Illinois Coronavirus Update May 15: 87,937 Cases, 3,928 Deaths
ILLINOIS — State officials on Thursday announced 3,239 new cases of the coronavirus and 138 additional deaths, bringing the statewide total to 87,937 confirmed infections and 3,928 known deaths.
The latest deaths include:
Coles County: 1 male 60s, 1 female 80s
Cook County: 4 males 30s, 1 female 40s, 2 males 40s, 3 females 50s, 10 males 50s, 4 females 60s, 13 males 60s, 4 females 70s, 10 males 70s, 1 unknown 70s, 9 females 80s, 15 males 80s, 11 females 90s, 1 female 100+
DuPage County: 2 males 70s, 3 females 80s, 3 females 90s
Jefferson County: 1 female 90s
Kane County: 1 male 30s, 1 female 60s, 1 male 70s, 1 male 80s, 2 females 90s
Kendall County: 2 females 80s
Lake County: 1 male 60s, 2 females 80s, 2 males 80s, 2 females 90s, 1 male 90s
Lee County: 1 male 50s
McHenry County: 1 female 60s
Sangamon County: 1 male 70s
St. Clair County: 1 male 50s, 1 male 80s
Wayne County: 1 male 80s
Will County: 1 male 40s, 1 female 50s, 1 male 50s, 1 female 60s, 3 males 60s, 1 female 70s, 3 males 70s, 2 females 80s, 2 males 80s, 1 female 90s, 1 female 100+
Ninety-nine of 102 Illinois counties now report cases, and deaths range from people younger than one year old to older than 100, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health.
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Gov. J.B. Pritzker said Thursday that all regions of the state are on track to move into the next phase of Restore Illinois, his plan to reopen the state, on May 29. But he called on Illinoisans to "stay the course" to make sure that happens.
Though his stay-at-home order has already survived multiple challenges from Republican lawmakers and a church, the governor is now being sued by three more business owners, including the owner of a pair of biker's bars, leading to the memorably titled court cases of Poopy v. Pritzker and Dookie v. Pritzker. Some local officials are also bucking the stay-at-home order. Several mayors are asking permission to reopen ahead of schedule, and Kendall County Sheriff Dwight Baird has said he will not enforce the governor's order.
Pritzker challenged Illinois lawmakers to "step up and lead" instead of "playing to the crowd that ignores science and carries symbols of hate" and promised "there will be consequences" for businesses that reopen without approval.
The governor said earlier this week that he now expects coronavirus cases won't peak in Illinois until mid-June, a change from previous models that had shown the peak coming by mid-May.
"In many ways, this news is disheartening," Pritzker said, explaining that keeping the curve flat is saving lives, but the virus won't go away until a vaccine is developed. That won't happen until at least next year, according to the White House's most optimistic estimates.
In the meantime, experts say testing, contact tracing and health care capacity are keys to safely lifting lockdowns.
Within the past 24 hours, labs in Illinois have processed 22,678 coronavirus tests for a total of 512,037 since the pandemic began. Harvard economists say about 19,000 tests per day are necessary to accurately gauge the number of infections in the state, a prerequisite to reopening safely. The state has only intermittently exceeded that number.
The United States as a whole has tested more than 10 million people for the coronavirus. After early testing failures that left officials unable to track the spread of the disease, that number is improving, but it still represents only about 3 percent of the U.S. population. Spain has tested about 5.3 percent of its population, Italy, more than 4.7 percent, and Germany about 3.7 percent, according to the World Health Organization. South Korea, which reported its first coronavirus case on the same day as the United States, has tested only about 1.4 percent of its population, but it was able to do so much more quickly than the U.S., and it has reported only 260 COVID-19 deaths in the entire country as of May 15.
The United States now has more than 1.4 million confirmed coronavirus infections, according to Johns Hopkins University, and at least 85,906 Americans have died from COVID-19, the respiratory illness caused by the virus. Globally, more than 4.4 million people have been infected and 302,493 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:
Reopening: All Illinois Regions On Track To Move Into Next Phase
All regions under Gov. J.B. Pritzker's Restore Illinois coronavirus plan are currently on track to move into Phase 3 of reopening.
Pritzker Rebukes Lawmakers, Residents Pushing To Reopen IL
Gov. J.B. Pritzker promised "consequences" for businesses that reopen without approval and urged lawmakers not to "ignore the data."
Budget, Coronavirus Crisis On Agenda As Illinois Lawmakers Return
House members are set to convene in the Bank of Springfield Center for the three-day special session, while senators gather in the Capitol.
Blue Angels Fly Over Medical Centers In Salute To Front Line
All eyes were on the sky as the Blue Angels flew over the south suburbs in tribute to health care workers in COVID-19 fight. Pics and video.
Deputies Won't Enforce Pritzker's Orders: Kane Co. Sheriff
There is no "legislated law" that applies to those who violate Gov. J.B. Pritzker's executive orders, Sheriff Ron Hain said Thursday.
Sheriff Won't Bust Graduation Parties, Wedding Receptions
He asked, at what point do we allow the coronavirus to control our life, our livelihood?
Frankfort To Lobby For Separation From Chicago In Restore IL Plan
The village of Frankfort is lobbying the governor's office for some adjustments to be made in the Restore Illinois plan.
'Poopy v. Pritzker': Business Owners Sue Over Stay-At-Home Order
All three lawsuits — Poopy v. Pritzker, Dookie v. Pritzker and Harrison v. Pritzker — argue the governor overstepped his emergency powers.
Coronavirus-Related Headaches Skyrocketing: Doctor
Dr. Lawrence Robbins, an expert on headaches and anxiety, has seen an increase in pandemic-related issues at his Riverwoods practice.
Should We Believe Gov. Pritzker's Coronavirus Testing Statistics?
KONKOL COLUMN: Gov. Pritzker wants us to believe the state with the most coronavirus tests wins, but statistics don't tell the whole story.
Retiring LFHS Choir Director Conducts 111-Part Final Performance
After 33 years directing Lake Forest High School choirs, Tim Haskett's final curtain call was a virtual one.
Memorial Day Ceremony In Orland Park Will Go Virtual
The names of the eight veterans who were recently added to the village's granite wall will be read aloud during a ceremony broadcast live.
Coronavirus by the numbers:
Illinois:
Total number of coronavirus cases: 87,937
Deaths: 3,928
People tested: 512,037
Recovered: No data available
Nationwide:
Total number of coronavirus cases: 1,417,889
Deaths: 85,906
People tested: 9,974,831
Recovered: 246,414
Global:
Total number of coronavirus cases: 4,444,670
Deaths: 302,493
People tested: No data available
Recovered: 1,588,858
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
