Health officials say Illinois is flattening coronavirus curve, but urges caution
Dr. Ngozi Ezike, Director of the Illinois Department of Public Health, pleaded with anyone holding out from social distancing and staying at home to do so in an effort to stop the spread of COVID-19.
While trends indicate that new infections are slowing and forecast models indicate that Illinois is nearing its peak for new cases and deaths, Ezike used her time during Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s daily press briefing to warn that now is not the time to relax social distancing standards and stay-at-home rules.
“It’s irresponsible to not take the necessary precaution to protect not only yourself but the people around you,” she said. “I’ve heard of people saying ‘oh I’m young, I’ll be fine,’” she said. “That’s not enough because while you might be fine the person you might infect may not be fine.”
Ezike, after reporting 66 additional deaths and 1,344 coronavirus cases in Illinois, said that Illinoisans should continue to take extra precautionary steps to stop the spread of the deadly virus.
“The guidance remains the same,” Ezike said. “We know that anybody can catch this virus which means anyone can transmit it.”
She said those who believe that they or their significant others are not at risk to think of the possible deaths further spread of COVID-19 could cause.
“To the few who think that this is not something to act on, think beyond yourself and think beyond your immediate family,” she said. “If you think that nobody is at high risk remember that there are those who contract that virus from your could literally end their lives.”
A research group forecasting COVID-19 infections and deaths across the country has estimated that Illinois will reach its peak on Sunday while also reducing its estimate on how many in the state might die from the virus.
Maintaining social distancing standards for several more weeks, however, remains key to maintaining the trend it is projecting, The University of Washington’s Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation cautioned.
This story was originally published April 9, 2020 at 3:33 PM.