmed cases of COVID-19 reported in Harvey between January 30 and February 5**. The city’s recent case count reflects a 80% decline in cases over the past month, according to data with the CCDPH.***

– As the Omicron surge recedes, COVID-19 cases in Harvey appear to have returned to pre-Omicron surge levels. Figures are also nearing a return to figures recorded in January 2021 when vaccine was first made available.

– There have been 104 COVID-19 related deaths in Harvey since March 16, 2020, when the pandemic began, according to data with the Cook County Office of the Medical Examiner.

– An estimated 65.9% of Harvey residents have received 1 dose of vaccine and 46.1% of residents are considered fully vaccinated****, lagging trends in Cook County.

– In Cook County, 83.8% of residents have received 1 dose of vaccine and 63.2% of residents are considered fully vaccinated. About 42.7% of County residents are fully vaccinated and received a booster shot.

– Test positivity has declined just as rapidly as cases. As of February 10, Cook County’s test positivity rate is 5.2%. The County’s test positivity rate was 7.6% the week before. In mid-January, the test positivity rate was an alarming 12.7%.

– There is still a high level of community spread in the area, according to the CCDPH.

*The Illinois State Department of Public Health calculates test positivity by dividing the total number of positive COVID-19 tests for 7 days by the total number of COVID-19 tests performed during the same 7-day period.

**The Cook County Department of Public Health updates weekly case counts every Wednesday. Data reflect cases reported the previous Sunday through Saturday.

***The CCDPH calculates percent change by comparing case counts from the past 14 days to the 14 days preceding that.

****The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention considers fully vaccinated to mean having received all primary doses of a COVID-19 vaccine. That’s 2 shots for Pfizer and Moderna and 1 shot for Johnson & Johnson.