IL Coronavirus Cases Rise In Possible Post-Thanksgiving Surge

ILLINOIS — State health officials on Tuesday reported 12,542 new cases of the coronavirus and 125 more deaths from COVID-19, the respiratory illness caused by the virus. That breaks a run of four days with fewer than 10,000 new reported cases and may signal the beginning of a post-Thanksgiving coronavirus surge.

Health officials had feared family gatherings could serve as superspreader events, and it has now been 5 days since the Thanksgiving holiday — the median incubation period of the virus, according to the CDC. If a spike from Thanksgiving is coming, it would be expected to start now and continue for about another week and a half.

Altogether, 738,846 Illinoisans have now been infected with the virus and 12,403 have died, not including another 633 probable deaths.

The latest deaths include:

• Adams County: 1 male 70s, 1 female 80s
• Bureau County: 1 female 70s
• Carroll County: 1 male 80s
• Champaign County: 1 male 60s, 1 female 80s, 1 female 90s
• Clay County: 1 female 50s
• Cook County: 1 female 50s, 1 male 50s, 2 females 60s, 3 males 60s, 1 female 70s, 3 males 70s, 2 females 80s, 2 males 80s, 3 females 90, 1 male 90s, 1 female over 100
• DuPage County: 1 female 70s, 2 males 70s, 1 male 80s, 1 female 90s, 2 males 90s
• Effingham County: 1 male 90s
• Ford County: 1 female 60s
• Franklin County: 1 female 80s
• Fulton County: 1 male 80s
• Grundy County: 1 female 70s, 2 females 80s
• Hancock County: 1 female 90s
• Iroquois County: 1 male 90s
• Jo Daviess County: 1 female 70s
• Kane County: 1 male 70s, 1 female 90s, 1 male 90s
• Kankakee County: 1 female 80s
• Kendall County: 2 male 80s
• Knox County: 1 male 80s, 1 male 90s
• Lake County: 1 male 50s, 1 male 70s, 1 female 80s, 2 males 80s, 1 female 90s
• LaSalle County: 1 female 70s, 1 female 80s, 1 male 80s
• Lee County: 1 female 80s
• Livingston County: 1 male 90s
• Macon County: 1 female 80s, 1 male 80s, 1 female 90s
• Macoupin County: 1 female 80s, 1 female 90s
• Madison County: 2 males 70s, 1 female 90s
• Marion County: 1 female 80s, 2 males 80
• McHenry County: 1 female 70s, 2 females 90s
• McLean County: 1 female 80s, 1 male 80s, 2 males 90s
• Mercer County: 1 female 90s
• Monroe County: 1 male 90s
• Morgan County: 1 female 60s, 2 females 90s
• Ogle County: 1 male 60s, 1 male 70s, 1 female 80s
• Peoria County: 1 male 60s
• Perry County: 1 female 70s, 2 females 80s, 3 females 90s
• Rock Island County: 1 male 60s, 2 females 90s
• Saline County: 1 male 70s, 1 male 80s
• Sangamon County: 1 female 50s, 1 male 80s, 2 females 90s
• St. Clair County: 1 female 70s, 1 male 70s, 1 female 80s
• Stark County: 1 female 80s
• Stephenson County: 1 male 50s
• Tazewell County: 1 male 70s
• Vermilion County: 1 male 60s, 1 female 90s
• Warren County: 1 male 70s, 1 female 90s
• White County: 1 male 60s
• Whiteside County: 1 male 70s, 1 female 90s, 1 male 90s
• Will County: 1 male 50s, 1 female 70s
• Winnebago County: 1 female 60s, 1 male 90s
• Woodford County: 1 female 70s

But even as new cases continue to mount, there are signs of light at the end of the (very long) tunnel. Dr. Ngozi Ezike, director of the state health department, said last week that officials hope to receive about 400,000 doses of the Pfizer's coronavirus vaccine within days of its approval by the Food and Drug Administration.

A report in Crain's Chicago Business published Monday, however, casts some doubt on Ezike's optimism, saying Illinois may get less than a quarter of the 400,000 doses she expects — about 80,000 initially. The federal government originally planned to distribute the vaccine to states bases on high-risk populations — health care workers and nursing home residents — but now plans to distribute it based on each state's total adult population.

Still, approval could happen within weeks, and reports indicate shipments of the vaccine are already coming into O'Hare Airport in Chicago.

The FDA's committee on vaccines will meet to consider emergency use authorization for Pfizer's vaccine on Dec. 10 — just enough time for it to double-check the drug company's data, the agency said. If approved, Pfizer said it hopes to have 40 million doses of the vaccine to Americans by the end of the year.

Despite a dip in cases, hospitalizations have remained near all-time highs. Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation's top infectious disease expert, has told Gov. J.B. Pritzker that the massive number of indoor gatherings due to people visiting family across the nation will very likely bring a post-Thanksgiving surge, and he believes this is no time to pull back on mitigations.

"We had hoped to see more progress in lowering hospitalizations by now," Pritzker said Monday. "The challenge we face was highlighted over the weekend by Dr. Anthony Fauci, who offered a bleak outlook and a warning that over the next two or three weeks we may see a surge upon a surge related to the holidays."

Hospitalizations fell slightly from last Monday. As of Monday night, 5,834 people were hospitalized with COVID-19 across Illinois — about 0.3 percent lower than the previous day — including 1,195 in intensive care and 721 on ventilators.

The statewide case positivity rate — a rolling, seven-day average — is now 10.4 percent, 0.2 percentage points higher than on Monday.

(The positivity rate is the number the state has reported since the start of the pandemic and is calculated by dividing total cases detected by total tests performed. Another way to calculate the positivity rate is to divide the number of positive tests by total tests performed. By that calculation, the test positivity rate is 12.2 percent.)

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.

See how your region is doing here.

The United States now has more than 13.6 million confirmed coronavirus infections, and at least 269,192 Americans have died from COVID-19, according to Johns Hopkins University. Based on the latest predictions by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 294,000 to 321,000 Americans could be dead from the disease by Dec. 19.

Globally, more than 63.5 million people have been infected and more than 1.4 million are known to have died.

Illinois Patch Local Business Information Center

As local and state economies slowly emerge from pandemic lockdowns, it's often hard for customers to know the conditions under which local businesses are open. The business center contains easily accessible and up-to-date information about scores of local businesses, including everything from operating hours to the availability of by-appointment services, quick website links and other contact information. It's free to use and free for businesses to join.

Here's what's happening with the coronavirus in Illinois:

IL Will Not Be 'Downgraded' From Tier 3 Mitigations: Pritzker

Dr. Anthony Fauci told Gov. J.B. Pritzker that this is no time to pull back on mitigations as hospitalizations increase across the state.

Coronavirus Vaccine Arrives At Chicago's O'Hare Airport

According to NBC, thousands of doses may already be in Chicago, ready to distribute as soon as FDA approval comes through.

Cook County Sheriff Dart Tests Positive For The Coronavirus

Sheriff Tom Dart is recovering at home after testing positive for the coronavirus, the Cook County Sheriff's Office announced Saturday.

13 More Jail Inmates, 4 Staffers Test Positive For Coronavirus

This brings the total number of Kendall County Jail inmates to test positive for the virus in the past one week to 21.

Mom Who Lost 3 Kids In Tragic Deaths Dies From COVID-19

Angeline Pindel was 95 years old. A member of Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, she is remembered for her patience and strong faith.

131 Illinoisans Died From Coronavirus On Thanksgiving

More than 700,000 people have been infected with the coronavirus in Illinois, and more than 12,000 have now died from COVID-19.

Silence Hunger's Growl On Giving Tuesday: Northern IL Food Bank

Every $1 donated to the organization will provide about $16 in groceries, with Jewel-Osco set to match all donations made on Giving Tuesday.

Elmhurst Sees Nearly 250 More Virus Cases: County

One more coronavirus-related death is reported in the last week.

Coronavirus Cases At VVSD Decrease As Classes Go Fully Remote

As of Saturday, five staff members and four students tested positive for COVID-19 during the week.

HelloFresh Buys Batavia's Factor75 To Tighten Grip On U.S. Market

The deal could cost the world's biggest meal-kit company up to $277 million. Demand for meal kits is at an all-time high amid the pandemic.

Geneva Shop Closes Doors To Shoppers Due To Coronavirus Surge

The Little Traveler will remain open, but shoppers will not be allowed inside amid a second wave of the coronavirus, owner Mike Simon said.

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.

Coronavirus by the numbers:

Illinois:

• Total number of coronavirus cases: 738,846
• Confirmed Deaths: 12,403
• People tested: 10,614,079
• Recovered: Illinois does not provide exact numbers of recovered cases, but says the recovery rate is 97 percent.

Nationwide:

• Total number of coronavirus cases: 13,605,981
• Deaths: 269,192
• People tested: 192,769,788
• Recovered: 5,146,319

Global:

• Total number of coronavirus cases: 63,556,040
• Deaths: 1,474,643
• People tested: No data available
• Recovered: 40,798,426

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.
• Face mask instructions — sew- and no-sew masks

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.