As COVID-19 cases surge, Rock Island County could be in danger of slipping back into the earlier phases of Gov. J.B. Pritzker's reopening plan.
Counties are forced back into Phase 3 of Restore Illinois when the positivity rate hits 8%. Rock Island County has been averaging 7.5% in recent weeks.
Nita Ludwig, administrator of the Rock Island County Health Department, says a shift backwards would mean no indoor seating, required reservations, and limited hours for restaurants and bars.
"However, Rock Island County alone going into a warning status would not necessarily put the whole region into those mitigation measures, but if enough counties within our region go into warning status, then the region could go into these restrictions."
So far, parts of northeast Illinois, including the Chicago suburbs, have regressed to Phase 3 of the governor's reopening plan.