Illinois Seeing More and More COVID-19 Cases as Testing Continues to Increase – WTTW News

The number of novel coronavirus cases in Illinois continues to rise by another 2,450 from Friday to Saturday, with 105 people dying after testing positive despite residents statewide being subjected to a stay-at-home order for six weeks.

The steady rise really is a function of doing more tests, Gov. J.B. Pritzker said during his daily briefing Saturday. And, in fact, what youll find is a lower infection rate. If you do the math, of how many tests done as a denominator and how many positives as a numerator, youll see that weve come down on average, from what was around (a) 21% or 22% infection rate to something in the high teens.

In the past 24 hours, labs have processed 15,208 specimens more than double the tests that were being processed on a daily basis a month ago.

In total, Illinois has seen 58,505 COVID-19 cases with 2,559 resulting in death.

Backlash against Pritzker, and the clampdowns he has issued in order to prevent spread of the virus, are also increasing.

Friday saw protests outside the state capitol and the Thompson Center in downtown Chicago, where the governor gives his daily coronavirus briefings, with some people carrying signs with Nazi propaganda and swastikas.

The meaning of that swastika is apparently unknown to the people who are carrying it or if it is known, it is a demonstration of the hate that is among us, Pritzker said. Having said all that, these were a few hundred demonstrators. And there are millions of people in the state of Illinois, really good people who are doing the right thing protecting each other during this extraordinary crisis.

The protesters are upset with Pritzker's latest executive order, which spans through May but loosens some restrictions: Retailers have the green light to open for curbside pickup or delivery, golfers can once again hit the greens, some state parks have reopened and religious organizations can hold worship services with ten or fewer people.

Chicago, however, is not allowing golf courses or paths like the Lakefront to open just yet.

Nothing in our data justifies it, Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot said.

But the latest statewide executive order also imposes new requirements, including that everyone over the age of two who can medically tolerate it must wear a face covering or mask in public.

The order calls for coverings to be worn wherever and whenever social distancing is not feasible.

But Pritzker on Saturday stressed that masks should be worn in public, period including when people are walking around their neighborhoods.

Face coverings are vital for people to wear. In fact, it may be the most important thing that you can do to save other peoples lives, to keep other people from getting infected and to protect people in your own home, he said.

The governor said hes noticed that people seem to think that if theyre on the sidewalk, they dont need to wear a mask if theres nobody six feet directly in front of or behind them.

People feel like why do I need to wear a mask? Well you know why: Its because someone may be coming from the (other) direction toward you, Pritkzer said. You are going to be within six feet of that person for at least a few moments, as you pass that person and the next person, and the next person.

Five of Illinois 102 counties Edgar, Edwards, Pope, Putnam and Scott continue to see no cases. Brown County saw its first case on Thursday.

Follow Amanda Vinicky on Twitter:@AmandaVinicky

Coronavirus Prevention Tips and Resources

Officials advise taking preventive measures to slow the spread of the virus, including:

Washing your hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and waterUsing hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcoholSneezing or coughing into a tissue and then disposing of the tissueLimiting contact with people regardless of how you feelStaying home when you are sick

Symptoms of COVID-19 include, but are not limited to:

New onset of fever, cough, shortness of breathCongestion in the nasal sinuses or lungsSore throat, body aches or unusual fatigue

If you think you have COVID-19:

Call you doctor before showing up at their office. If you have a medical emergency and need to call 911, tell the operator that you think you have COVID-19. If possible, wear a mask before medical help arrives or presenting at a doctors office. More advice for those who think they have COVID-19.

Additional resources:

Centers for Disease Control and PreventionIllinois COVID-19 websiteIllinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) websiteIDPH COVID-19 hotline: 800-889-3931IPDH COVID-19 email linkCity of Chicago COVID-19 websiteCity of Chicago COVID-19 hotline: 312-746-4835City of Chicago COVID-19 email link

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Illinois Seeing More and More COVID-19 Cases as Testing Continues to Increase - WTTW News