4th IL Coronavirus Case As School Staff, 2 Kids Possibly Exposed

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, IL — A couple in their 70s have tested positive for COVID-19, becoming the third and fourth Illinois coronavirus patients, respectively, officials with the Illinois Department of Public Health and Cook County Department of Public Health announced Monday. The husband remains at Northwest Community Hospital in Arlington Heights after becoming the third confirmed case of coronavirus in the state, while his wife is quarantined at home and is complying with health officials.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker said both patients are in good condition and state officials are working to identify and monitor anyone who came in close contact with them.

Asked why the elderly man is hospitalized and his wife isn't, IDPH Director Ngozi Ezike said health officials are working to keep people out of the hospital as long as they are well enough to be home. "We in general would like to keep people out of the hospital if we can," she said, adding that approach minimizes potential exposure to healthcare workers.

Currently, 286 people in Illinois are being monitored for the virus but have not tested positive, Ezike said, adding that the state is taking an aggressive strategy to identify patients.

Ezike said Illinois is employing "sentinel surveillance" and testing samples given voluntarily by patients who have flu-like symptoms but have tested negative for the flu.

"As we identify any cases — we may not, but if we do — we’ll be sure to notify you," Ezike said.

School employees, children quarantined

Meanwhile, two employees of Arlington Heights School District 25 and their two children are also quarantined after possible exposure to the new coronavirus. According to NBC Chicago, the two adults and their children are staying home from work and school after a member of their babysitter's family was exposed to a coronavirus patient.

The two adults and their children reportedly work at or attend Dryden, Ivy Hill, Greenbrier and Olive Mary Stitt schools, according to a letter to the school community from Superintendent Lori Bein.

It's unclear if the District 25 situation is related to the patient at Northwest Community Hospital or his wife, WGN reported.

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Illinois had two previous confirmed cases of COVID-19: a Chicago woman and her husband, both in their 60s. The woman was diagnosed after arriving home to Chicago in January from traveling to Wuhan, China. Her husband became the first human-to-human coronavirus case in the United States.

The woman and her husband, who were treated at a suburban hospital before being released to home isolation, have since recovered completely and have been released from isolation.

Nationwide, six deaths have been reported from coronavirus, all in Washington state.

Pritzker: Risk remains low

During a news conference Monday afternoon, Pritzker said coronavirus risk remains low across the state, but it's a risk officials are taking seriously.

He said he and Ezike remain in constant communication with local, state and federal lawmakers regarding the virus and said he is also looking out for patients' rights.

Pritzker said he plans to meet with CEOs from the largest insurance companies in the state to talk about accessibility and affordability of care as concerns around the coronavirus grows.

"We are on alert for any price gouging or unfair practices," Pritzker said.

He also said anyone with concerns about coronavirus can contact a state hotline for information or to report a potential case. Residents can reach the hotline at 1-800-889-3931, email DPH.SICK@ILLINOIS.GOV or visit the IDPH website.

As for what residents should do to protect themselves, Pritzker reminded residents to wash their hands, stay home when they are not feeling well, cover their nose and mouth when they sneeze or cough, and contact their doctor if they are sick.

"Continue taking the same precautions you take during flu season with renewed vigilance," Pritzker said.

>> Coronavirus expected to spread

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