Here's How COVID-19 Cases Are Climbing In Illinois Compared To The Nation

By Samuel Stebbins, 24/7 Wall St. - Chicago

2021-08-24

As a the delta variant continues to spread, new cases of COVID-19 are on the rise in the United States. There were an average of 43.0 new daily cases of the virus for every 100,000 Americans in the past week, up from an average of 38.0 new daily cases per 100,000 the week before.

In total, about 37,085,000 people tested positive for the novel coronavirus in the United States since the first known infection was identified on Jan. 21, 2020.

In keeping with the national trend, new daily cases are increasing in Illinois. Over the past week, there were an average of 26.0 new daily cases of the coronavirus for every 100,000 people across the state, compared to 23.4 new daily cases per 100,000 people the week prior.

Nationwide, the average number of new daily infections has increased in 44 states over the past week. Of all states, Illinois reported the 37th largest uptick in average new infections per day over the last week.

The current average daily infection rate in Illinois ranks as the 18th lowest of all 50 states.

Since Jan. 24, 2020, when the first coronavirus case was identified in Illinois, about 1,474,300 state residents tested positive for the virus. Illinois, home to about 3.9% of the U.S. population, accounts for about 4.0% of all known COVID-19 cases nationwide to date. Among all states, Illinois has the 23rd fewest cumulative COVID-19 cases on a per capita basis.

Nationwide, there have been 620,355 COVID-19 related deaths to date — and 26,182 of them have been in Illinois. Illinois’s coronavirus death per capita rate currently stands at 205 for every 100,000 people. For context, there have been 190 deaths per 100,000.

All COVID-19 data used in this story is current as of August 22, 2021. It is important to note that in some states, weekly infection rates may include cases of the virus that occurred earlier but were not previously counted.

These are all the counties in Illinois where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

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This story was originally published by 24/7 Wall St., a news organization that produces real-time business commentary and data-driven reporting for state and local markets across the country.