I want to review our latest updates on hospitalization rates and ventilator data as well as what these numbers might mean in the larger context of our curve.

Illinois' doubling rates have increased substantially — that's a very good thing.

For positive cases, it went from just about two days on March 22 to 3.6 days on April 1 to 8.2 days on April 12.

For fatalities, it was 2.5 days at the beginning of April & it's now at 5.5 days.

The fact that our doubling rate continues to increase in every metric is a clear demonstration that there is a deceleration of virus transmission.

We are in fact bending the curve.

Perhaps the most accurate leading indicator of our progress is our hospitalization data.

As you can see, these numbers are increasing, however, so too is our overall hospital capacity.

Overall, this indicates our growing ability to manage capacity within our healthcare systems.

We track not only individual hospitals, but also by region. 

Today, no region is currently below 15 percent availability of any of these metrics, but there are individual hospitals that are operating at or near max capacity.

Another key component of our hospital capacity is the health care providers that are doing life-saving work. 

I am so deeply thankful for the now 3,600 retired and out-of-state medical professionals who have applied to join Illinois’ fight against COVID-19.

A final reminder: This curve may not flatten – and may go up again – if we don’t adhere to the stay at home order.

We must stay the course for our efforts to remain effective.

So many people have committed to being #AllInIllinois – and we need every single resident to join us.