IL Reports Record 6,363 New Coronavirus Cases, 56 More Deaths
ILLINOIS — State health officials on Thursday reported a record 6,363 new cases of the coronavirus and 56 more deaths from COVID-19, the respiratory illness caused by the virus. The statewide totals now stand at 395,458 confirmed infections and 9,675 known deaths. Another 4,713 probable cases and 270 probable deaths are not included in the official totals.
The latest deaths include:
Adams County: 1 male 70s
Christian County: 1 male 80s
Clark County: 1 female 80s
Clay County: 1 female 70s
Clinton County: 1 female 90s, 1 male 90s
Cook County: 1 male 40s, 3 females 60s, 1 male 60s, 1 female 70s, 1 male 70s, 1 female 80s, 2 males 80s, 1 female 90s, 2 males 90s
DeKalb County: 1 male 80s
DuPage County; 1 female 40s, 1 female 80s
Edgar County: 1 male 70s
Ford County: 1 female 70s
Kane County: 2 males 60s, 1 female 70s
Lake County: 1 female 80s, 2 females 90s, 1 male 90s
LaSalle County: 2 females 90s
Livingston County: 1 female 70s
Macon County: 1 male 30s
Marion County: 1 male 70s, 1 female 80s, 1 male 80s
McDonough County: 1 male 60s
Morgan County: 1 male 60s
Ogle County: 1 male 60s
Rock Island County: 1 male 70s, 1 female 90s
St. Clair County: 1 female 60s, 1 female 80s
Tazewell County: 1 male 70s, 1 male 90s
Wabash County: 1 male 70s
Wayne County: 1 male 90s
Will County: 1 male 70s, 1 female 80s, 2 males 80s
Winnebago County: 1 male 70s, 1 male 80s, 1 male 90s
The new record comes as more regions impose new restrictions on resturants, social gatherings and school sports, though some restaurants, businesses and institutions are challenging or openly defying the governor's orders.
Hospitalizations also continued to rise across the state Thursday, jumping almost 6 percent in just a day. ICU occupancy rose 7 percent and the number of patients on ventilators rose almost 11 percent in the same time period. As of Tuesday night, 3,030 people were hospitalized with COVID-19 across Illinois, including 643 in intensive care and 269 on ventilators.
The statewide test positivity rate — a rolling, seven-day average — rose another 0.2 percentage points to 6.9 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.
"We are getting close to the entire state implementing mitigation measures," IDPH Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike said this week. "This is not just a warning, but a call to action. We continue to move backwards, losing all the ground we had gained over the summer."
Fifty-one counties remain at a "warning level" for a surge in coronavirus cases, including Adams, Bond, Boone, Carroll, Cass, Christian, Clay, Clinton, Crawford, DeKalb, Douglas, Edwards, Fayette, Ford, Franklin, Gallatin, Greene, Hamilton, Henderson, Jersey, Jo Daviess, Johnson, Kane, Kendall, Knox, LaSalle, Lee, Macon, Macoupin, McDonough, McHenry, Mercer, Morgan, Moultrie, Ogle, Perry, Pike, Pulaski, Rock Island, Saline, Shelby, Stephenson, Union, Vermilion, Wabash, Warren, Wayne, Whiteside, Will, Williamson, and Winnebago.
See how your region is doing here.
"Although the reason for counties reaching a warning level varies, some of the common factors for an increase in cases and outbreaks are associated with gatherings in people’s homes, weddings and funerals, bars and clubs, university and college parties as well as college sports teams, family gatherings, long-term care facilities, correctional centers, schools, and cases among the community at large, especially people in their 20s," according to the Illinois Department of Public Health.
State health officials also pointed to businesses "blatantly disregarding mitigation measures" and many individuals not social distancing or wearing masks as reasons for the surge.
The United States now has more than 8.8 million confirmed coronavirus infections and at least 228,194 Americans have died from COVID-19, according to Johns Hopkins University. Based on the latest predictions by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 243,000 to 256,000 Americans could be dead from the disease by Nov. 21.
Globally, more than 44.7 million people have been infected and more than 1.1 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:
Illinois Restaurant Association To Vote On Indoor Dining Ban Suit
"Unless the state of Illinois takes a more reasonable approach to mitigation, thousands of restaurants are at risk of permanent closure."
Pritzker Fights Order Blocking New Restrictions At Geneva Eatery
Gov. J.B. Pritzker is appealing a restraining order that stops public officials from enforcing a recently imposed indoor dining ban.
IHSA Defies Pritzker, Basketball Set To Start On Time
The Illinois High School Association Board also voted Wednesday to move the sport of wrestling from the winter season to the summer.
Emails, Secret Report Show Politics Of Science Guiding Pritzker
KONKOL COLUMN: A look behind the statistics used by Pritzker to decide virus restrictions shows that better science got disregarded.
McHenry Co. Restaurants Join Fight To Stay Open
A Crystal Lake attorney is filing a lawsuit for at least 30 restaurants to allow them to stay open despite the governor's order to close.
Coronavirus Indoor Dining Ban Imposed On Lake, McHenry Counties
"We continue to move backwards, losing all the ground we had gained over the summer," IDPH Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike said.
Region 9 Shutdown: How Will Restaurants, Bars Survive?
We are looking for owners of bars and restaurants to share how the pandemic has affected business and what the future holds.
Florida Added To Emergency Travel Order; Michigan Could Be Next
The list includes 31 states and Puerto Rico, meaning Chicago residents can't travel to more than half the country without quarantining.
No Indoor Dining In Suburban Cook: New Coronavirus Restrictions
New rules begin Wednesday in Region 10 — the state's first region to see increased restrictions due to its rising COVID-19 hospitalizations.
Nearly 500 COVID-19 Cases Linked To IL Schools: See Where
Teachers, school leaders and parents want state health officials to provide more info on where the cases are happening.
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: 395,458
Deaths: 9,675
People tested: 7,542,098
Recovered: Illinois does not provide exact numbers of recovered cases, but says the recovery rate is 96 percent.
Nationwide:
Total number of coronavirus cases: 8,905,868
Deaths: 228,194
People tested: 139,513,001
Recovered: 3,518,140
Global:
Total number of coronavirus cases: 44,708,172
Deaths: 1,177,077
People tested: No data available
Recovered: 30,130,418
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
