- Credibility:
CHICAGO — Coronavirus killed another 27 people during the past day in Illinois.
The outbreak continues to worsen throughout the state, with people dying daily and 30 counties under “warning” status. The number of new cases being reported every day is rising, and nine of Illinois’ 11 regions have seen their positivity rates creep upward recently.
Gov. JB Pritzker warned other states — like Florida, Texas and Arizona — that saw a growth in new cases and their infection rate, like Illinois has, didn’t worry because it seemed deaths weren’t rising.
“Then, in no time at all, their hospitals were overrun,” Pritzker said at a Wednesday press conference. “When that happens, a lot more people die. I won’t let that happen here.
“And let me remind you that people are dying every day from this horrible virus, and thousands who recovered are still suffering from life-threatening pulmonary and cardiac symptoms.”
Among the state’s most recent victims, eight were from Cook County. The state’s seen at least 8,091 people die from coronavirus.
Another 2,128 cases were reported in the past day, as well, bringing the total number of confirmed cases up to 238,643. The state’s positivity rate is at 4.5 percent.
As of Tuesday night, 1,596 people were hospitalized with coronavirus in Illinois, including 347 people in the ICU and 142 people using ventilators.
In Chicago, an average of 322 new cases are being reported and two people are dying per day. The city’s positivity rate is at 5.3 percent.
Chicago has seen 71,429 confirmed cases, though experts estimate there have been five times that amount, but they’ve mostly gone unconfirmed. At least 2,883 people have died.
The growing outbreak worries officials because it puts lives at risk — and because it endangers businesses. Two of the state’s regions, including nearby Region 7 with Will and Kankakee counties, are back under stricter rules that limit bar and restaurant service to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
“The greatest hinderance to restoring our nation’s economic vitality is the virus,” Pritzker said. Until the outbreak is under control, “We are going to be fighting for our economic recovery with one hand tied behind our back. We must slow the rate of infection all across the state.”
Gatherings among family and friends have played a major role in the virus’s spread recently.
Just recently, at least 19 young people tested positive for coronavirus after a pool party in Chicago.
Officials warned people should take safety precautions if they’re planning to gather in any way for Labor Day weekend. Even if you’re with family and friends you trust, you should wear a mask, especially if you’re indoors; wash your hands frequently; and keep 6 feet apart, they advised.
“… The reality is you don’t know where everybody who’s there has been,” Pritzker said. “And unless you maintain social distance and are mindful about wearing masks, the reality is there can be, and has been, significant” amount of community spread.
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