Illinois Coronavirus Update April 12: 720 Deaths

ACROSS ILLINOIS — State health officials said 1,293 new coronavirus cases were detected in Illinois and 81 more people had died across Illinois as the outbreak continued to spread Saturday. As of Sunday afternoon, the state's coronavirus case count stood at 20,852, with 720 deaths attributable to COVID-19, the illness caused by the virus, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health. No data is available on the number of Illinois coronavirus patients who have recovered.

But even as the number of cases continues to increase, an updated study shows a more optimistic picture and an earlier peak — Easter Sunday — for coronavirus in Illinois.

As of Wednesday, the influential model, developed by the Institute for Health Metrics, now predicts COVID-19 will kill 1,588 residents in Illinois. The outlook is much more optimistic than an earlier prediction. On March 30, the Seattle-based institute affiliated with the University of Washington and supported by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, forecast 2,360 Illinoisans would lose their lives due to the coronavirus.

According to Johns Hopkins University, more than 530,000 Americans have been infected by the virus and 20,614 had died nationwide as of Sunday morning.

More than 82,800 Americans were hospitalized due to coronavirus, and more than 32,100 patients in the U.S. have recovered.

The state is working to increase its testing capacity. On Friday, Gov. J.B. Pritzker stressed the state's need for "more ubiquitous testing" amid the coronavirus pandemic. As of Sunday afternoon, more than 100,735 people had been tested for the virus in Illinois.

So far, Illinois has failed to meet its 10,000-test-a-day goal after new machines were unable to produce valid results.

The latest Illinois coronavirus deaths include a woman in her 30s and a woman in her 100s. The 81 new deaths are as listed:

• Champaign County: 1 male 70s
• Cook County: 1 female 30s, 2 male 40s, 1 female 50s, 3 male 50s, 3 female 60s, 7 male 60s, 9 female 70s, 4 male 70s, 7 female 80s, 9 male 80s, 7 female 90s, 2 male 90s, 1 female 100s
• DuPage County: 1 male 60s, 1 female 80s, 2 male 80s, 1 female 90s
• Jackson County: 1 female 90s
• Kankakee County: 1 female 60s, 1 female 80s
• Lake County: 2 male 60s, 1 female 70s, 1 male 70s, 2 female 80s, 1 male 80s, 1 female 90s
• McHenry County: 1 male 60s
• St. Clair County: 1 female 80s, 1 female 90s
• Will County: 1 female 70s, 2 males 70s, 1 male 80s, 1 female 90s
• Winnebago County: 1 male 90

The ages of coronavirus patients in the state range from younger than one to older than 100 years, and 86 of 102 the state's counties have reported cases of the virus.

"Please stay home. I assure you if people congregate tomorrow, we will set the state back in our fight against COVID-19," Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike said. "You don't want to be the one who spreads this virus to a health care worker."

Officials say the virus is hitting the state's black community especially hard. For instance, in Chicago, where black people make up fewer than 30 percent of the population, they account for more than 70 percent of coronavirus deaths.

At 181,825 confirmed cases and 8,650 deaths as of Sunday, New York is by far the worst coronavirus hot spot in the country, followed by New Jersey, Michigan, Massachusetts, California, Pennsylviania, Louisiana and Illinois.

Globally, nearly 1.8 million people have been infected and at least 110,042 have died, according to Johns Hopkins University. At least 412,534 people worldwide have recovered from coronavirus.

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

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Child Sex Offender 2nd Jail Detainee To Die Of Coronavirus

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Pritzker Suggests Canceling Large Summer Events Over Coronavirus

Despite "some evidence that we may be moving toward a flatter curve," the governor said he could not imagine large events without a vaccine.

Coronavirus In IL: How And What To Donate To Area Hospitals

A live guide hospitals and health centers across the Chicago area, what they're in need of, and how to donate.

Keeping Faith Amid Coronavirus: Churches Adapt Ahead Of Easter

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Coronavirus Samples Stolen From Lab Tech's Car At Gas Station

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78 Confirmed Or Suspected Cases Of Coronavirus At Silver Cross

54 patients have tested positive, while 24 patients are considered persons under investigation, the hospital said.

Over 200,000 New Illinois Unemployment Claims In Single Week

Illinois had a second record-breaking week of unemployment, while the number of new claims dipped nationwide, the U.S Labor Department said.

Illinois Still Short Of Coronavirus Testing Goal, Pritzker Admits

The state failed to meet its 10,000-test-a-day goal after new machines were unable to produce valid results, the governor said.

3 Lake County Hospital ICUs Reach Capacity Coronavirus Patients

Intensive care units in the northeast suburban region have the fewest beds available anywhere in the state, the governor's office said.

Walmart 'Ignored' Coronavirus Outbreak, 2 Employees Died: Lawsuit

A wrongful death lawsuit alleges management at the Evergreen Park store ignored several employees' COVID-19 symptoms until two employees died.

228 Joliet Coronavirus Cases, 3 Nursing Homes Hit: Mayor

Mayor Bob O'Dekirk said the Joliet firefighter/paramedic who tested positive for the new coronavirus should return to work next week.

Third Resident Of Evanston Retirement Home Dies Of Coronavirus

Three other Three Crowns Park residents have recovered after testing positive for COVID-19, administrators said.

Coronavirus Won't Lead To City Worker Layoffs, Draconian Cuts

Mayor Lightfoot says Chicago is "not going to compromise our long term future and our position" due to coronavirus crisis.

IL Coronavirus Peak Likely In Coming Days, New Projection Shows

"America's most influential coronavirus model" predicts when we can expect the peak of coronavirus cases in Illinois.

Coronavirus In IL: Nursing Homes Struggle To Control Infections

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99-Year-Old Springfield Woman Beats The Coronavirus: ABC 20

The woman, who turns 100 in September, spent two rough weeks in the hospital, but she is now home with her family, according to the report.

Search For Coronavirus Cases In Your Neighborhood By Zip Code

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Chicago Sets Curfew On Liquor Sales Amid Coronavirus Crisis

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Coronavirus: Was Elmhurst Gym Open?

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John Prine, Who Chronicled The Lives Of The Everyman, Dies At 73

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Chicago Shootings Continue Despite Coronavirus Stay-Home Order

Mayor Lori Lightfoot called on Chicagoans who might know the identity of "cowardly" shooters to speak up during the public health crisis.

73 Coronavirus Deaths In One Day In Illinois, 821 On Ventilators

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Chicago Shelter Runs Out Of Adoptable Dogs For The First Time

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Coronavirus by the numbers:

Illinois:

• Total number of coronavirus cases: 20,852
• People tested: 100,735
• Deaths: 720
• Recovered: No data available

Nationwide:

• Total number of coronavirus cases: 530,006
• Deaths: 20,614
• Hospitalized: 82,809
• Recovered: 32,110

Global:

• Total number of coronavirus cases: 1,792,899
• Deaths: 110,042
• Recovered: 412,534

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:

• The CDC does not recommend that people who are well wear a face mask to protect themselves from respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19. You should only wear a mask if a health care professional recommends it. A face mask should be used by people who have COVID-19 and are showing symptoms. This is to protect others from the risk of getting infected. The use of face masks also is crucial for health workers and other people who are taking care of someone infected with COVID-19 in close settings (at home or in a health care facility).

To donate personal protective equipment (PPE), email PPE.donations@illinois.gov. For health questions about COVID-19, call the state coronavirus hotline at 1-800-889-3931 or email dph.sick@illinois.gov.