Illinois Coronavirus Update Aug. 11: 195,399 Cases, 7,637 Deaths
ILLINOIS — State health officials on Monday announced 1,319 new cases of the coronavirus and 1 additional death from COVID-19, the respiratory illness caused by the virus. The statewide totals now stand at 195,399 confirmed infections and 7,637 known deaths. Another 1,300 probable cases and 209 probable deaths are not included in the official totals.
The latest deaths include:
Cumberland County: 1 female 90s
As of Sunday night, 1,481 people were hospitalized with COVID-19 across the state. Of those, 352 were in intensive care and 138 were on ventilators, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health.
The statewide positive-test rate now stands at 4.1 percent, up from a low of 2.4 percent last month. In the past 24 hours, labs in Illinois have processed 32,353 coronavirus tests, for a total of more than 3.1 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 could trigger new restrictions in a given region.
State officials said last week that 13 Illinois counties are currently at a "warning level" for a surge of cases, including Cass, Coles, Grundy, Iroquois, Jackson, Monroe, Perry, Saline, St. Clair, Tazewell, Union, Williamson and Winnebago.
"These counties saw cases or outbreaks associated with businesses, long-term care facilities, large social gatherings, and out of state travel," officials said. "There have been several instances of multiple cases among family members in the same, large household. Students returning to universities and colleges are also driving the recent increase in cases in several communities. Many students are not wearing face coverings or social distancing and are gathering in large groups and at bars."
Several of the counties listed are taking steps to slow the spread of the virus, including working with county health boards to expand contact tracing and cancelling events and festivals, officials said. On Friday, Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced new emergency rules that would make it a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $2,500 for a business to flout masking and social distancing requirements.
The rules do not apply to individuals, however the governor said Monday that fining individuals who refuse to wear masks may also be worth considering.
"People who refuse to wear a mask, people who are entering public premises … if they're absolutely refusing in public, they're putting other people at risk, so it's worthy of considering a fine at a local level," Pritzker said Monday, unveiling a new $5 million media campaign to encourage mask wearing.
The governor noted that in countries with a high rate of mask compliance, coronavirus cases have dropped to "near zero."
The United States now has more than 5 million confirmed coronavirus infections, and at least 163,505 Americans have died from COVID-19, according to Johns Hopkins University.
Based on the latest predictions by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 175,000 to 190,000 Americans could be dead from the disease by Aug. 29.
Globally, more than 20.1 million people have been infected and 737,224 are known to have died.
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.
Here's what's happening with the coronavirus in Illinois:
Big Ten Conference Cancels College Football, Fall Sports: Reports
University leaders reportedly voted 12-2 Sunday to call off college athletics amid the coronavirus pandemic.
HPHS Staff Member Tests Positive For Coronavirus, Principal Says
The Highland Park High School staff member's positive test came after a worker contracted COVID-19, halting construction on the cafeteria.
6 COVID Cases Confirmed At Orland Park Mosque, 3 Hospitalized
The Orland Park Prayer Center is shut down after six regular members tested positive for COVID-19, cancelling all daily and Friday prayers.
New Emergency Mask Rules Proposed For Businesses, Schools
Gov. J.B. Pritzker issued emergency rules making it a misdemeanor for a business to flout face covering requirements.
Pop-Up Pantry To Feed Hundreds Monday In Aurora
The City of Aurora is hosting a pop-up food pantry from 9 a.m. to noon Monday in Phillips Park.
Springfield Schools Ban PJs, Coats At Home During Remote Classes
Should a school district be allowed to tell your kid what to wear when they're at home? Some parents don't think so.
IHSA Releases Sport-Specific Guidelines For Fall Athletics
High school sports are scheduled to officially begin Monday with a number of new guidelines in place amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Kendall Co. Coronavirus Cases Surpass 1,400; Positivity Rate High
According to a release from the Kendall County Health Department, there are 1,411 cases with 910 in recovery and 25 deaths, as of Saturday.
COVID-19 Violations On Rise At Bars, Restaurants
Lake and McHenry County health departments have field more than 300 complaints regarding mask, social distancing violations since May 29.
D-205 Faces Divisions Over Reopening Plan
District criticizes union in mass email and indicates drawbacks for families who choose entirely remote learning.
Illinois State Rep. Asks Judge To Jail Gov. Pritzker For Contempt
Gov. J.B. Pritzker should be thrown in Clay County jail if he refuses to rescind his coronavirus executive orders, Rep. Darren Bailey said.
Illinois Sees 5th Fastest Recovery Amid Pandemic: WalletHub
While Illinois ranks high when compared to other states, the economic situation is still bad, and signs point to a slowing recovery.
Illinois Congressman Rodney Davis Tests Positive For Coronavirus
The Taylorsville Republican becomes the first member of Congress from Illinois to contract the COVID-19 virus.
Schools To Start Year Remotely At Most Niles Township Schools
Find out which of Niles Township High School District 219's nine feeder districts plan to offer families the option in-person instruction.
Coronavirus by the numbers:
Illinois:
Total number of coronavirus cases: 195,399
Deaths: 7,637
People tested: 3,106,341
Recovered: Illinois does not provide exact numbers of recovered cases, but says the recovery rate is 95 percent.
Nationwide:
Total number of coronavirus cases: 5,097,164
Deaths: 163,505
People tested: 62,513,174
Recovered: 1,670,755
Global:
Total number of coronavirus cases: 20,124,437
Deaths: 737,224
People tested: No data available
Recovered: 12,373,784
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
