Illinois Coronavirus Update Sept. 14: 262,744 Cases, 8,314 Deaths
ILLINOIS — State health officials on Monday announced 1,373 new cases of the coronavirus and 5 additional deaths from COVID-19, the respiratory illness caused by the virus. The statewide totals now stand at 262,744 confirmed infections and 8,314 known deaths. Another 2,095 probable cases and 232 probable deaths are not included in the official totals.
The latest deaths include:
Cook County: 1 female 70s
Madison County: 1 female 70s, 1 female 80s
Randolph County: 1 female 80s
Rock Island County: 1 male 60s
As of Monday, 1,431 people were hospitalized with COVID-19 across the state, including 335 in intensive care and 131 on ventilators, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health.
Thirty counties remain at a "warning level" for a surge in cases, health officials said Friday. They include: Bond, Bureau, Cass, Clinton, Coles, Crawford, DeKalb, DuPage, Effingham, Greene, Grundy, Hancock, Henderson, Jackson, Jasper, Jersey, Lawrence, Madison, McLean, Monroe, Morgan, Pulaski, Schuyler, Shelby, Stark, St. Clair, Tazewell, Vermilion, Washington and Williamson counties.
See how your region is doing here.
The statewide positive-test rate is currently 3.6 percent. The number is a rolling, seven-day average and represents a decrease of one tenth of a percentage point from Sunday and six tenths of a percentage point from last week's high. In the past 24 hours, labs in Illinois have processed 35,930 coronavirus tests, for a total of more than 4.7 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 will trigger new restrictions in a given region.
The United States now has more than 6.5 million confirmed coronavirus infections, and at least 194,339 Americans have died from COVID-19, according to Johns Hopkins University. Based on the latest predictions by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 205,000 to 217,000 Americans could be dead from the disease by Oct. 3.
Globally, more than 29.1 million people have been infected and 925,749 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:
Letter To Pritzker 'Greatly Misconstrued' On Social Media: IHSA
Craig Anderson, executive director, said the IHSA is seeking permission to resume control over determining the resumption of sports.
Teaching Kids Yoga In Virtual World Keeps Mom Busy
Laura Kowalski, of Arlington Heights, started Hop Along Yogi Kids Yoga during the coronavirus pandemic.
Staff Organizes Mask Giveaways: Arlington Heights Patch Heroes
We all know someone who's making a difference. Let's help share these amazing stories! Presented by Ring.
Ex-Bears Player Charged In Coronavirus Loan Fraud Conspiracy
Josh Bellamy fraudulently obtained more than $1.2 million from the federal Paycheck Protection Program, according to federal prosecutors.
Will, Kankakee Co. Could See Restrictions Lifted 'Soon': Pritzker
"Unless we get [the coronavirus] under control ... we will be fighting to save the Titanic with a plastic bucket," Pritzker said.
Restaurants 'Singled Out' By New Regulations: Bolingbrook Chamber
Kevin O'Keeffe, executive director of the BACC, said it is unfair to "lump the entire county based on numbers."
Hundreds Gather In Wheaton To Rally For In-Person Learning
"We want the kids' voices to be heard," parent Eric Brown told Patch.
Kentucky Added To Chicago's Coronavirus Travel Quarantine List
California and Puerto Rico were removed from Chicago's travel quarantine list this week after dropping below the coronavirus hot spot level.
Alderman Catches Coronavirus While Dining Out, Urges Mask-Wearing
Alderman Rita Payleitner, who represents St. Charles' Second Ward, said she contracted COVID-19 after eating out with a friend.
Edward Hospital's Coronavirus Numbers Back In Double Digits
Six patients who recovered from coronavirus were discharged in the last 96 hours, officials said.
Coronavirus Cases Climb Significantly In Kane Co. During August
Despite a sizeable jump in new coronavirus cases last month, the county saw a large drop in related deaths, when compared to June and July.
Picture Perfect: GBS Student Makes 100 Recipes During Pandemic
We've started a new feature highlighting the photography of readers and the stories behind the photos in Glenview.
Coronavirus Citations: Kane County Sheriff Ready To Issue Fines
Kane County deputies will try to encourage businesses to comply with public health guidelines before writing tickets, Sheriff Ron Hain said.
Steve Carell To Create Prize For Batavia United Way Fundraiser
The actor has offered to create a personalized video for whoever wins the Batavia United Way's raffle later this month.
Coronavirus by the numbers:
Illinois:
Total number of coronavirus cases: 262,744
Deaths: 8,314
People tested: 4,771,796
Recovered: Illinois does not provide exact numbers of recovered cases, but says the recovery rate is 96 percent.
Nationwide:
Total number of coronavirus cases: 6,539,483
Deaths: 194,339
People tested: 88,819,861
Recovered: 2,451,406
Global:
Total number of coronavirus cases: 29,127,436
Deaths: 925,749
People tested: No data available
Recovered: 19,678,118
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
