Illinois Coronavirus Update Aug. 12: 198,593 Cases, 7,672 Deaths
ILLINOIS — State health officials on Wednesday announced 1,645 new cases of the coronavirus and 16 additional death from COVID-19, the respiratory illness caused by the virus. The statewide totals now stand at 198,593 confirmed infections and 7,672 known deaths. Another 1,300 probable cases and 209 probable deaths are not included in the official totals.
The latest deaths include:
Cook County: 1 male 60s, 1 male 70s
DeKalb County: 1 female 70s
Douglas Count; 1 male 50s
Iroquois County: 1 female 80s
Jefferson County: 1 female 80s
Lake County: 1 male 70s, 1 male 80s
LaSalle County: 1 male 80s
Madison County: 1 female 70s, 1 female 80s
Perry County: 1 female 90s
Rock Island County: 1 male 80s, 1 male 90s
St. Clair County: 1 female 90s
Williamson County: 1 male 80s
As of Tuesday night, 1,459 people were hospitalized with COVID-19 across the state. Of those, 336 were in intensive care and 127 were on ventilators, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health.
The statewide positive-test rate remains at 4.1 percent, up from a low of 2.4 percent last month. In the past 24 hours, labs in Illinois have processed 42,098 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.
In a party-line vote Tuesday, lawmakers approved new emergency rules that would allow local public health departments to fine businesses and close schools if they refuse to comply with capacity limits or fail to enforce mask orders. The rules do not apply to individuals.
The United States now has more than 5.1 million confirmed coronavirus infections, and at least 165,270 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 20.3 million people have been infected and 744,733 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:
'A Make-Or-Break Moment For IL, Chicago': Gov. Urges Compliance
Gov. J.B. Pritzker called on residents and businesses to "take responsibility" to stave off a sustained spike in new coronavirus cases.
Businesses That Don't Enforce Pritzker's Mask Mandate Face Fines
In a party-line vote Tuesday, lawmakers allowed new emergency public health regulations to take effect.
Big Ten Conference Postpones Fall Sports Until Spring
Uncertainty over medical risks from the coronavirus means college football and other sports cannot go ahead this fall, officials said.
Organizers Reimagine St. Charles Scarecrow Festival Amid Pandemic
The St. Charles Business Alliance found a way to still hold the festival this fall, though it'll be a bit different than in years past.
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.
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.
Coronavirus by the numbers:
Illinois:
Total number of coronavirus cases: 196,948
Deaths: 7,657
People tested: 3,147,703
Recovered: Illinois does not provide exact numbers of recovered cases, but says the recovery rate is 95 percent.
Nationwide:
Total number of coronavirus cases: 5,150,590
Deaths: 165,270
People tested: 63,252,257
Recovered: 1,714,960
Global:
Total number of coronavirus cases: 20,388,408
Deaths: 744,733
People tested: No data available
Recovered: 12,616,973
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
