“We have seen more than 600 new cases in suburban Cook in our jurisdiction alone,” Dr. Rachel Rubin said. “And that means we’re at the beginning of another wave.”
Now, county health officials said the rise in cases could translate into new restrictions imposed if those numbers don’t go down.
According to recent data, the most significant increase in cases is among the 20- to 30-year-old groups, and the positivity rate has almost doubled over the past few weeks.
“I think our overall positivity rate is now about five, we’re down from three and that’s a big problem,” Dr. Rubin said.
Despite the expansion of ongoing vaccination efforts, the growing number of cases is making county officials contemplate what needs to be done.
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“We may have to slow down in a matter of days. I don’t promise that one way or another,” Dr. Rubin said. “We need to assess exactly what kind of activities and movements are really driving this wave.”
This could mean regaining restrictions on companies.
“We have to keep being safe and these are really the messages and if we have to limit ours more [mitigation], you know, go back a bit in interior design activities, restaurants and fitness clubs and the like: hopefully it doesn’t get to the point where it’s necessary to do that, ”Dr. Rubin added.
Archie Ong, a resident of Evanston, has seen how his city has undergone so many changes over the past year
“It will be a major setback, obviously a lot of the restaurants here are struggling,” Ong said. “There have been several restaurants that have closed, so I hope, I hope it doesn’t happen.”
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He and his family still stay at home for the most part and expect other people who may think the worst is over to do the same.
“People get vaccinated and they think it’s safe. I guess maybe it’s safe, but at the same time I think we shouldn’t relax so much,” Ong added.
For now, health officials recommend keeping things outdoors while they continue to mask and keep their distance.
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