Counties with the lowest hospital bed capacity in Illinois
The vaccine deployment in December 2020 signaled a turning point in the COVID-19 pandemic. By the end of May 2021, 40% of the U.S. population was fully vaccinated. But as vaccination rates lagged over the summer, new surges of COVID-19 came, including Delta in the summer of 2021, and now the Omicron variant, which comprises the majority of cases in the U.S.
Researchers around the world have reported that Omicron is more transmissible than Delta, making breakthrough and repeat infections more likely. Early research suggests this strain may cause less severe illness than Delta and the original virus, however, health officials have warned an Omicron-driven surge could still increase hospitalization and death ratesâ€"especially in areas with less vaccinated populations.
The United States as of Feb. 24 reached 942,985 COVID-19-related deaths and nearly 78.7 million COVID-19 cases, according to Johns Hopkins University. Currently, 64.8% of the population is fully vaccinated, and 43.4% have received booster doses.
Stacker compiled a list of the counties with the lowest in-patient bed capacity in Illinois using data from the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services and vaccination data from Covid Act Now. Counties are ranked by the percent of in-patient hospital beds filled as of Feb. 23, with the percent of hospital beds filled by COVID-19 patients serving as a tiebreaker. Hospitalization data was available for about 77% of counties in the U.S. Keep reading to see what hospital capacity looks like in your county.
#50. Montgomery County, IL
--- 50.0% more availability than Illinois overall
- ICU beds occupied: 0.0% (0.0% by COVID-19 patients)
--- 100.0% more availability than Illinois overall
- Cases per 100k in last 7 days: 243 (69 cases)
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 50.4% (14,334 fully vaccinated)
--- -25.1% lower vaccination rate than Illinois
#49. Ford County, IL
--- 50.0% more availability than Illinois overall
- ICU beds occupied: 0.0% (0.0% by COVID-19 patients)
--- 100.0% more availability than Illinois overall
- Cases per 100k in last 7 days: 154 (20 cases)
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 56.6% (7,340 fully vaccinated)
--- -15.9% lower vaccination rate than Illinois
#48. Livingston County, IL
--- 50.0% more availability than Illinois overall
- ICU beds occupied: 49.0% (8.0% by COVID-19 patients)
--- 38.8% more availability than Illinois overall
- Cases per 100k in last 7 days: 171 (61 cases)
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 50.2% (17,882 fully vaccinated)
--- -25.4% lower vaccination rate than Illinois
#47. Clay County, IL
--- 50.0% more availability than Illinois overall
- ICU beds occupied: data not available
--- 80% full in Illinois overall
- Cases per 100k in last 7 days: 372 (49 cases)
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 38.0% (5,016 fully vaccinated)
--- -43.5% lower vaccination rate than Illinois
#46. Vermilion County, IL
--- 48.8% more availability than Illinois overall
- ICU beds occupied: 31.0% (3.0% by COVID-19 patients)
--- 61.3% more availability than Illinois overall
- Cases per 100k in last 7 days: 120 (91 cases)
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 44.9% (34,046 fully vaccinated)
--- -33.3% lower vaccination rate than Illinois
#45. LaSalle County, IL
--- 46.3% more availability than Illinois overall
- ICU beds occupied: 33.0% (4.0% by COVID-19 patients)
--- 58.8% more availability than Illinois overall
- Cases per 100k in last 7 days: 186 (202 cases)
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 57.2% (62,188 fully vaccinated)
--- -15.0% lower vaccination rate than Illinois
#44. Hancock County, IL
--- 46.3% more availability than Illinois overall
- ICU beds occupied: data not available
--- 80% full in Illinois overall
- Cases per 100k in last 7 days: 152 (27 cases)
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 46.9% (8,299 fully vaccinated)
--- -30.3% lower vaccination rate than Illinois
#43. Effingham County, IL
--- 45.0% more availability than Illinois overall
- ICU beds occupied: 41.0% (4.0% by COVID-19 patients)
--- 48.8% more availability than Illinois overall
- Cases per 100k in last 7 days: 100 (34 cases)
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 48.2% (16,384 fully vaccinated)
--- -28.4% lower vaccination rate than Illinois
#42. Lee County, IL
--- 45.0% more availability than Illinois overall
- ICU beds occupied: 79.0% (7.0% by COVID-19 patients)
--- 1.3% more availability than Illinois overall
- Cases per 100k in last 7 days: 141 (48 cases)
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 58.5% (19,944 fully vaccinated)
--- -13.1% lower vaccination rate than Illinois
#41. Christian County, IL
--- 43.8% more availability than Illinois overall
- ICU beds occupied: data not available
--- 80% full in Illinois overall
- Cases per 100k in last 7 days: 325 (105 cases)
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 48.2% (15,572 fully vaccinated)
--- -28.4% lower vaccination rate than Illinois
#40. Piatt County, IL
--- 43.8% more availability than Illinois overall
- ICU beds occupied: data not available
--- 80% full in Illinois overall
- Cases per 100k in last 7 days: 147 (24 cases)
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 60.4% (9,865 fully vaccinated)
--- -10.3% lower vaccination rate than Illinois
#39. Randolph County, IL
--- 42.5% more availability than Illinois overall
- ICU beds occupied: 0.0% (0.0% by COVID-19 patients)
--- 100.0% more availability than Illinois overall
- Cases per 100k in last 7 days: 390 (124 cases)
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 51.8% (16,449 fully vaccinated)
--- -23.0% lower vaccination rate than Illinois
#38. Grundy County, IL
--- 42.5% more availability than Illinois overall
- ICU beds occupied: 37.0% (0.0% by COVID-19 patients)
--- 53.8% more availability than Illinois overall
- Cases per 100k in last 7 days: 94 (48 cases)
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 56.8% (28,989 fully vaccinated)
--- -15.6% lower vaccination rate than Illinois
#37. Perry County, IL
--- 42.5% more availability than Illinois overall
- ICU beds occupied: data not available
--- 80% full in Illinois overall
- Cases per 100k in last 7 days: 282 (59 cases)
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 49.8% (10,414 fully vaccinated)
--- -26.0% lower vaccination rate than Illinois
#36. Tazewell County, IL
--- 40.0% more availability than Illinois overall
- ICU beds occupied: 50.0% (4.0% by COVID-19 patients)
--- 37.5% more availability than Illinois overall
- Cases per 100k in last 7 days: 143 (188 cases)
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 58.5% (77,131 fully vaccinated)
--- -13.1% lower vaccination rate than Illinois
#35. Edgar County, IL
--- 38.8% more availability than Illinois overall
- ICU beds occupied: data not available
--- 80% full in Illinois overall
- Cases per 100k in last 7 days: 157 (27 cases)
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 47.8% (8,204 fully vaccinated)
--- -29.0% lower vaccination rate than Illinois
#34. Fulton County, IL
--- 36.3% more availability than Illinois overall
- ICU beds occupied: 55.0% (0.0% by COVID-19 patients)
--- 31.3% more availability than Illinois overall
- Cases per 100k in last 7 days: 163 (56 cases)
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 56.3% (19,336 fully vaccinated)
--- -16.3% lower vaccination rate than Illinois
#33. Kankakee County, IL
--- 35.0% more availability than Illinois overall
- ICU beds occupied: 51.0% (6.0% by COVID-19 patients)
--- 36.3% more availability than Illinois overall
- Cases per 100k in last 7 days: 87 (96 cases)
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 51.3% (56,333 fully vaccinated)
--- -23.8% lower vaccination rate than Illinois
#32. Williamson County, IL
--- 33.8% more availability than Illinois overall
- ICU beds occupied: 59.0% (25.0% by COVID-19 patients)
--- 26.3% more availability than Illinois overall
- Cases per 100k in last 7 days: 189 (126 cases)
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 54.6% (36,375 fully vaccinated)
--- -18.9% lower vaccination rate than Illinois
#31. Rock Island County, IL
--- 26.3% more availability than Illinois overall
- ICU beds occupied: 77.0% (23.0% by COVID-19 patients)
--- 3.8% more availability than Illinois overall
- Cases per 100k in last 7 days: 109 (155 cases)
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 57.0% (80,855 fully vaccinated)
--- -15.3% lower vaccination rate than Illinois
#30. Stephenson County, IL
--- 22.5% more availability than Illinois overall
- ICU beds occupied: 32.0% (16.0% by COVID-19 patients)
--- 60.0% more availability than Illinois overall
- Cases per 100k in last 7 days: 184 (82 cases)
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 60.1% (26,732 fully vaccinated)
--- -10.7% lower vaccination rate than Illinois
#29. McDonough County, IL
--- 22.5% more availability than Illinois overall
- ICU beds occupied: 63.0% (31.0% by COVID-19 patients)
--- 21.3% more availability than Illinois overall
- Cases per 100k in last 7 days: 206 (61 cases)
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 46.9% (13,930 fully vaccinated)
--- -30.3% lower vaccination rate than Illinois
#28. Jackson County, IL
--- 22.5% more availability than Illinois overall
- ICU beds occupied: 89.0% (13.0% by COVID-19 patients)
--- 11.3% more full than Illinois overall
- Cases per 100k in last 7 days: 227 (129 cases)
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 51.4% (29,154 fully vaccinated)
--- -23.6% lower vaccination rate than Illinois
#27. Madison County, IL
--- 21.3% more availability than Illinois overall
- ICU beds occupied: 52.0% (12.0% by COVID-19 patients)
--- 35.0% more availability than Illinois overall
- Cases per 100k in last 7 days: 142 (373 cases)
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 61.1% (160,607 fully vaccinated)
--- -9.2% lower vaccination rate than Illinois
#26. Kane County, IL
--- 17.5% more availability than Illinois overall
- ICU beds occupied: 49.0% (6.0% by COVID-19 patients)
--- 38.8% more availability than Illinois overall
- Cases per 100k in last 7 days: 105 (558 cases)
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 65.6% (349,276 fully vaccinated)
--- -2.5% lower vaccination rate than Illinois
#25. Whiteside County, IL
--- 17.5% more availability than Illinois overall
- ICU beds occupied: 65.0% (9.0% by COVID-19 patients)
--- 18.8% more availability than Illinois overall
- Cases per 100k in last 7 days: 188 (104 cases)
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 56.8% (31,349 fully vaccinated)
--- -15.6% lower vaccination rate than Illinois
#24. Macon County, IL
--- 17.5% more availability than Illinois overall
- ICU beds occupied: 90.0% (10.0% by COVID-19 patients)
--- 12.5% more full than Illinois overall
- Cases per 100k in last 7 days: 137 (142 cases)
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 52.7% (54,825 fully vaccinated)
--- -21.7% lower vaccination rate than Illinois
#23. Marion County, IL
--- 15.0% more availability than Illinois overall
- ICU beds occupied: 40.0% (2.0% by COVID-19 patients)
--- 50.0% more availability than Illinois overall
- Cases per 100k in last 7 days: 194 (72 cases)
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 44.7% (16,636 fully vaccinated)
--- -33.6% lower vaccination rate than Illinois
#22. Knox County, IL
--- 15.0% more availability than Illinois overall
- ICU beds occupied: 59.0% (8.0% by COVID-19 patients)
--- 26.3% more availability than Illinois overall
- Cases per 100k in last 7 days: 183 (91 cases)
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 58.1% (28,865 fully vaccinated)
--- -13.7% lower vaccination rate than Illinois
#21. Winnebago County, IL
--- 15.0% more availability than Illinois overall
- ICU beds occupied: 71.0% (14.0% by COVID-19 patients)
--- 11.3% more availability than Illinois overall
- Cases per 100k in last 7 days: 142 (401 cases)
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 57.0% (160,980 fully vaccinated)
--- -15.3% lower vaccination rate than Illinois
#20. Jefferson County, IL
--- 13.8% more availability than Illinois overall
- ICU beds occupied: 59.0% (29.0% by COVID-19 patients)
--- 26.3% more availability than Illinois overall
- Cases per 100k in last 7 days: 255 (96 cases)
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 46.3% (17,448 fully vaccinated)
--- -31.2% lower vaccination rate than Illinois
#19. Clinton County, IL
--- 13.8% more availability than Illinois overall
- ICU beds occupied: data not available
--- 80% full in Illinois overall
- Cases per 100k in last 7 days: 128 (48 cases)
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 58.5% (21,992 fully vaccinated)
--- -13.1% lower vaccination rate than Illinois
#18. Logan County, IL
--- 13.8% more availability than Illinois overall
- ICU beds occupied: data not available
--- 80% full in Illinois overall
- Cases per 100k in last 7 days: 112 (32 cases)
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 53.4% (15,281 fully vaccinated)
--- -20.7% lower vaccination rate than Illinois
#17. DeKalb County, IL
--- 10.0% more availability than Illinois overall
- ICU beds occupied: 74.0% (1.0% by COVID-19 patients)
--- 7.5% more availability than Illinois overall
- Cases per 100k in last 7 days: 124 (130 cases)
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 55.6% (58,372 fully vaccinated)
--- -17.4% lower vaccination rate than Illinois
#16. McLean County, IL
--- 8.8% more availability than Illinois overall
- ICU beds occupied: 51.0% (4.0% by COVID-19 patients)
--- 36.3% more availability than Illinois overall
- Cases per 100k in last 7 days: 146 (251 cases)
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 62.5% (107,244 fully vaccinated)
--- -7.1% lower vaccination rate than Illinois
#15. Coles County, IL
--- 7.5% more availability than Illinois overall
- ICU beds occupied: 56.0% (18.0% by COVID-19 patients)
--- 30.0% more availability than Illinois overall
- Cases per 100k in last 7 days: 172 (87 cases)
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 45.2% (22,892 fully vaccinated)
--- -32.8% lower vaccination rate than Illinois
#14. Peoria County, IL
--- 7.5% more availability than Illinois overall
- ICU beds occupied: 63.0% (10.0% by COVID-19 patients)
--- 21.3% more availability than Illinois overall
- Cases per 100k in last 7 days: 167 (299 cases)
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 60.6% (108,558 fully vaccinated)
--- -10.0% lower vaccination rate than Illinois
#13. Cook County, IL
--- 7.5% more availability than Illinois overall
- ICU beds occupied: 70.0% (8.0% by COVID-19 patients)
--- 12.5% more availability than Illinois overall
- Cases per 100k in last 7 days: 89 (4,575 cases)
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 70.9% (3,652,836 fully vaccinated)
--- 5.3% higher vaccination rate than Illinois
#12. McHenry County, IL
--- 7.5% more availability than Illinois overall
- ICU beds occupied: 94.0% (8.0% by COVID-19 patients)
--- 17.5% more full than Illinois overall
- Cases per 100k in last 7 days: 133 (409 cases)
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 66.0% (203,136 fully vaccinated)
--- -1.9% lower vaccination rate than Illinois
#11. Sangamon County, IL
--- 6.3% more availability than Illinois overall
- ICU beds occupied: 59.0% (5.0% by COVID-19 patients)
--- 26.3% more availability than Illinois overall
- Cases per 100k in last 7 days: 191 (371 cases)
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 64.1% (124,794 fully vaccinated)
--- -4.8% lower vaccination rate than Illinois
#10. Adams County, IL
--- 5.0% more availability than Illinois overall
- ICU beds occupied: 65.0% (8.0% by COVID-19 patients)
--- 18.8% more availability than Illinois overall
- Cases per 100k in last 7 days: 267 (175 cases)
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 51.4% (33,647 fully vaccinated)
--- -23.6% lower vaccination rate than Illinois
#9. DuPage County, IL
--- 3.8% more availability than Illinois overall
- ICU beds occupied: 61.0% (7.0% by COVID-19 patients)
--- 23.8% more availability than Illinois overall
- Cases per 100k in last 7 days: 118 (1,093 cases)
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 75.9% (700,399 fully vaccinated)
--- 12.8% higher vaccination rate than Illinois
#8. St. Clair County, IL
--- 3.8% more availability than Illinois overall
- ICU beds occupied: 74.0% (10.0% by COVID-19 patients)
--- 7.5% more availability than Illinois overall
- Cases per 100k in last 7 days: 116 (300 cases)
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 61.3% (159,155 fully vaccinated)
--- -8.9% lower vaccination rate than Illinois
#7. Morgan County, IL
--- 2.5% more availability than Illinois overall
- ICU beds occupied: 59.0% (0.0% by COVID-19 patients)
--- 26.3% more availability than Illinois overall
- Cases per 100k in last 7 days: 199 (67 cases)
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 53.6% (18,056 fully vaccinated)
--- -20.4% lower vaccination rate than Illinois
#6. Lake County, IL
--- 1.3% more availability than Illinois overall
- ICU beds occupied: 69.0% (12.0% by COVID-19 patients)
--- 13.8% more availability than Illinois overall
- Cases per 100k in last 7 days: 131 (914 cases)
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 76.4% (532,185 fully vaccinated)
--- 13.5% higher vaccination rate than Illinois
#5. Will County, IL
--- 0.0% more availability than Illinois overall
- ICU beds occupied: 70.0% (6.0% by COVID-19 patients)
--- 12.5% more availability than Illinois overall
- Cases per 100k in last 7 days: 99 (684 cases)
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 66.5% (459,572 fully vaccinated)
--- -1.2% lower vaccination rate than Illinois
#4. Champaign County, IL
--- 6.2% more full than Illinois overall
- ICU beds occupied: 49.0% (2.0% by COVID-19 patients)
--- 38.8% more availability than Illinois overall
- Cases per 100k in last 7 days: 195 (408 cases)
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 64.3% (134,739 fully vaccinated)
--- -4.5% lower vaccination rate than Illinois
#3. Woodford County, IL
--- 20.0% more full than Illinois overall
- ICU beds occupied: data not available
--- 80% full in Illinois overall
- Cases per 100k in last 7 days: 127 (49 cases)
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 54.1% (20,794 fully vaccinated)
--- -19.6% lower vaccination rate than Illinois
#2. Lawrence County, IL
--- 25.0% more full than Illinois overall
- ICU beds occupied: data not available
--- 80% full in Illinois overall
- Cases per 100k in last 7 days: 223 (35 cases)
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 40.4% (6,331 fully vaccinated)
--- -40.0% lower vaccination rate than Illinois
#1. Union County, IL
--- 25.0% more full than Illinois overall
- ICU beds occupied: data not available
--- 80% full in Illinois overall
- Cases per 100k in last 7 days: 186 (31 cases)
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 55.6% (9,262 fully vaccinated)
--- -17.4% lower vaccination rate than Illinois