Illinois Coronavirus Update July 31: 178,837 Cases, 7,495 Deaths
ILLINOIS — State health officials on Friday announced 1,941 new cases of the coronavirus — the most since May 24 — and 21 additional deaths from COVID-19, the respiratory illness caused by the virus. The spike comes as health officials announced 11 Illinois counties are at a warning level for a surge in cases. The statewide total now stands at 178,837 confirmed infections and 7,495 known deaths. Another 1,281 probable cases and 197 probable deaths are not included in the official totals.
The latest deaths include:
Cook County: 1 female 40s, 1 male 50s, 3 females 60s, 1 female 70s, 2 males 70s, 1 female 80s, 2 males 80s, 3 males 90s
DeKalb County: 1 female 80s
DuPage County: 1 male 70s
Kane County: 1 male 40s, 1 female 70s
Kendall County: 1 female 50s
St. Clair County: 1 female 80s
Will County: 1 female 90s
The state is headed in the wrong direction, Illinois public health director Ngozi Ezike made clear this week, asking Illinoisans to make small sacrifices now to avoid large ones later.
As of Thursday night, 1,369 people were hospitalized with COVID-19 across the state. Of those, 346 were in intensive care and 148 were on ventilators, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health.
"We are seeing what much of the country is seeing in terms of a resurgence in the number of cases," Ezike said. "Not only have we started to see an increase in the cases over the last several weeks, but we're also seeing a slight increase in hospital admissions, as well.
"These are clearly indicators that we are headed in the wrong direction."
Ezike said that over the last 30 days, every region in Illinois has seen significant increases in case numbers and hospitilizations. (See how your region is doing here.) She asked people to consider going back to ordering take-out only from restaurants, canceling family reunions and bachelor parties, or other taking other measures to slow the spread of the virus.
"We are still having to make sacrifices, because this pandemic is not over. And each of us is called to make that personal sacrifice now to avoid making a much larger one down the road," Ezike said. "The virus is not done with us, no matter how much we want to be done with it."
As the numbers head in the wrong direction, Gov. J.B. Pritzker also warned that "if things don't change, a reversal (of reopening) is where we're headed."
He placed new restrictions on youth sports this week, saying outbreaks tied to sports camps in Lake Zurich and a softball league in Knox County were "particularly troubling."
"When the multi-billion dollar sports leagues with multi-million dollar athletes are struggling to protect their players it is obvious there won't be enough protection for kids on our school's playing fields," Pritzker said.
In the past 24 hours, labs in Illinois have processed 49,782 coronavirus tests, for a total of more than 2.6 million since the pandemic began. The state's rolling, seven-day positivity rate rose to 3.9 percent — half a percentage point higher than last week and 1.5 percentage points higher than last month.
According to Johns Hopkins University, a positivity rate of less than 5 percent is a good measure of whether enough tests are being conducted in a given state.
As of Thursday, the United States as a whole had tested more than 54.4 million people for the coronavirus. The country now has more than 4.5 million confirmed coronavirus infections, and, according to Johns Hopkins University, at least 152,878 Americans have died from COVID-19.
Based on the latest predictions by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 168,000 to 182,000 Americans could be dead from the disease by Aug. 22.
Globally, more than 17.4 million people have been infected and 675,167 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:
11 Illinois Counties At Coronavirus 'Warning Level,' IDPH Says
Public health officials warn positivity rates are rising in each of the state's COVID-19 emergency management regions.
'Big Tent Revival' Gathering Defies City's Mask Mandate
Organizer Torben Sondergaard took to social media to request assistance from President Trump as religious event continues through Sunday.
Private Prom Attendees Should Quarantine: Health Department
The health department said it discovered that up to 270 people, including high school aged students and chaperones had attended the event.
Universal Testing Keeps COVID-19 In Check At Oswego Nursing Home
The Symphony at the Tillers of Oswego has reported only nine deaths due to its "robust testing regimen" and "infection control protocol."
Officials Urge Coronavirus Survivors To Donate Plasma, Save Lives
Kane County Health officials are calling on anyone who tested positive to donate their plasma to help those still fighting COVID-19.
Businesses Seek Slice Of Kane County's Coronavirus Relief Funds
County officials are working out how to distribute $93 million in federal coronavirus funding, and local businesses hope they're included.
Deerfield Teens Raise Money For Coronavirus Essential Workers
Through their nonprofit, the high school seniors sold more than 6,000 boxes of candy with profits going to NorthShore Glenbrook Hospital.
How Much Has ETHS Spent On PPE To Prepare For School Year?
Over 40 percent of spending on personal protective equipment and disinfectant went to order customized cloth masks with the school logo.
Masks And More Outlet Coming To Orland Park This August
Personal protection equipment, sanitizer, disinfectant wipes and more will be available at a new outlet in Orland Park, thanks to PulseTV.
Teachers Unions Warn Of Strikes If Schools Reopen Unsafely
"No avenue or action is off the table," the chiefs of the Illinois Education Association and Illinois Federation of Teachers said.
FDA Recalls 75 Hand Sanitizers That May Be In Illinois Homes
As the coronavirus persists and demand for hand sanitizers grows, people in Illinois may have brands that contain dangerous methanol.
Double J: Coronavirus Case Won't Close Essington Road Bar
Double J recently celebrated its 20th anniversary as a Joliet business. It's located at 1001 Essington Road.
School Reopening Tracker: Illinois Districts Start Backtracking On Hybrid Plans
Leaders are expected to balance public health guidelines and educate students safely without additional money from the state.
Mobile Coronavirus Test Unit To Travel Through Kane Co. This Week
The mobile unit is scheduled to make stops in Geneva, St. Charles, Elgin, Carpentersville and Aurora.
Coronavirus by the numbers:
Illinois:
Total number of coronavirus cases: 178,837
Deaths: 7,495
People tested: 2,699,568
Recovered: Illinois does not provide exact numbers of recovered cases, but says the recovery rate is 95 percent.
Nationwide:
Total number of coronavirus cases: 4,536,240
Deaths: 152,878
People tested: 54,644,715
Recovered: 1,414,155
Global:
Total number of coronavirus cases: 17,401,496
Deaths: 675,167
People tested: No data available
Recovered: 10,186,335
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
