Illinois Coronavirus Update Sept. 29: 289,639 Cases, 8,614 Deaths
ILLINOIS — State health officials announced on Monday 1,709 new cases of the coronavirus and 13 additional deaths from COVID-19, the respiratory illness caused by the virus. Over the weekend, the state added more than 4,000 new cases, marking the 4th time in a week the state reported more than 2,000 new cases in a single day.
The statewide totals now stand at 289,639 confirmed infections and 8,614 known deaths. Another 2,489 probable cases and 244 probable deaths are not included in the official totals.
The latest deaths include:
Coles County: 1 female 80s
Cook County: 1 male 30s, 1 female 50s, 1 male 50s, 1 male 60s, 1 male 70s, 2 males 80s
Crawford County: 1 male 70s
DeWitt County: 1 male 80s
Madison County: 1 female 80s
Marion County: 1 male 80s
Richland County: 1 female 90s
Gov. J.B. Pritzker warned last week that Region 1 in the northwest of the state is seeing infections rise at "a concerning rate," with a positivity rate of 7.5 percent, just below the threshold that would trigger new restrictions on restaurants and other businesses.
Seventeen counties remain at a "warning level" for a surge in cases. They include: Bond, Boone, Cass, Christian, Clinton, Crawford, DeWitt, Fayette, Grundy, Hamilton, Macon, Menard, Peoria, Putnam, Washington, Wayne, and Winnebago.
See how your region is doing here.
"Although the reasons for counties reaching a warning level varies, some of the common factors for an increase in cases and outbreaks are associated with university and college parties as well as college sports teams, large gatherings and events, bars and clubs, weddings and funerals, long-term care facilities, correctional centers, manufacturing plants, schools, and cases among the community at large," health officials said. "General transmission of the virus in the community is also increasing."
Hospitalizations declined over the weekend after spiking last week, but ticked up again slightly Monday. As of Sunday night, 1,491 people were hospitalized with COVID-19 across the state, including 346 in intensive care and 135 on ventilators, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health.
The statewide positivity rate rose to 3.7 percent. The number is a rolling, seven-day average and is 0.1 percentage points higher than on Friday. In the past 24 hours, labs in Illinois have processed 41,142 coronavirus tests, for a total of more than 5.5 million since the pandemic began.
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.
The United States now has more than 7.1 million confirmed coronavirus infections, and at least 205,107 Americans have died from COVID-19, according to Johns Hopkins University. Based on the latest predictions by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 214,000 to 226,000 Americans could be dead from the disease by Oct. 17.
Globally, more than 33.4 million people have been infected and more than 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:
47 Days On Ventilator: 19-Year-Old COVID-19 Survivor Has Message
Jibriel Tawalbeh, 19, of Palos Hills, was the last person anyone would have expected to become critically ill from COVID-19.
2nd Staff Member Tests Positive For Coronavirus At Deerfield High
The staff member is in isolation and the school is working with the Lake County Health Department.
Coronavirus Life: Your Guide To Voting During The Pandemic
What you need to know so you can vote safely in the 2020 elections—and make sure your vote counts
D202 Students Will Return To School In Groups Starting Oct. 26
Superintendent Dr. Lane Abrell said that masks will be essential, and they are not a "political statement or a First Amendment issue."
Unemployment Triples In Northbrook Since August 2019
The coronavirus drove unemployment rate in Northbrook to 9.7 percent in August, up from 3 percent a year ago.
Coronavirus Death Scoreboard Vandalized In Northbrook
This is the fourth incident since it went up last week, the latest coming Tuesday as Village Board was discussing whether it could stay up.
Plainfield To Celebrate Halloween With Strict Safety Guidelines
Parents who take their kids out should have masks or face coverings on and incorporate masks in costumes as well.
Trick-Or-Treat Hours Extended In Aurora Due To Coronavirus
Kids in Aurora will have more time than ever to trick-or-treat this year, with hours extended to encourage social distancing.
Mobile Coronavirus Test Lab Sets Up In Batavia This Week
Tests will be available Monday and Tuesday at the old Sam's Club building at 501 N. Randall Road.
Kids Will Trick-Or-Treat, But Parents Wary: Illinois Patch Survey
Parents also weighed in on alternative ways to celebrate Halloween during the coronavirus pandemic.
Socially Distant Halloween Egg Hunts Might Save Trick-Or-Treating
One St. Louis resident is pitching an idea for safe trick-or-treating this year, and a local company has stepped forward to make it happen.
106 Face Layoffs As Aurora Beer Distributor Closes Amid Pandemic
Windy City Distributing is set to close permanently in October, leaving more than a hundred people out of a job.
Unemployment Up 134% In Kane County Since August 2019
The coronavirus drove Kane County's unemployment rate to 9.6 percent in August, up from 4.1 percent a year ago.
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: 289,639
Deaths: 8,614
People tested: 5,520,652
Recovered: Illinois does not provide exact numbers of recovered cases, but says the recovery rate is 96 percent.
Nationwide:
Total number of coronavirus cases: 7,150,824
Deaths: 205,107
People tested: 102,342,416
Recovered: 2,794,608
Global:
Total number of coronavirus cases: 33,417,386
Deaths: 1,002,864
People tested: No data available
Recovered: 23,193,238
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
