As deaths mount, Pritzker says coronavirus testing will increase at nursing homes
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Monday said the state is ramping up coronavirus testing of residents and employees at nursing homes in effort to prevent the spread of the virus.
Seven nursing homes in southwestern Illinois have had coronavirus clusters, state data showed Monday. The state announced on Sunday that it would release more information about COVID-19 cases in nursing homes.
Those affected in southwestern Illinois are BRIA of Belleville, Colonnade and Memorial Care Center in St. Clair County; Edwardsville Care Center and Stearns Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Madison County; Carlyle HealthCare Center in Clinton County; and Garden Place Independent & Assisted Living in Monroe County.
Six COVID-19 related deaths of residents have been reported at the Garden Place center in Columbia, according to the Monroe County Health Department.
Pritzker said the state is now delivering coronavirus tests to nursing homes where an outbreak has not been detected as part of the effort to protect elderly residents who are more susceptible to COVID-19.
Pritzker said coronavirus takes a “terrible toll” on senior citizens.
The state delivered tests to two nursing homes without an outbreak on Sunday and planned to deliver tests to 10 more on Monday, Pritzker said.
Pritzker also said that all employees at nursing homes where an outbreak has occurred must be screened before they report to work.
Pritzker, who has conducted a daily news conference on the pandemic since March 9, on Friday ordered all private and public schools to remain closed for the rest of the school year.
He has been asked whether the stay-at-home order will be extended beyond April 30 but he did not announce an update on Monday about this order. Large gatherings are prohibited, bars have been closed and dine-in services by restaurants have been shut down as part of the effort to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
The number of deaths attributed to COVID-19 now stands at 1,349 in the state, the Illinois Department of Public Health announced Monday. That was up 59 from the number released on Sunday.
As of Monday, there had been 31,508 positive coronavirus cases recorded in Illinois, up 1,151 from the previous day.
