Coronavirus kills three more people in Illinois, including one in Springfield
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker has announced three more deaths in the state due to COVID-19.
One patient, a 71-year-old Florida woman being treated at Memorial Medical Center in Springfield, died from the virus Thursday. She was visiting the Springfield area when she became ill and was the first confirmed case in Sangamon County.
Two other patients, a man in his 50s in Will County and a Cook County woman in her 80s, have also died from the coronavirus, Pritzker said. The first patient to die from the virus, a 61-year-old Chicago woman, was announced Tuesday.
“The number of COVID-19 cases being reported is rising quickly, partly because of the increase in testing by commercial and hospital laboratories,” a news release from the Illinois Department of Public Health said. “Because testing is becoming more available in these labs, IDPH will prioritize testing for our most vulnerable populations, such as those who work or live in nursing homes and other congregate facilities.”
On Wednesday, the state said there 288 cases statewide so with the 134 cases announced Thursday, the latest total is 422 cases.
As of Thursday, the state health department reports there are COVID-19 cases in 22 counties in Illinois. Cases have occurred in persons from 9 to 99 years old.
Three cases have been reported in Clinton and St. Clair counties and one in Madison.
School closures
Pritzker had a message for parents: Make a plan in case the school shutdown is extended.
“We’re obviously evaluating that every day,” Pritzker said during a news conference Thursday when asked about the school closures. “...right now we’re sticking with the March 31st date.”
Pritzker previously ordered that all public and private schools close from March 17 until March 31.
Economic impact
Pritzker acknowledged the COVID-19 outbreak will have a “significant effect” on the state’s economy.
“The cost is enormous,” he said.
Pritzker said “many, many layoffs” have already occurred and that it’s only been since Monday night that the ban on dine-in restaurants and the bar shut down took effect.
He expects the Small Business Administration to assist businesses across the state.
The BND reported Thursday that layoffs have occurred sooner than expected at Lindenwood University-Belleville’s athletics department because the spring sports seasons had ended because of the coronavirus. Also, the college has announced last year that it was ending its undergraduate program on the Belleville campus.
Coronavirus updates
An executive order “significantly” expanding telemedicine for both Medicaid and those who are private insured was announced Thursday.
“This order will allow more providers to get reimbursed for these services and allow patients more flexibility and safety in getting the medical guidance and care that they need,” Pritzker said.
Pritzker also announced during a news conference that 2,000 more tests per day would be available starting Friday. As of Thursday, the state was testing 1,000 patients per day
On Wednesday, Pritzker said he is prepared to order travel and quarantine restrictions in Illinois to limit the spread of coronavirus if scientific guidance recommends it. He said the state government was looking at restrictions in nations like France, Spain and Italy where the virus had spread quickly.
Pritzker also deployed roughly 60 Illinois National Guard to deliver meals to children who are out of school and don’t have access to food. The members are stationed in Peoria and will be dispersed from there as the need grows.
Over the weekend, Pritzker issued a ban on groups of 50 people and also advised Illinoisans to adhere to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s recommendation to avoid gatherings of more than 10.
Also Wednesday, Illinois State Police Director Brendan Kelly reminded restaurant and bar owners of the consequences they face if they violate the governor’s order to limit service to curbside pickup, drive-thru or delivery. Kelly said the owners could lose their business license, liquor license, operating permit and face permanent closure.
As of Thursday, there was one confirmed coronavirus case in Madison County, three in St. Clair County, three in Clinton County, one in Washington County and one in Williamson County. Statewide, there were 422 confirmed cases in 22 counties and a total of four deaths.
This story was originally published March 19, 2020 at 3:06 PM.
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