COVID-19 Update: Long term Care Facilities, Nursing Homes and Utilization Rates
In his daily briefing Governor Pritzker discussed congregate care facility infection rates as well as hospital, ICU and ventilator capacity across the State. Case rates and hospitalization rates are still rising and although the rate of increase shows an encouraging trend, the Governor does not believe we have hit our peak of cases but believes the stay at home order is bending the curve.

Since mid-March we have increased our ventilator capacity by acquiring 1,000 new ventilators. The State now has 3,200 Statewide. As for utilization rates of these ventilators the Governor gave the following details:
  • Currently of the 4,599 Illinoisans in the hospital due to COVID, 757 are on ventilators meaning 23% of our total ventilator inventory is currently in use by COVID-19 patients
  • On April 14, 27% utilization of ventilators by COVID patients
  • On April 10, 29% utilization of ventilators by COVID patients
  • On April 6, 23% utilization of ventilators by COVID patients

The increase in ventilator availability has prevented critical shortages.

Hospitalization data:
  • On April 6 there were 3,680 COVID patients Statewide
  • On April 10, 4,020 patients Statewide
  • On April 14, 4,283 patients Statewide
  • On April 18, 4,599 patients Statewide
Without the stay at home order projection models show we would have been 2,500 beds over capacity by April 6.

ICU data:
  • On April 6, 43% of all ICU beds occupied by COVID patients
  • On April 10, 40% of ICU beds occupied by COVID patients
  • As of today, 40% of ICU beds occupied by COVID patients
Again, the increase in available beds resulting from efforts at hospitals to increase capacity combined with the impact of the Stay at Home order have helped prevent critical shortages. The Illinois Department of Public Health has a website dedicated to monitoring usage rates across the State you can view this page here .

Long term care facilities and nursing homes have been among the hardest hit during this pandemic. Like all congregate living settings these places face significant challenges because there is a large population living in a limited space combined with the added challenges associated with moving patients who may be fragile in order to create separation.

Early on in the crisis, the administration noted the particular impact on senior populations and began looking at the issue. On March 4 the State established guidelines for state operated long term care facilities, veteran homes, and nursing homes and began working with privately run facilities to implement proper protocols. Before the first case was announced visitors had been restricted at state operated facilities. The Department of Public Health (DPH) had also released training to local health departments on how to acquire personal protective equipment (ppe), best practices for patients and staff and are now hosting statewide calls 4 days a week on updates. The department has found that the best way to respond to outbreaks at these facilities is to have a strike team respond to make sure guidelines and training protocols are being followed. IDPH has made it clear that these facilities are top priority as far as distribution of PPE along with first responders.
The protocol related to staff testing has changed and IDPH is ramping up testing on all staff to determine who is coming in and out of the facilities and who may be a-symptomatic this will be critical to prevent further spread. This is particularly significant in facilities where patients or residents are getting sick but staff are not. The department is also looking to enforce protocols for nursing homes, long term care facilities and veterans homes to ensure that they are following guidelines and proper procedures.

Statewide data on these facilities infection rates is now available the IDPH website and updated daily, although Dr. Ezike made clear that individual facilities are the best source since the IDPH reports are based on the numbers local health departments report and tend to run at least a full day behind due to the need to compile data. Dr. Ezike announced that the department’s data portal for nursing home information has been updated to reflect the latest data.
COVID-19 Count as of today :

1,151 new cases, 59 deaths today

If you have questions related to COVID-19 you can contact the Illinois Department of Public Health :
Hotline : 800-889-3931
Email : dph.sick@illinois.gov

City of Chicago's Department of Public Health :
Hotline : 312-746-4835
Email : coronavirus@chicago.gov

You can sign up to get updates from the City of Chicago's Department of Public Health here .
Guest piece on protecting public health and the environment: What you can do from home
By Jen Walling, Executive Director, Illinois Environmental Council

While many pieces of environmental legislation are unlikely to move in the state legislature this year, there is still plenty to do to advocate and protect the environment. In Springfield, environmental organizations will continue to push clean energy and budget solutions that protect public health, communities, and create jobs, but as we wait for the legislature to reconvene, here are some actions that you can take from home.

A few quick tips to protect the environment during this crisis:
  • Your personal protective equipment such as gloves and masks belong in the trash after you are done using them. Please don't litter with your PPE or put it in the recycling bin.
  • Do NOT flush wet wipes or even "flushable" wipes. Despite the label, these wipes will clog your pipes and clog community pipes.
  • If it's raining, save your dishes and laundry for another day.   
  • Get Outside. While Chicago's parks and beaches are off limits, it is good for your physical and mental health to get outdoors, but it's important to get outside safely. This webinar led by Openlands and Cook County Forest Preserve District will connect you with the right tips to get outside safely.
  • Stores are discouraging workers from touching reusable bags. If you want to use your own bag, use self check out or ask the worker to put items back in your cart and then bag your items yourself at your car, bike or outside the store after you are done shopping. Above all, please be kind and generous to all workers during this time.
  • Check out more of our sustainability tips for while you are at home here.
Advocate for a better world.    - It's clear that air pollution and climate change are exacerbating the respiratory health issues experienced by COVID-19 patients. In particular, low income communities which are disproportionately people of color are continuing to experience high levels of air pollution and reduced health care quality.

In Little Village, Hilco Redevelopment Corporation oversaw the deconstruction of the Crawford Coal Plant this past weekend. That deconstruction negligently layered the entire community in thick dust, likely to contain high levels of toxic materials.   Support the community through this petition by Little Village Environmental Justice Organization.

As the crisis continues, environmental groups will continue to advocate for strong environment and public health agencies, protections for workers, and solutions to climate change to make us all safer.   Read more about our goals to make the post-coronavirus world better.
Guidance on Debt Repayment: Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation and the Attorney General's Office
During these uncertain times many individuals are facing financial hardship and may be in need of avenues for reporting financial institutions who are not following executive orders the Governor or the passage of the Federal CARES Act created. Financial institutions can be reported to the Attorney General's office or to the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. Both departments have released joint guidance for consumers on protections and ways to report institutions here .

Sincerely,

Kelly Cassidy
State Representative, 14th District

Office of State Representative Kelly Cassidy

5533 N Broadway

Chicago IL 60640
773-784-2002(phone)
773-784-2060(fax)