Illinois Coronavirus Update June 25: 138,540 Cases, 6,770 Deaths
ILLINOIS — State health officials announced 715 new cases of the Coronavirus on Wednesday and 64 additional deaths from COVID-19, the respiratory illness caused by the virus. The statewide totals now stand at 138,540 confirmed infections and 6,770 deaths, not counting another 1,000 probable cases and an additional 204 probable deaths.
The latest deaths include:
Cook County: 1 male 30s, 1 male 40s, 2 females 50s, 2 males 50s, 9 females 60s, 6 males 60s, 5 females 70s, 5 males 70s, 3 females 80s, 1 male 80s, 4 females 90s
DuPage County: 1 female 50s, 1 male 60s, 1 male 70s
Grundy County: 1 female 80s
Jackson County: 1 female 90s
Kane County: 1 female 80s, 1 male 90s
Lake County: 1 male 70s, 1 female 80s, 1 male 80s, 1 female 90s
Madison County: 1 female 90s
McHenry County: 1 female 70s
Peoria County: 1 female 80s
St. Clair County: 2 males 70s, 1 female 90s
Will County: 1 female 60s, 1 female 70s, 1 female 80s
Winnebago County: 1 male 60s, 2 females 70s, 1 male 70s, 1 female 80s
Over the past 24 hours, labs in Illinois have processed 29,331 coronavirus tests, for a total of more than 1.4 million since the pandemic began. The state's rolling, seven-day positivity rate has increased to 3 percent after holding steady at 2 percent for more than a week. According to Johns Hopkins University, a positivity rate of less than 12 percent is a good measure of whether enough tests are being conducted in a given state.
The United States as a whole has tested more than 28.5 million people for the coronavirus as of Thursday. The country now has more than 2.3 million confirmed coronavirus infections, according to Johns Hopkins University, and at least 121,979 Americans have died from COVID-19.
Gov. J.B. Pritzker argues that "Illinois has done better than almost every other highly populated state" in controlling the coronavirus, and both new cases and fatalities are trending downward across the state, but federal officials say they are preparing for a possible second wave of infections in the fall. Nationally, new cases are at an all-time high after falling steadily for weeks, largely driven by spikes in states that have flaunted CDC guidance on mask-wearing and social distancing.
The CDC last month projected between 124,000 and 140,000 total deaths by July 4. The country is rapidly approaching that rage, and the agency's latest model predicts up to 150,000 deaths by July 18.
Globally, more than 9.4 million people have been infected and 483,247 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 like "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:
Anti-Abortion Group Sues Pritzker Over Gathering Restrictions
Illinois Right to Life filed a federal lawsuit against Gov. J.B. Pritzker claiming they haven't been exempted from gathering limits.
School Reopening Guidelines 'Too Vague,' Education Groups Say
Chicago Teachers Union President Jesse Sharkey said the state's guidelines are "too general and too vague to serve as a useful roadmap."
Schools To Reopen In Fall With Masks, Coronavirus Rules: Pritzker
In the event of a second wave of coronavirus or a reversal of statewide rules, schools could revert to e-learning and online classes.
Panera Employee Gets Coronavirus, Bakery Reopens Next Day
The restaurant where the employee works was cleaned overnight, company officials said, and reopened at its usual time Wednesday morning.
IL Phase 4: Here's What Reopens, What's Allowed
Gov. J.B. Pritzker has updated his guidelines for Phase 4 to also allow gyms to reopen and indoor seating at restaurants with guidelines.
Tivoli Theatre Won't Reopen Friday After all
"We look forward to reopening when capacities are able to increase," Classic Cinemas wrote in a Facebook post.
Some Coronavirus Stimulus Funds Appear To Be Junk Mail
Unfortunately, some of those stimulus checks are getting tossed.
Movies, Zoo, Summer Camps, Gyms In Chicago Set To Reopen Friday
Museums, summer camps, Lincoln Park Zoo and indoor dining are set to reopen with public health safety restrictions Friday.
Kane County Animal Control To Offer Drive-Thru Rabies Vaccines
The county will host its annual rabies vaccination clinic from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday in Geneva.
Batavia Boardwalk Shops Open For Season, Drive People Downtown
Eight new shops in downtown Batavia could play a key role in helping other businesses in the area amid the coronavirus pandemic.
145 Coronavirus Deaths At Long-Term-Care Centers In Kane County
Data shows residents at Kane County long-term-care facilities represent about 12 percent of all coronavirus cases but 57 percent of deaths.
Lake County Resumes Weddings, Virtually
The 19th Judicial Circuit Court suspended weddings and civil union ceremonies in March due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Geneva Garage Sale Canceled, But Swedish Days To Return Virtually
Both events were called off due to the coronavirus pandemic, but the Swedish Days Festival will return with virtual celebrations this week.
FBI Agent And Other Illinois Job Openings
Many companies are looking to hire, despite soaring unemployment, and the state has set up a website to help
Mother Accused Of Leaving 1-Year-Old, Sibling In Hot Car To Shop
The Deerfield woman told Buffalo Grove police she left kids unattended "because of COVID."
Coronavirus by the numbers:
Illinois:
Total number of coronavirus cases: 137,825
Deaths: 6,707
People tested: 1,399,510
Recovered: No data available
Nationwide:
Total number of coronavirus cases: 2,381,369
Deaths: 121,979
People tested: 28,567,355
Recovered: 660,469
Global:
Total number of coronavirus cases: 9,457,902
Deaths: 483,247
People tested: No data available
Recovered: 4,767,027
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 1-800-889-3931 or email dph.sick@illinois.gov.
This article originally appeared on the Across Illinois Patch
