IDPH moves to twice-monthly data releases
CHICAGO, Ill. (May 12, 2023) – “With the heroic efforts of our healthcare workers and institutions, the perseverance and grit of the people of Illinois, and with 26 million vaccine doses administered, I couldn’t be happier to announce today that all national and state COVID-19 related emergency declarations have finally come to an end,” said Governor JB Pritzker on May 11. “Although today marks the official end of our state’s emergency declarations, we are taking this moment to ensure that we learn lessons from the pandemic experience so we can prepare for the future and save lives in the years ahead.”
Pritzker also expressed gratitude to the healthcare heroes whose sacrifice and service helped save lives throughout the extent of the pandemic.
The end of the Public Health Emergency means the federal government will phase out providing tests, vaccines, and treatment directly to states. There will also be changes to data collection and reporting on the virus. Hospitals will no longer be required to report the number of COVID-19 patients in hospital beds or in the ICU or on ventilators.
The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) announced that they will now begin releasing COVID data updates every other week, including the number of:
- People admitted to hospitals from Emergency Departments
- Deaths
- Vaccinations
IDPH has recorded a total of 4,139,537 cases and 36,870 deaths, in 102 counties in Illinois since the beginning of the pandemic.
IDPH is encouraging local health department partners around the state to mark the end of the Public Health Emergency by hosting events to thank their employees. Local residents are encouraged to show their appreciation for public health and health care heroes.
The Lansing Journal will continue to receive COVID-19 data as it is released by the state, and we will review it to determine local interest.
