IL Reports Most Single-Day Deaths Since May As COVID Cases Climb

ILLINOIS — State health officials on Wednesday announced 4,342 new cases of the coronavirus and 69 more deaths from COVID-19, the respiratory illness caused by the virus. That's the most deaths reported in a single day since May 29. The statewide totals now stand at 355,217 confirmed infections and 9,345 known deaths. Another 3,587 probable cases and 260 probable deaths are not included in the official totals.

The latest deaths include:

• Christian County: 1 female 80s
• Clark County: 1 male 90s
• Clay County: 1 male 80s
• Clinton County: 1 male 80s
• Cook County: 2 females 60s, 2 males 60s, 2 males 70s, 3 females 80s, 1 male 80s, 1 female 90s, 2 males 90s
• DuPage County: 1 male 30s, 1 female 40s, 1 female 70s, 1 male 70s
• Fayette County: 1 male 80s
• Ford County: 1 male 50s, 1 female 90s
• Franklin County: 1 male 80s, 1 male 90s
• Fulton County: 1 male 90s
• Hancock County: 1 male 60s
• Jackson County: 1 male 70s
• Kane County: 1 male 50s, 1 female 80s
• Kendall County: 1 male 80s, 1 male 90s
• Knox County: 1 female 50s, 1 female 70s, 1 male 90s
• Lake County: 1 female 70s
• Macon County:1 female 90s
• Madison County: 1 male 80s
• Marion County: 2 males 70s, 1 male 80s
• McDonough County: 1 female 80s
• Peoria County: 1 female 40s, 1 female 70s, 1 female 80s
• Richland County: 1 male 80s
• Saline County: 2 females 80s
• Sangamon County: 1 male 80s
• Shelby County: 1 female 60s, 1 male 70s
• St. Clair County: 1 male 80s, 1 male 90s
• Vermilion County: 1 female 70s
• Whiteside County: 2 male 80s, 1 female 90s
• Will County: 1 female 50s, 1 male 80s
• Williamson County: 1 female 90s
• Winnebago County: 1 male 60s, 1 male 70s, 1 female 80s, 1 female 90s, 1 female 100+
• Woodford County: 2 females 90s, 1 male 90s

Hospitalizations continued to rise across the state, jumping another 3.4 percent from Tuesday. As of Tuesday night, 2,238 people were hospitalized with COVID-19 across Illinois. ICU occupancy rose 2.6 percent, from 489 to 502 patients, while ventilator use fell by one patient, from 195 patients on ventilators Monday night to 194 Tuesday night.

The statewide test positivity rate — a rolling, seven-day average — also continued its climb to 5.7 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.

New restrictions will be imposed on Regions 7 and 8 Friday, and in all 34 counties remain at a warning level for a surge in cases, including Adams, Alexander, Boone, Cass, Christian, Clay, Clinton, Crawford, DeKalb, DeWitt, Jasper, Jefferson, Jo Daviess, Johnson, Kane, Lee, Macon, McDonough, McHenry Mercer, Monroe, Pike, Pulaski, Randolph, Saline, Stephenson, Union, Vermilion, Warren, Washington, Wayne, Whiteside, Will and Winnebago.

"Although the reason for counties reaching a warning level varies, some of the common factors for an increase in cases and outbreaks are associated with gatherings in people’s homes, weddings and funerals, bars and clubs, university and college parties as well as college sports teams, family gatherings, long-term care facilities, correctional centers, schools, and cases among the community at large, especially people in their 20s," according to the Illinois Department of Public Health.

State health officials said some businesses have been "blatantly disregarding mitigation measures," and many individuals have not been social distancing or wearing masks.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Sunday blamed president Trump for "modeling bad behavior."

"He doesn't wear a mask in public. He has rallies where they don't encourage people to wear masks in public. This is rhetoric that people understand, particularly in rural areas of my state, that well, 'The president doesn't wear a mask, we don't need to wear a mask. It's not that dangerous,'" he told CNN's Jake Tapper. "The truth of the matter is that it is very dangerous."

Across Illinois, all 11 emergency management regions have seen an increase in the positivity rate since last week. The governor said if cases continue to rise, all regions could "flip" back to stronger restrictions on bars, restaurants and social gatherings.

See how your region is doing here.

The United States now has more than 8.2 million confirmed coronavirus infections and at least 221,460 Americans have died from COVID-19, according to Johns Hopkins University. Based on the latest predictions by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 229,000 to 240,000 Americans could be dead from the disease by Nov. 7.

Globally, more than 40.9 million people have been infected and more than 1.1 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:

Coronavirus Mitigations In Region 7, 8 Start Friday

No indoor service at bars or restaurants is among new restrictions for Regions 7 and 8 — DuPage, Kane, Will and Kankakee counties.

Was Trump Rally A Superspreader For COVID-19? KCHD Investigating

Photos of the Sept. 27 rally show very few people wearing masks and keeping their distance from other people and groups.

Nearly 500 COVID-19 Cases Linked To IL Schools: See Where

Teachers, school leaders and parents want state health officials to provide more info on where the cases are happening.

Gov. Pritzker Blames Trump For "New Wave" Of Coronavirus Cases

The president is "modeling bad behavior" by holding maskless rallies, and IL has had little help from the federal government, Pritzker said.

Chinese-Americans Plan Protest At Coronavirus Sign In Northbrook

The word 'China' was spray-painted on the controversial sign earlier this week.

D109 Reverts To Virtual Learning Amid Coronavirus Case Uptick

The Deerfield school district made the decision just weeks after starting a hybrid learning schedule that includes in-person studies.

Chicago Mayor Warns Of COVID-19 Restrictions Amid "Second Surge"

Mayor Lori Lightfoot says she will reinstate strict Phase 3 coronavirus restrictions if "second surge" of COVID-19 cases continues.

3 Coronavirus Cases Close Kimball Hill School In Rolling Meadows

An adaptive pause will shut down the school building for two weeks.

Skate Park Shut Down Due To 'Minimal Compliance' Of Mask Rules

The Deerfield Park District made the decision based on local health concerns regarding rising coronavirus numbers.

Batavia Gets $1.55M In Coronavirus Relief; Recovery To Take Years

Top official says Batavia's recovery from the coronavirus pandemic will take at least three years, even if vaccines were ready in January.

Coronavirus Deaths Could Double By Feb. 1: Report

A widely cited coronavirus projection model has released updated estimates on how the pandemic could impact Illinois through Feb. 1.

Teen With COVID-19 Infected 11 Relatives From IL, 3 Other States

Experts now believe the coronavirus is airborne, and tiny droplets containing the virus can linger indoors for hours as aerosols.

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: 355,217
• Deaths: 9,345
• People tested: 6,950,105
• Recovered: Illinois does not provide exact numbers of recovered cases, but says the recovery rate is 96 percent.

Nationwide:

• Total number of coronavirus cases: 8,294,695
• Deaths: 221,460
• People tested: 126,954,814
• Recovered: 3,295,426

Global:

• Total number of coronavirus cases: 40,997,453
• Deaths: 1,127,637
• People tested: No data available
• Recovered: 27,975,096

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.