Illinois Coronavirus Update May 4: 63,840 Cases, 2,662 Deaths
ILLINOIS — State health officials on Monday reported 2,341 new cases of the coronavirus in Illinois and 46 additional deaths, bringing the statewide total to 63,840 confirmed cases and 2,662 deaths.
That marks a slight decline in the death rate from recent days, and Gov. J.B. Pritzker said Monday afternoon that the percentage of ICU beds occupied across the state is also down. But state officials warn another surge is possible.
According to a CDC report obtained by the New York Times, the country could see 200,000 new cases and 3,000 new deaths per day by June. The United States now has nearly 1.2 million confirmed coronavirus infections, according to Johns Hopkins University, and more than 68,326 Americans have died from COVID-19, the respiratory illness caused by the virus.
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Within the past 24 hours, labs in Illinois have completed 13,834 coronavirus tests, a slight reduction from the previous 24-hour period. The state now routinely meets its original goal of 10,000 tests per day, and so far 333,147 people have been tested for the virus statewide.
According to a Harvard study published last week, Illinois needs to conduct about 19,000 tests per day to accurately gauge the number of infections in the state, and health experts say federal and state governments' failure to test enough people is the biggest barrier to reopening the country.
The latest deaths in Illinois include:
Cook County: 1 female 20s, 1 female 30s, 1 female 40s, 1 male 50s, 2 females 60s, 1 male 60s, 2 females 70s, 3 males 70s, 6 females 80s, 1 male 80s, 1 female 90s, 1 male 90s
DuPage County: 1 male 70s, 1 female 80s, 1 male 90s
Iroquois County: 1 female 60s
Lake County: 1 male 50s, 1 female 70s, 3 males 70s, 2 females 80s, 1 male 80s
Macon County: 1 male 70s
Madison County: 1 female 60s, 1 male 90s
Monroe County: 1 male 70s
Sangamon County: 1 female 100+
St. Clair County: 1 female 80s
Will County: 1 female 30s, 1 male 50s, 3 females 70s, 1 male 80s
Winnebago County: 1 male 50s
"Our stay-at-home order and mitigation efforts have worked," Pritzker said Sunday, adding that the state has begun to return ventilators borrowed from other states as hospitalizations peak across Illinois.
On Monday, a federal judge upheld the governor's stay-at-home order that had been challenged in court by two Republican lawmakers and a Stephenson County church.
Chicago now accounts for more than a third of deaths in the state, but even as the city passed 1,000 deaths over the weekend, some Chicago residents were taking to the streets for drag races and dance parties, leading Mayor Lori Lightfoot to threaten jail time for those violating the stay-at-home order and implore at a Saturday press conference, "Don't make us treat you like a criminal."
Globally, more than 3.5 million people have been infected with the new coronavirus and nearly a quarter million have died, according to Johns Hopkins University.
Here's what's happening with the coronavirus in Illinois:
46 Coronavirus Deaths Is Illinois' Lowest Toll In Weeks
Despite the current stay-at-home order, one Illinois town plans to begin reopening this week.
La Grange ER Traffic Drops A Lot
The ER now has separate virus and nonvirus areas. "We are still here for COVID and non-COVID-related matters," one doctor said.
Police Crack Down On Coronavirus Parties, Mayor Threatens Jail
"Don't make us treat you like a criminal," warned Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot on Saturday.
Chicago Reaches 'Sobering' Milestone: 1,000 Coronavirus Deaths
Mayor Lori Lightfoot called on people to abide by the stay-at-home order: "If we don't stay the course, we're going to be in this longer."
Reopening Plan In Orland Park Includes 4 Phases
The village of Orland Park has outlined a reopening plan that features several phases.
Federal Judge Upholds Gov. Pritzker's Stay-At-Home Order
Pastor Steve Cassell last week filed a federal lawsuit accusing Pritzker of showing an "illegal and discriminatory hostility" to churches.
Teen Sweetens Day For Front Line Workers With Cupcake Deliveries
Kendall Stein, of Roselle, is just 17 years old, but her business, Smenge, is already making a difference in the community.
One-Fifth Of Residents At Bria Of Geneva Dead From Coronavirus
Bria of Geneva has the third-most deaths of any long-term-care facility in Illinois and ranks fifth for the number of cases.
La Grange Coronavirus Cases Jump By 50 Percent
Village's rate of cases higher than many nearby towns.
Domestic Violence Amid Virus 'Everyone's Business:' Pritzker
"Helping each other is how we will get through these difficult times and through to the other side," Pritzker said.
Protesters Rally Against Illinois Coronavirus Stay-At-Home Order
"We are desperately worried. We're in this horrible state. Ultimately, we've got to talk reality," Ex-Lake County Sheriff Mark Curran said.
Catholic Group Holds Prayer Vigil To Reopen Churches
Members of the newly formed St. Charles Borromeo Society want the Archdiocese of Chicago to reopen churches now.
Coronavirus by the numbers:
Illinois:
Total number of coronavirus cases: 63,840
Deaths: 2,662
People tested: 333,147
Recovered: No data available
Nationwide:
Total number of coronavirus cases: 1,171,041
Deaths: 68,326
People tested: 6,816,347
Recovered: 180,303
Global:
Total number of coronavirus cases: 3,562,919
Deaths: 249,520
People tested: No data available
Recovered: 1,144,454
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
