State officials imposed new restrictions in Region 8 after a surge in coronavirus cases, but the upward trend reached new heights at the end of the first full week of increased mitigations.
Public health data shows the positivity rate in Region 8 — made up of Kane and DuPage counties — reached 10.6 percent on Oct. 29, up a full percentage point from just three days prior.
That is the highest positivity rate recorded in Region 8 since officials first started publishing the measure in June, according to statistics from the Illinois Department of Public Health.
At 10.6 percent, the region’s positivity rate is more than twice as high as it was at the beginning of October (5.2 percent).
Kane County’s positivity rate stood at 12.2 percent as of Thursday, while DuPage County’s positivity rate was 9.7 percent, according to IDPH statistics.
Region 8 triggered new restrictions last month after the region recorded a positivity rate above 8 percent for three days in a row. The new restrictions ban indoor service at bars and restaurants and a limit social gatherings to 25 people.
The region’s positivity rate has been above 8 percent since Oct. 17, public health data shows.
Restrictions will be lifted when the region records positivity rates under 6.5 percent for three days in a row, while public health officials will add more restrictions if the regional positivity rate remains above 8 percent after 14 days with additional mitigations.
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