IL Coronavirus Hospitalizations Up 8 Percent In 2 Days

ILLINOIS — State health officials on Friday reported 2,818 new cases of the coronavirus and 35 additional deaths from COVID-19, the respiratory illness caused by the virus. Statewide totals now stand at 313,518 confirmed infections and 8,945 known deaths. Another 3,038 probable cases and 246 probable deaths are not included in the official totals.

The latest deaths include:

• Coles County: 1 female 90s
• Cook County: 1 male 40s, 1 female 60s, 1 male 60s, 2 males 70s, 2 female 80s, 3 males 80s
• DuPage County: 1 male 60s, 1 male 70s
• Ford County: 1 male 90s
• Lake County: 1 female 100+
• Logan County: 1 female 50s
• Macon County: 1 male 80s
• Marion County: 1 female 90s
• Marshall County: 1 female 90s
• McLean County: 1 male 50s, 1 female 70s
• Monroe County: 1 female 90s
• Sangamon County: 1 male 60s, 1 male 80s
• St. Clair County: 1 female 80s, 1 female 90s
• Tazewell County: 1 female 60s, 1 male 70s, 2 males 80s
• Warren County: 1 female 80s
• Wayne County: 1 female 70s
• Will County: 1 male 60s, 1 male 90s
• Williamson County: 1 male 70s

Hospitalizations rose again Friday and are now up about 3.2 percent from Thursday and almost 8 percent from Wednesday. As of Thursday night, 1,812 people were hospitalized with COVID-19 across the state, including 395 in intensive care and 153 on ventilators, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health.

The statewide positivity rate — a rolling, seven-day average — ticked up a tenth of a percentage point to 3.8 percent. In the past 24 hours, labs in Illinois have processed 71,599 coronavirus tests, for a total of more than 6.1 million since the pandemic began.

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.

State health officials said Friday that 26 counties are now at a "warning level" for a surge of cases. They include: Case, Christian, Clay, Clinton, Coles, Crawford, Effingham, Fayette, Henderson, Jackson, Jefferson, Johnson, Knox, Lake, Lee, Mason, Massac, Pulaski, Richland, Saline, Shelby, Union, Vermilion, Whiteside, Winnebago and Warren.

"Public health officials are observing businesses blatantly disregarding mitigation measures, people not social distancing, gathering in large groups, and not using face coverings," according to a news release from the state health department that encouraged mayors, local law enforcement, state's attorneys and other community leaders to take swift action to slow the spread of the virus.

See how your region is doing here.

The United States now has more than 7.6 million confirmed coronavirus infections — including President Donald Trump — and at least 213,158 Americans have died from COVID-19, according to Johns Hopkins University. Based on the latest predictions by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 224,000 to 233,000 Americans could be dead from the disease by Halloween.

Globally, more than 36.6 million people have been infected and more than 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:

Restrictions Lifted On Metro East As Region 4 Returns To Phase 4

“We are excited to see that after weeks of mitigation measures and sacrifice, Region 4 has reduced its positivity rate," Dr. Ezike said.

Northern Illinois University Cancels Commencement, Spring Break

Provost Beth Ingram called the decision "heartbreaking for our graduates and their families." Find the revised spring schedule here.

Illinois Mail-In Voting: How To Get A Ballot, Drop Box Locations

Plus, mail-in voting deadlines. Follow these steps on how to properly cast your ballot by mail in Illinois.

102-Year-Old Chicago Woman Wears PPE To Mail Ballot: 'Vote!'

In a recent Instagram post, the Chicago Teachers Union stated, "If Bea can do it, anyone can do it. Vote!"

Haunted Hike To Bring Safe Scares To Batavia During Pandemic

Batavia's West Main Community Park will host several Halloween events this year, including two nights of "A Nightmare at West Main."

Haunted Car Wash Brings COVID-Free Thrills

From Oct. 28 to 31, Brittain's Car Wash will be transformed into Brittain's Tunnel of Terror.

Halloween 2020: Submit Your Haunt For Patch's Tour o' Scary Yards

As communities decide whether to allow trick or treating during the pandemic, that doesn't mean we can't have fun driving around looking at Halloween decorations.

Socially Distant Halloween Egg Hunts Might Save Trick-Or-Treating

One St. Louis resident is pitching an idea for safe trick-or-treating this year, and a local company has stepped forward to make it happen.

St. Charles Extends Outdoor Dining Permits To Support Restaurants

The temporary permits will expire if St. Charles moves to Phase 3 or Phase 5 of Illinois' coronavirus reopening plan.

Police Remove Geneva Shopper For Not Wearing Mask During Pandemic

Geneva police were called twice to Ace Hardware in August after a man refused to wear a mask or leave the store, according to a report.

Drive-Thru Coronavirus Testing Now Available In Deerfield D109

The school district is offering the free testing for students and staff at the district office on Deerfield Road.

New Geneva Studio Offers Safe Space For Dancers Amid Pandemic

The Elise Flagg Academy of Dance recently opened its doors in Geneva with coronavirus-related restrictions in place.

Lake County Sees Uptick In Opioid Deaths Amid COVID-19 Pandemic

"The pandemic has impacted the people of Lake County in many ways, including those suffering from addiction."

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: 313,518
• Deaths: 8,945
• People tested: 6,177,379
• Recovered: Illinois does not provide exact numbers of recovered cases, but says the recovery rate is 96 percent.

Nationwide:

• Total number of coronavirus cases: 7,635,052
• Deaths: 213,158
• People tested: 112,117,737
• Recovered: 3,021,252

Global:

• Total number of coronavirus cases: 36,694,318
• Deaths: 1,064,204
• People tested: No data available
• Recovered: 25,509,783

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.