Friday, May 15, 2020 | View in browser
Good evening,
The City of Evanston continues to coordinate a communitywide response to slow the spread of COVID-19. Below, you'll find the latest data from the City's Health and Human Services Department and the Illinois Department of Public Health, which helps guide the City's response.
Visit our COVID-19 web page for daily case updates and the most recent communications.
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'Restore Illinois' Indicators for Northeast Region
According to the Illinois Department of Public Health, Illinois' Northeast Region, which includes Evanston, is currently on track to move to Phase 3 of Governor Pritzker's "Restore Illinois" plan by May 29. However, the region must maintain these metrics over the next two weeks to move to the next phase, which would allow some non-essential businesses to reopen with strict safety precautions and social distancing guidelines.
Stay the course. It's critical that everyone continues to do their part – including staying home except for when completing essential business, wearing a face covering in public settings where social distancing is impractical, practicing strict social distancing, and washing hands frequently – so that Illinois can continue on its path towards a safe recovery.
 Daily confirmed cases in Evanston. LTCF refers to long-term care facilities.
Daily Confirmed COVID-19 Cases in Evanston
As of Friday, May 15 at 3 p.m., Evanston had a total of 538 confirmed cases to date and, sadly, 18 fatalities.
Daily confirmed cases. The number of daily confirmed COVID-19 cases continues to increase in Evanston, with a 7-day moving average of 14 new confirmed cases per day. This rise corresponds with an increase in laboratory testing. Although the number of cases is increasing, it is doing so at a rate that has not overwhelmed our health care system. The collective actions we've all taken, such as staying home except for essential tasks and wearing face coverings in public, have helped "flatten the curve" and save lives.
Long-term care facilities. Approximately 36 percent of new COVID-19 cases over the last seven days have come from long-term care facilities (LTCFs), as shown in the graph above. This is partly due to increased testing at these facilities. The Illinois Department of Public Health and the City’s Health and Human Services Department’s top priority continues to be supporting our senior living communities with testing, personal protective equipment (PPE), and health care resources.
Test positivity rate. Evanston's COVID-19 test positivity rate remains lower than Chicago and the Northeast Region, hovering around 16 percent. As more testing becomes available, experts anticipate the positivity rate will decrease.
 NorthShore and AMITA hospital admissions
The number of COVID-19 hospital admissions has decreased over the last week, dropping below 200 – the lowest level since late April. This decrease will help our hospitals get back to standard care, rather than crisis care.
Reminders
 Your actions matter
Help Evanston and Illinois continue to "flatten the curve" by doing your part to protect the health and safety of yourself and others:
- Avoid close contact with those who are sick, and stay home if you're sick
- Stay home except when completing essential activities
- Wear a cloth face covering over your nose and mouth when working in or patronizing essential businesses and operations. This helps prevent the spread of your germs to others. Studies have shown that COVID-19 can be spread by those not showing symptoms.
- Put distance between yourself and others in public (at least six feet)
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth
- Cover your coughs and sneezes
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
Want to do more? Here are some other ways you can help.
 Find resources
Visit the City's COVID-19 Resources page for helpful information related to mental health, food services, business and financial assistance, and more.
Did you know? The City has contracted with AMITA Health St. Francis Hospital to provide education, mental health care, support, counseling and crisis intervention services. Residents may dial 847-448-8659 to access these free services.
That’s it for this e-news Extra. Take care and thanks for doing your part.
Sincerely,
The City of Evanston Communications Team
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