CHICAGO — While health experts are optimistic Illinois has reached its peak in the coronavirus pandemic, an additional 110 people died in the past day and 2,758 more people tested positive, officials announced Friday.
There have now been 4,715 deaths and 105,444 confirmed cases statewide. In Chicago, there have been 1,830 deaths and 39,756 confirmed cases.
Nearly 700,000 coronavirus tests have been completed in the state, with 25,113 reported in the last 24 hours.
“The number of tests being performed each day [is] just a sign of the hard work that [has] gone into increasing our capacity and understanding the importance of testing as we overcome this pandemic,” said Dr. Ngozi Ezike, head of the Illinois Department of Public Health.
There are now 3,928 infected people hospitalized statewide. Of those, 1,060 are in ICUs and 589 are on ventilators.
On Thursday, there were 4,107 people hospitalized statewide with COVID-19. Of those, 1,088 were in ICUs and 609 were on ventilators.
Every region of the state is still on track to move into Phase 3 of the reopening plan May 29, Pritzker said. His administration will soon send guidance to businesses and groups as they prepare to reopen.
And Pritzker’s altered his plan, now saying child care facilities can reopen — though with reduced capacity — so parents have a place for their kids as they return to work next week.
Earlier in the day, though, Mayor Lori Lightfoot said the city of Chicago has not yet met the goals it needs to, to move into Phase 3 and begin reopening non-essential businesses.
Symptoms
Coronavirus can be deadly, but the vast majority of cases have been mild. Those most at risk from the virus are people who are elderly or who have underlying health conditions.
Symptoms of coronavirus can appear two to 14 days after a person has been exposed to the virus, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Even people who show no symptoms may have the virus and can spread it to others.
The virus spreads between people through coughing and sneezing, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health.
The most common symptoms are:
- Fever
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Chills and shaking with chills
- Muscle pain
- Headache
- Sore throat
- Loss of taste and/or smell
People have also experienced body aches, nasal congestion and runny nose, according to Harvard Medical School.
If you or someone else has difficulty breathing, persistent pain or pressure in the chest, become confused, cannot be roused or develop a bluish face or lips, seek immediate medical attention, according to the CDC.
How To Protect Yourself
Here’s what you can do to prevent getting ill:
- The CDC and other officials have said people should wash their hands often, including before, during and after eating; after using the bathroom; and after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing.
The CDC has a guide here for how to properly wash your hands. Remember: Wash with soap and water, scrubbing your hands for at least 20 seconds. - If you can’t wash your hands with soap and water, you can use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health.
- Avoid touching your face, especially your eyes, nose and mouth, with unwashed hands.
- Clean and disinfect objects and surfaces you touch frequently, such as cellphones and light switches. Here are tips from the CDC.
- Stay home when you’re sick and avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- If you have to sneeze or cough with a tissue, throw it out immediately after using it, according to the CDC.
What To Do If You Think You’re Sick
Even if you’re not showing symptoms, the Chicago Department of Public Health recommends people coming from high-risk countries (here’s a CDC list) self-quarantine for 14 days after returning home.
If you do have symptoms of coronavirus, contact your primary doctor or a health care facility before going in. Explain your symptoms and tell them if you’ve come into close contact with anyone with coronavirus or traveled to an area where COVID-19 is widespread (here’s a CDC list) within the last 14 days, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health.
From there, the experts will work with your local health department to determine what to do and if you need to be tested for coronavirus, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health.
And, of course, if you think you’re sick with coronavirus, don’t risk exposing other people to the virus. Anyone who feels unwell has been ordered to stay home or risk getting a $500 fine.
Those with questions and concerns about coronavirus can call the Illinois Department of Public Health at 800-889-3931.
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