Illinois Coronavirus Update May 29: 117,455 Cases, 5,270 Deaths

ILLINOIS — State health officials on Friday announced 1,622 new cases of the coronavirus and 86 additional deaths from COVID-19, the respiratory illness caused by the virus. That's an increase in cases from the previous day, but a decline in deaths. The statewide total now stands at 117,455 confirmed infections and 5,270 known deaths.

The most recent deaths include:

• Boone County: 1 female 70s
• Coles County: 1 female 60s
• Cook County: 1 male 30s, 1 female 50s, 1 male 50s, 6 females 60s, 5 males 60s, 8 females 70s, 8 males 70s, 5 females 80s, 8 males 80s, 6 females 90s, 4 males 90s
• DuPage County: 1 female 30s, 1 male 30s, 1 male 50s, 1 male 60s, 1 female 70s, 1 male 70s, 2 females 80s, 1 male 80s, 1 female 90s, 1 male 90s
• Kane County: 1 female 70s, 2 males 80s
• Lake County: 1 female 60s, 2 males 60s, 1 female 70s, 1 male 70s, 1 female 90s, 1 male 90s
• Madison County: 1 male 50s
• McDonough County: 1 male 70s
• McHenry County: 1 female 70s
• Ogle County: 1 female 50s
• Rock Island County: 1 male 60s
• Sangamon County: 1 male 50s
• St. Clair County: 2 females 90s
• Will County: 1 male 60s
• Winnebago County: 1 male 60s

Except for Chicago, the state moved into phase 3 of its reopening plan Friday after state officials said that Illinois is the only state in the nation to meet federal guidelines to begin reopening nonessential businesses. "I've always said that the data will tell us when we can reopen our state," Gov. J.B. Pritzker tweeted Thursday. "While the president ignores his own guidance and urges states to reopen prematurely, I'm proud that Illinois was the first state to hit all five @WhiteHouse metrics."

Don't miss updates about precautions in the Chicago area as they are announced. Sign up for Patch news alerts and newsletters.

Experts say testing, contact tracing and health care capacity are keys to safely lifting lockdowns. Over the past 24 hours, labs in Illinois have processed 25,513 coronavirus tests for a total of 855,479 since the pandemic began, according to state officials. The state's rolling, seven-day positivity rate, is now 8 percent, health officials said. According to the Johns Hopkins University, a positivity rate of less than 12 percent is a good measure of whether enough tests are being conducted in a given state.

Pritzker said earlier this week that all regions of the state are on track to move into the next phase reopening, though he said he was "terribly dismayed" by Illinoians flocking to crowded pools and beaches across state lines over the holiday weekend. He warned that if cases spike in the coming weeks, the state could go back into lockdown.

The United States as a whole has tested more than 15.6 million people for the coronavirus as of Friday afternoon. After early testing failures that left officials unable to track the spread of the disease, that number is improving, but experts say many states are still undertesting.

The country now has more than 1.7 million confirmed coronavirus infections, according to Johns Hopkins University, and at least 102,323 Americans have died from COVID-19. Globally, nearly 5.9 million people have been infected and 362,769 are known to have died.

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 like "UNEMPLOYMENT," "FOOD," or "SHELTER," to the same number to receive additional information about those topics.

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

IL Is Only State To Meet Fed Guidelines For Reopening

And Friday is the day when all regions are on track to enter Phase 3. Retail stores, outdoor seating at restaurants and salons will reopen.

IL Reopening: Businesses Ready, Many Customers Anxious

A Patch survey showed many residents were nervous about dining out, while business owners said they were ready to reopen.

These Illinois Restaurants, Bars, Malls Are Reopening: List

Restaurant bars and patios began reopening Friday across Illinois.

Mayor Lightfoot Says Chicago Will Partially Reopen On Wednesday

"Throughout the pandemic, I have been overwhelmed by the service and sacrifice made by countless Chicagoans from every corner of our city and every walk of life," Lightfoot said.

Citizenship Question Cut From Coronavirus Testing Questionnaire

State officials said the citizenship question — removed once a congressman began asking about it — was required for federal reimbursement.

Phase 3 Illinois: Hair Salons Reopen Under New Coronavirus Plan

Prepare for a new salon experience, including face shields, hand sanitizer and social distancing as personal care businesses reopen May 29.

Survey: Residents Anxious About Dining Out

Patch asked readers to fill out our survey regarding Friday's statewide reopening of bars and restaurants with outdoor seating.

Pritzker 'Terribly Dismayed' By Memorial Day Crowds In WI, IN

Thousands of Illinoisans headed to Wisconsin and Indiana over Memorial Day weekend to celebrate in states with looser restrictions.

Gov's Toilet Scam Contractor Got $9 Million Coronavirus Contract

KONKOL COLUMN — Is it just a coincidence the contractor involved in Pritzker's private construction projects got coronavirus contracts?

2 Judges Test Positive For Coronavirus At Bridgeview Courthouse

Cook County Chief Judge has extended order for circuit courts to continue operating at modified schedule through July 6.

Republican Rep Aims To Recall Gov. J.B. Pritzker

An affidavit that is meant to initiate a recall effort must be signed by at least 20 house members and 10 senators.

Chicago Virtual High School Graduation With Oprah Set For June 14

Oprah, "The Voice" star Katie Kadan are set to join virtual Chicago high school graduation ceremonies streaming online on June 14 at 1 p.m.

Poopy's Owner Holds Memorial Day Bash Despite Stay-At-Home Order

A record-setting crowd attended the popular biker bar's Memorial Day festivities in defiance of the governor's coronavirus executive orders.

Restore Illinois Phase 3 Coronavirus Business Guidelines Released

The Pritzker administration Sunday released industry-specific guidelines for 10 different categories of business or activities.

Homer Glen Woman Makes Over 850 Masks

Homer Glen resident Eileen Crement has made over 850 masks for residents, hospitals, medical facilities and nursing homes.

Coronavirus by the numbers:

Illinois:

• Total number of coronavirus cases: 117,455
• Deaths: 5,270
• People tested: 851,762
• Recovered: No data available

Nationwide:

• Total number of coronavirus cases: 1,734,986
• Deaths: 102,622
• People tested: 15,646,041
• Recovered: 399,991

Global:

• Total number of coronavirus cases: 5,878,701
• Deaths: 362,769
• People tested: No data available
• Recovered: 2,464,595

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 1-800-889-3931 or email dph.sick@illinois.gov.