Health & Fitness
Illinois Coronavirus Update May 5: 65,962 Cases, 2,838 Deaths
Illinois saw its highest single-day death toll yet on Tuesday.
ILLINOIS — State health officials on Monday reported 2,122 new cases of the coronavirus in Illinois and 176 additional deaths, bringing the statewide total to 65,962 confirmed cases and 2,838 deaths.
After a decline on Monday, deaths again skyrocketed to the highest single-day death toll yet.
According to a CDC report obtained by the New York Times, the country could see 200,000 new cases and 3,000 new deaths per day by June. The United States now has nearly 1.2 million confirmed coronavirus infections, according to Johns Hopkins University, and more than 70,110 Americans have died from COVID-19, the respiratory illness caused by the virus.
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Within the past 24 hours, labs in Illinois have completed 13,139 coronavirus tests, officials said, a slight reduction from the previous 24-hour period. The state now routinely meets its original goal of 10,000 tests per day, and so far 346,286 people have been tested for the virus statewide.
Find out what's happening in Across Illinoisfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
According to a Harvard study published last week, Illinois needs to conduct about 19,000 tests per day to accurately gauge the number of infections in the state, and health experts say federal and state governments' failure to test enough people is the biggest barrier to safely reopening the country.
The latest deaths in Illinois include:
- Bureau County: 1 male 90s
- Clinton County: 2 female 80s
- Cook County: 1 female 30s, 1 female 40s, 4 males 40s, 3 females 50s, 6 males 50s, 8 females 60s, 20 males 60s, 5 females 70s, 17 males 70s, 18 females 80s, 15 males 80s, 11 females 90s, 8 males 90s
- DuPage County: 2 males 50s, 2 males 60s, 2 males 70s, 2 females 80s, 1 male 80s, 4 females 90s
- Kane County: 1 male 40s, 2 males 50s, 1 female 60s, 1 male 60s, 1 female 70s, 1 female 90s, 1 male 90s
- Kankakee County: 1 female 90s
- Kendall County: 3 females 80s
- Lake County: 1 male 40s, 1 male 90s
- Macoupin County: 1 female 40s
- Madison County: 1 female 80s
- McDonough County: 1 female 90s
- McHenry County: 2 females 90s
- Randolph County: 1 male 60s
- Rock Island County: 1 female 50s, 1 male 60s, 1 male 90s
- Sangamon County: 1 female 70s, 1 female 80s, 1 female 90s
- St. Clair County: 1 male 60s, 2 males 70s, 2 females 80s, 1 male 80s
- Union County: 1 male 80s
- Will County: 2 females 70s, 3 females 80s, 5 females 90s
Ninety-seven of 102 Illinois counties have reported cases of the coronavirus as of Tuesday.
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.
Globally, more than 3.6 million people have been infected with the new coronavirus and more than a quarter million have died, according to Johns Hopkins University.
Here's what's happening with the coronavirus in Illinois:
Reopening Plan Released As IL Death Toll Hits Highest 1-Day Total
Pritzker previewed a 5-phase "Restore Illinois" plan but said "returning to normalcy doesn't exist" without a vaccine or treatment.
Recreational Marijuana Spending Spikes During Stay-At-Home Order
Illinois residents spent millions more on cannabis in the first full month of the governor's statewide coronavirus emergency order.
"Don't make us treat you like a criminal," warned Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot on Saturday.
There were also no tickets or arrests for those parties, at least not on Saturday night.
CBS 2's Jermont Terry reported Monday night on what employees can expect.
La Grange ER Traffic Drops A Lot
The ER now has separate virus and nonvirus areas. "We are still here for COVID and non-COVID-related matters," one doctor said.
Hesed House Relocation 'Stopped Coronavirus Dead In Its Tracks'
With the spread of the coronavirus seemingly under control, Hesed House is preparing to move back to its shelter in Aurora next week.
With less people flying, united has been scrambling to lower costs during the coronavirus pandemic.
Nyla's little son already knows his numbers, his colors, knows about dinosaurs, all taught all that by his mother, the family said.
Mayor Lori Lightfoot called on people to abide by the stay-at-home order: "If we don't stay the course, we're going to be in this longer."
Reopening Plan In Orland Park Includes 4 Phases
The village of Orland Park has outlined a reopening plan that features several phases.
Pastor Steve Cassell last week filed a federal lawsuit accusing Pritzker of showing an "illegal and discriminatory hostility" to churches.
One-Fifth Of Residents At Bria Of Geneva Dead From Coronavirus
Bria of Geneva has the third-most deaths of any long-term-care facility in Illinois and ranks fifth for the number of cases.
La Grange Coronavirus Cases Jump By 50 Percent
Village's rate of cases higher than many nearby towns.
Coronavirus by the numbers:
Illinois:
- Total number of coronavirus cases: 65,962
- Deaths: 2,838
- People tested: 346,286
- Recovered: No data available
Nationwide:
- Total number of coronavirus cases: 1,193,027
- Deaths: 70,110
- People tested: 7,285,178
- Recovered: 187,180
Global:
- Total number of coronavirus cases: 3,630,942
- Deaths: 254,592
- People tested: No data available
- Recovered: 1,184,625
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.
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