Illinois sees small decline in COVID-19 hospitalization numbers, but too early to tell if infection curve is bending down

The number of COVID-19 hospitalizations across Illinois has begun to bend downward after weeks of sharp growth, state data shows, but public health advocates have expressed unease that infections from the Thanksgiving holiday may undo any improvements.

As of Sunday night — the most recent data available — 5,849 COVID-19 patients were hospitalized across the state. That number marked the seventh daily drop in hospitalizations in nine days, collectively amounting to a 5% decrease from a high of 6,175 on Nov. 20.

The same downward trend is starting to be seen, though not as strongly, for the subset of patients in intensive care units — where there are deeper concerns about hospitals becoming overwhelmed.

Picture Source: E. Jason Wambsgans / Chicago Tribune

SOURCE ( JOE MAHR, DAN PETRELLA and LISA SCHENCKERCHICAGO TRIBUNE )