Cook County Department of Public Health to end Mitigation Order 2021-11 on Monday, February 28, 2022

The Cook County Department of Public Health (CCDPH) is issuing a new mitigation Order, rescinding Order 2021-11 in its entirety. The new Order, Mitigation Order 2022-1, does not contain any mitigation measures, and goes into effect at 6 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 28, 2022.

Rescinding Mitigation Order 2021-11 lifts the vaccination and masking requirements for CCDPH’s suburban Cook County jurisdiction. Substantial improvements in COVID-19 case counts, positivity rates, and hospital occupancy allow CCDPH to lift Order 2021-11, coinciding with the removal of similar orders in the city of Chicago and state of Illinois.

Masking as part of isolation after infection and quarantine after exposure is still necessary to prevent COVID-19 transmission. This includes in workplaces and schools.

Masks are required in airports and interstate transportation by federal order .

Healthcare facilities including hospitals, clinics and long-term care facilities should continue masking in accordance with the Illinois Department of Public Health and CDC guidance .

CCDPH continues to recommend masking with a well-fitting high-quality mask, such as a KN95 or N95 respirator, for those who are considered at high risk for severe COVID-19 illness when they are in public indoor spaces or other places where individuals near them may be unvaccinated.

Vaccines protect people from contracting COVID-19 and especially from severe disease and death. To find a vaccination location near you, please visit myshotcookcounty.com

ORDER OF THE
COOK COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH No. 2022-1
COVID-19 MITIGATION
Effective: February 28, 2022

WHEREAS, On January 27, 2020, the United States Secretary of Health and Human Services declared that COVID-19, a respiratory illness spread by close contact through respiratory droplets, presents a public health emergency, and the World Health Organization characterized the COVID-19 outbreak as a pandemic on March 11, 2020.

WHEREAS, The Cook County Department of Public Health is the Illinois certified local health department for suburban Cook County, Illinois, with the exception of Evanston, Skokie, Oak Park, and Stickney Township, serving 127 municipalities.

WHEREAS, The Cook County Department of Public Health is responsible for determining when a danger to the public health exists within its jurisdiction, and to order measures deemed necessary to protect the public health until such time that the danger to the public health is eliminated or reduced in such a manner that an immediate threat no longer exists.

WHEREAS, pursuant to the Cook County, Illinois, Code of Ordinances Sec. 38-33(b), a law enforcement officer with proper jurisdiction shall be authorized to enforce orders issued by the Cook County Department of Public Health with respect to public health measures and shall assist in enforcing such orders.

WHEREAS, The Cook County Department of Public Health has determined that the immediate danger to the public health at this time has reduced in such a manner that mandatory mitigation measures are no longer necessary.

NOW, THEREFORE, in accordance with the authority delegated to it by the Illinois Department of Public Health pursuant to the Illinois Public Health Act (20 ILCS 2305/1.1 et seq.); the Illinois Department of Public Health Powers and Duties Law (20 ILCS 2310/2310-15 et seq.); and the Cook County, Illinois, Code of Ordinances (Chapter 38, Article II et seq.), the Cook County Department of Public Health hereby directs and orders:

Cook County Department of Public Health Order 2021-11 is hereby repealed.

Cook County Department of Public Health encourages businesses to follow any Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and Illinois Department of Public Health policy and guideline updates.

Cook County Department of Public Health further encourages Pre-K through 12th grade schools to follow any guidance issued by the Illinois Department of Public Health, the Illinois State Board of Education and the Center for Disease Control.

Nothing in this Order shall, in any way, alter or modify the legal authority of the State or any county, or local government body.

Dated: 2/27/22

Effective: 2/28/22, 6 a.m.
Name: Rachel Rubin
Senior Medical Officer, Co-Lead
Cook County Department of Public Health

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