IL Reports 9,420 New Coronavirus Cases Friday, 190 More Deaths
ILLINOIS — State health officials reported 9,420 new coronavirus infections and 190 more deaths from COVID-19 on Friday, for a total of 832,951 infections and 14,050 deaths across the state since the start of the pandemic.
The latest deaths include:
Adams County: 1 male 60s, 1 female 70s
Boone County: 1 female 80s, 1 female 90s
Carroll County: 1 female 70s
Cass County: 1 male 70s
Champaign County: 1 female 60s
Christian County: 1 male 80s
Clark County: 1 female 90s
Clay County: 1 male 60s
Clinton County: 1 female 90s
Cook County: 1 male 20s, 1 female 30s, 1 male 30s, 2 male 40s, 2 females 50s, 6 males 50s, 5 females 60s, 9 males 60s, 6 females 70s, 11 males 70s, 7 females 80s, 8 males 80s, 5 females 90s, 6 males 90s, 1 male 100+
DeKalb County: 1 female 80s
DuPage County: 3 females 80s, 5 females 90s, 3 males 90s, 2 females 100+
Effingham County: 1 female 80s, 1 male 90s
Gallatin County: 1 male 80s
Grundy County: 1 male 60s, 1 female 80s, 1 male 80s
Hamilton County: 1 female 70s
Henry County: 1 female 90s
Iroquois County: 2 females 80s
Jefferson County: 1 male 70s
Kane County: 1 male 60s, 1 female 70s, 2 males 70s, 2 females 80s, 1 female 90s, 1 male 90s
Kendall County: 2 males 70s
Lake County: 1 male 50s, 2 males 80s, 1 female 90s
LaSalle County: 1 female 80s
Lawrence County: 1 male 50s
Lee County: 1 male 50s, 1 male 90s
Livingston County: 1 male 80s
Macon Cunty: 1 male 80s
Macoupin County: 1 male 60s, 1 female 70s, 1 female 90s, 1 male 90s
Madison County: 1 male 60s, 1 male 70s, 2 males 90s
Marion County: 1 female 60s
Massac County: 1 female 60s
McHenry County: 1 female 50s, 1 female 80s, 2 males 80s
McLean County: 1 female 90s, 1 male 90s, 1 female 100+
Menard County: 1 female 70s
Mercer County: 1 male 90s
Monroe County: 1 male 80s
Morgan County: 1 male 50s, 1 female 90s
Ogle County: 1 female 80s
Peoria County: 1 male 50s, 1 female 70s, 1 female 80s, 2 males 80s
Rock Island County: 1 male 60s, 1 female 80s, 2 males 80s, 1 female 90s
Sangamon County: 1 male 70s, 1 female 80s
Shelby County: 1 male 70s
St. Clair County: 1 male 60s, 1 female 70s, 2 males 80s
Tazewell County: 1 female 70s, 1 female 80s, 1 male 90s
Vermilion County: 1 female 80s, 1 female 90s
Washington County: 1 male 70s
Whiteside County: 1 female 80s, 2 males 80s, 1 female 90s, 1 male 90s
Will County: 4 males 60s, 2 males 70s, 1 female 80s
Williamson County: 1 female 90s
Winnebago County: 1 female 70s, 1 female 90s
Woodford County: 1 female 70s, 1 male 70s
Though the daily death toll remains near record highs, there is light at the end of the tunnel. With a vaccine possibly days away, Chicago doctors say mass vaccination is our "ticket out" of the pandemic. Without it, the U.S. could see hundreds of thousands more dead and years of social distancing. With the vaccine, life could be back to normal by June — but only if enough people get vaccinated.
State public health director Dr. Ngozi Ezike on Wednesday implored Illinoisans to delay holiday gatherings until the vaccine is widely available.
"Let's think about this: If we've made it this far in the pandemic, with the finish line starting to come into sight, you deserve for you and your family and your friends to make it all the way to the other side," she said. "We've come too far to turn back now."
Hospitalizations and ventilator use rose slightly from Thursday, while ICU occupancy held steady. As of Thursday night, 5,141 people were hospitalized with COVID-19 across Illinois, including 1,081 in intensive care and 635 on ventilators.
The statewide case positivity rate — a rolling, seven-day average — fell 0.1 percentage points to 9.4 percent.
(The positivity rate is the number the state has reported since the start of the pandemic and is calculated by dividing total cases detected by total tests performed. Another way to calculate the positivity rate is to divide the number of positive tests by total tests performed. By that calculation, the test positivity rate is 11.1 percent.)
According to Johns Hopkins University, a positivity rate of less than 5 percent is a good measure of whether enough tests are being conducted, and state officials have said a rate higher than 8 percent will trigger new restrictions in a given region.
See how your region is doing here.
The United States now has more than 15.6 million confirmed coronavirus infections, and at least 292,856 Americans have died from COVID -19, according to Johns Hopkins University. Based on the latest predictions by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 332,000 to 362,000 Americans could be dead from the disease by Jan. 2.
Globally, more than 69.8 million people have been infected and more than 1.5 million are known to have died.
Illinois Patch Local Business Information Center
As local and state economies slowly emerge from pandemic lockdowns, it's often hard for customers to know the conditions under which local businesses are open. The business center contains easily accessible and up-to-date information about scores of local businesses, including everything from operating hours to the availability of by-appointment services, quick website links and other contact information. It's free to use and free for businesses to join.
Here's what's happening with the coronavirus in Illinois:
Delay Holiday Parties, Travel With 'Finish Line In Sight': Ezike
"There is still time to change your holiday plans," IDPH director Dr. Ngozi Ezike said, reminding residents a coronavirus vaccine is coming.
Illinois Gun Permits Break Records Amid Pandemic, Civil Unrest
Concealed carry license holder numbers in Illinois grew from 90,301 in 2014 to 343,299 in 2020, according to the Illinois State Police.
D-205 Students Return To School Jan. 11: Officials
District aims to avoid going entirely remote and pledges "absolute fidelity" to masking.
Former Elgin Deputy Fire Chief Dies After Catching Coronavirus
Bill Freiberg, who retired in 2003 as deputy chief of the Elgin Fire Department, died Tuesday after contracting COVID-19 last month.
Chicago Bears Cancel Practice After 4th Positive Coronavirus Test
“Obviously we’re not exempt from this pandemic,” Bears coach Matt Nagy told the Chicago Sun-Times.
Mass Vaccination Is Our 'Ticket Out': Top Advocate Doctor
Top doctors with Advocate Aurora Health say vaccines up for approval are safe and effective. They plan to start inoculating staff next week
Elmhurst Cops Told They Can Do Nothing About Violators Of Order
Patch obtains the memos given to police department supervisors about pandemic enforcement.
Unions Ask For Education Workers To Be Prioritized For Vaccine
Without a vaccine, staff and students will "continue to spread the virus," said Association of Plainfield Teachers President Dawn Bullock.
COVID-19 Vaccine Registration Available For Lake County Residents
The Lake County Health Department created an online portal for residents to register to be notified when a coronavirus vaccine is available.
32 Dead In LaSalle Veterans Home Coronavirus Outbreak
Gov. J.B. Pritzker said that the "worst-case scenario" he has been trying to avoid is "now our reality in LaSalle."
Coronavirus Pandemic Claims Youngest Victim In Kane County
A woman in her 20s was among the new COVID-19 deaths reported Monday in Kane County, according to public health officials
Most Will Take Coronavirus Vaccine, But Some Skeptical: IL Survey
Some Illinois readers who were surveyed said they worry the coronavirus vaccine process has been rushed and have safety concerns.
Illinois Coronavirus Helpline:
Illinois officials say a state helpline has been set up to provide emotional support and quick answers to questions about the coronavirus pandemic. Illinoisans can test "TALK" to 55-2020 (or "HABLAR" for Spanish), and within 24 hours they will receive a call from a counselor. Residents can also text keywords such as "UNEMPLOYMENT," "FOOD" or "SHELTER," to the same number to receive additional information about those topics.
Coronavirus by the numbers:
Illinois:
Total number of coronavirus cases: 832,951
Confirmed Deaths: 14,050
People tested: 11,586,296
Recovered: Illinois does not provide exact numbers of recovered cases, but says the recovery rate is 97 percent.
Nationwide:
Total number of coronavirus cases: 15,667,526
Deaths: 292,856
People tested: 213,015,816
Recovered: 5,985,047
Global:
Total number of coronavirus cases: 69,874,432
Deaths: 1,587,991
People tested: No data available
Recovered: 45,058,775
Sources: Johns Hopkins University and IDPH
Tips from the CDC on dealing with coronavirus:
While the best way to prevent illness is to avoid virus exposure, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention generally recommends taking these actions to prevent the spread of viruses:
Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
Stay home when you are sick.
Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipes.
Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom, before eating, and after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing.
What to do if you're sick:
Call head if you're planning to visit your doctor:
If you have a medical appointment, call the health care provider and tell them that you have or may have COVID-19. This will help the health care provider's office take steps to keep other people from getting infected or exposed.
Stay home unless you must see a doctor:
Stay home: People who are mildly ill with COVID-19 are able to isolate at home during their illness. You should restrict activities outside your home, except for getting medical care.
Avoid public areas: Do not go to work, school, or public areas.
Avoid public transportation: Avoid using public transportation, ride-sharing or taxis.
Separate yourself from other people and animals in your home:
Stay away from others: As much as possible, you should stay in a specific room and away from other people in your home. Also, you should use a separate bathroom, if available.
Limit contact with pets and animals: You should restrict contact with pets and other animals while you are sick with COVID-19, just as you would around other people. Although there have not been reports of pets or other animals becoming sick with COVID-19, it is still recommended that people sick with COVID-19 limit contact with animals until more information is known about the virus.
When possible, have another member of your household care for your animals while you are sick. If you are sick with COVID-19, avoid contact with your pet, including petting, snuggling, being kissed or licked and sharing food. If you must care for your pet or be around animals while you are sick, wash your hands before and after you interact with pets and wear a face mask. See COVID-19 and Animals for more information.
Avoid sharing personal household items:
Do not share: You should not share dishes, drinking glasses, cups, eating utensils, towels, or bedding with other people or pets in your home.
Wash thoroughly after use: After using these items, they should be washed thoroughly with soap and water.
Masks:
CDC recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain (e.g., grocery stores and pharmacies), especially in areas of significant community-based transmission. CDC also advises the use of simple cloth face coverings to slow the spread of the virus and help people who may have the virus and do not know it from transmitting it to others. Cloth face coverings fashioned from household items or made at home from common materials at low cost can be used as an additional, voluntary public health measure.
Cloth face coverings should not be placed on young children under age 2, anyone who has trouble breathing, or is unconscious, incapacitated or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance.
The cloth face coverings recommended are not surgical masks or N-95 respirators. Those are critical supplies that must continue to be reserved for healthcare workers and other medical first responders, as recommended by current CDC guidance.
To donate personal protective equipment (PPE), email PPE.donations@illinois.gov. For health questions about COVID-19, call the state coronavirus hotline at 800-889-3931 or email dph.sick@illinois.gov.
This article originally appeared on the Across Illinois Patch
