- Credibility:
CHICAGO — Another 30 people were reported to have died from coronavirus during the past day in Illinois.
Among the victims were seven people in Cook County. At least 8,538 people have died from COVID-19 in Illinois.
Also, 2,257 cases were reported in the past day, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in Illinois to 281,371. The state’s positivity rate held at 3.5 percent.
As of Wednesday night, 1,713 people were hospitalized with coronavirus in Illinois, including 400 people in the ICU and 155 people using ventilators.
In Chicago, an average of 296 cases are being reported and two people dying per day. The city’s positivity rate was at 4.5 percent.
At least 2,938 people have died from coronavirus in Chicago and there have been 77,966 confirmed cases.
Dr. Allison Arwady, head of the Chicago Department of Public Health, urged Chicagoans not to travel to Wisconsin. The state was added to Chicago’s Emergency Travel Order this week, meaning anyone coming to Chicago from Wisconsin must quarantine for 14 days.
“Please don’t go to Wisconsin right now — unless you absolutely need to,” Arwady said during a livestream Thursday. “I’m sorry. It’s high-risk right now. And I don’t want you bringing that back to Chicago, that risk.”
People who do travel should continue to follow health guidance, like staying 6 feet from others and wearing a mask, even if regulations are looser in other places, Arwady said.
Arwady also encouraged Chicagoans to look after their mental health. There are free mental health resources available online, Arwady said, but people should reach out to a professional if needed or meditate and pray if that helps.
“I would be worried if someone was not feeling stressed or somewhat different in the time of COVID,” Arwady said.
And Arwady again said Chicagoans can help out by getting a flu shot. Anyone 6 months or older, with few exceptions, can safely get the vaccine, which can protect them from serious illness due to the flu this fall and winter.
Arwady and other officials have said everyone who can get the flu vaccine should this year, as it will help prevent Chicago’s and Illinois’ health care systems from being overburdened by people sick with the flu and coronavirus.
Block Club Chicago’s coronavirus coverage is free for all readers. Block Club is an independent, 501(c)(3), journalist-run newsroom.
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