1,105 New Coronavirus Cases In Illinois In 1 Day
This article originally appeared on the Chicago Patch
CHICAGO, IL —There have been 1,105 new cases of coronavirus reported in the state in the past day as Gov. JB Pritzker announced plans Sunday to dramatically increase the number of tests available in the coming days. Meanwhile, Pritzker says projections by state experts show the virus, which has currently sickened 4,596 across the state and killed 65, will peak in mid-April.
Testing, he says, is really the first step to getting past the virus. With 4,000 tests currently being administered per day, Pritzker says that capacity will jump to 10,o00 in the next 10 days. He says 10,000 tests is the benchmark that scientists and experts say is needed to get a handle on the real number of cases across the state.
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"Every day we are not hitting 10,000 tests or more is a day we are not getting answers to get past this virus," Pritzker said. He again slammed the federal government for "wasting the entire month of February," and promising tests they never delivered, which forced state leaders to now try and get ahead of the rapidly spreading virus.
Pritzker said the state will increase its testing capacity by hiring second and third shift technicians at state labs to amp production once the necessary materials are available. In addition, the state is acquiring additional lab robotics equipment with plans to get the first two machines on loan.
The first machine will be up and running by Tuesday and the other one will be available later this week.
Pritzker also spoke with North Chicago-based Abbott Labs on Friday regarding its Federal Drug Administration-approved five-minute test, asking that Illinois be first in line to receive the tests.
"They expressed a real dedication to take care of their home state and will be very helpful to us in Illinois as their production ramps up," Pritzker said.
During Saturday's press conference, state officials announced the first-ever death of an infant due to COVID-19. On Sunday, Dr. Allison Arwady, head of the Chicago Department of Public Health, announced the baby was 9 months old, according to the Chicago Tribune. The exact cause of death has not yet been determined.
Meanwhile, the Cook County Jail has become a hot bed for coronavirus cases. As of Saturday night, 89 inmates have tested positive for the virus while jail officials are waiting on pending test results for 92 detainees. Twelve Cook County Sheriff's Office employees have also tested positive for COVID-19, according to a statement from the sheriff's office.
Read more: Illinois Coronavirus Update March 29: Virus Spreads Through Jail
Check back for more updates. This is a developing story.
