ILLINOIS — State health officials on Sunday announced 1,541 new cases of the coronavirus and 1 additional death from COVID-19, the respiratory illness caused by the virus. Together with the 1,426 new cases and 12 deaths announced Saturday, that brings the statewide total to 171,424 confirmed infections and 7,398 known deaths. Another 1,242 probable cases and 192 probable deaths are not included in the official totals.
The latest deaths include:
Health officials said Friday that four Illinois counties are at a “warning level” for a surge in cases: Adams, LaSalle, Peoria and Raldolph. Outbreaks there are “associated with business and risky behavior,” officials said. Some of those risky behaviors include holding large social events, traveling to coronavirus hot spots, not wearing masks or social distancing, and — especially among young people — crowding into bars and attending parties.
Based on indicators such as positive-test rates, new cases, hospitilizations and deaths, at least one Illinois region is “dangerously close” to new lockdown measures, health officials said previously.
See how your region is doing here.
“We’ve seen real progress over these last four and a half months, but our numbers now appear to be gradually rising, and that’s very concerning,” Gov. J.B. Pritzker said at a news conference last week.
As cases rise, new restrictions on bars went into effect in Chicago Friday, and visitors to the city from Kansas are now required to quarantine for two weeks. The city’s quarantine list currently includes 18 states, with Wisconsin on the verge of being added, officials said.
In the past 24 hours, labs in Illinois have processed 40,844 coronavirus tests, for a total of more than 2.5 million since the pandemic began. The state’s rolling, seven-day positivity rate is about 3.7 percent — three-thenths of a percent higher than last week and 1.3 percent higher than its low 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 Monday, the United States as a whole had tested more than 51.4 million people for the coronavirus. The country now has more than 4.2 million confirmed coronavirus infections, and, according to Johns Hopkins University, at least 146,935 Americans have died from COVID-19.
Based on the latest predictions by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 160,000 to 175,000 Americans could be dead from the disease by Aug. 15.
Globally, more than 16.2 million people have been infected and 648,966 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:
No Fall Sports: IL Elementary School Association
There are no plans to reschedule. IHSA hasn’t yet decided the fate of high schools sports, which could also be canceled until 2021.
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.
1 IL Coronavirus Region ‘Dangerously Close’ To New Restrictions
The state could soon step in after an uptick in cases in the Metro East emergency management region, Gov. J. B. Pritzker said Wednesday.
D202 Teachers Rally For Remote Learning, Raise Safety Concerns
Junior Delaney O’Sullivan said if the board rejects remote learning, it will be responsible for the “lives of everyone” in the district.
No New Coronavirus Deaths Last 2 Weeks In Arlington Heights
State health officials on Friday announced 1,532 new cases of the coronavirus and 19 additional deaths from COVID-19 in Illinois.
Illinois Aviation Museum Reopens With New Exhibits Amid Pandemic
The museum is following safety protocols with “enhanced sanitizing and cleaning, hand sanitizer stations throughout the museum and masks.”
Aurora University Reverts To Remote Learning Plan Amid Pandemic
“The optimism of June now gives way to the hard reality of July,” the university’s president said while announcing the decision.
MLB Opening Day: Chicago Cubs, White Sox Play Amid Pandemic
The crack of the bat, but not the roar of the crowd, will mark the sound of Major League Baseball’s return in 2020.
AMC Theatres Delaying Summer Reopening
The delay was prompted by a spike in coronavirus cases and changes in the expected release dates of new films.
Petition To Save Sports Nears Signature Goal
The organizer is reaching out to Gov. J.B. Pritzker, Illinois High School Association and the Illinois Department of Health, among others.
Travel Restrictions On Wisconsin Visitors ‘As Soon As Next Week’
Cases are surging in Wisconsin, and city officials say people there aren’t wearing masks at the level they are in Chicago.
Aurora Restaurant Closes After Worker Was Exposed To Coronavirus
The downtown eatery said it will be closed for three to five days while employees get tested and deep-clean the facility.
Pritzker Extends Illinois’ Eviction Hold For Another Month
The state’s moratorium on evictions now runs through Aug. 22.
No Face Masks In School, Bus Will Result In Disciplinary Measures
The district said students can face “detention, in-school suspension, out-of-school suspension, and removal to a remote-learning platform.”
Illinois Teachers Union Says School Year Should Start Online
Returning to in-person instruction without sufficient coronavirus safety measures is too risky, the union says.
Metra Lets Medical Personnel Ride Free Through August
August will mark the fifth consecutive month that Metra will allow frontline medical workers to skip the fare, officials said.
Coronavirus by the numbers:
Illinois:
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Total number of coronavirus cases: 171,424
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Deaths: 7,398
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People tested: 2,511,567
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Recovered: Illinois does not provide exact numbers of recovered cases, but says the recovery rate is 95 percent.
Nationwide:
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Total number of coronavirus cases: 4,234,140
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Deaths: 146,935
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People tested: 51,491,494
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Recovered: 1,297,863
Global:
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Total number of coronavirus cases: 16,264,048
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Deaths: 648,966
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People tested: No data available
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Recovered: 9,407,977
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:
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Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
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Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
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Stay home when you are sick.
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Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
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Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipes.
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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:
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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:
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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.
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Avoid public areas: Do not go to work, school, or public areas.
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Avoid public transportation: Avoid using public transportation, ride-sharing or taxis.
Separate yourself from other people and animals in your home:
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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.
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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.
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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:
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Do not share: You should not share dishes, drinking glasses, cups, eating utensils, towels, or bedding with other people or pets in your home.
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Wash thoroughly after use: After using these items, they should be washed thoroughly with soap and water.
Masks:
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Face mask instructions — sew- and no-sew masks
To donate personal protective equipment (PPE), email [email protected]. For health questions about COVID-19, call the state coronavirus hotline at 800-889-3931 or email [email protected].
This article originally appeared on the Across Illinois Patch
