The Illinois Department of Public Health along with Governor J.B. reported the first coronavirus case associated with a long-term care facility, and the first cases of of coronavirus (COVID-19) in Central Illinois and Southern Illinois.
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
in Illinois Test Results (3/13/2020)Positive (Confirmed Cases) 64
Negative Results 449
Under Investigation 195
New Case Locations 3/14/2020
Cumberland County (1)
DuPage County (1)
St. Clair County (2)
Woodford County (1)
City of Chicago (7)
Suburban Cook County (4)
Kane County (1)
Lake County (1)
Guidance Regarding Social Distancing and Event Cancellations
I want to thank many of our residents who have taken these guidelines to heart. I know this is hard for everyone. That said, we saw a lot of crowds out and about today, and I need to be frank: we can have a massive positive effect on bending the transmission curve, thereby saving lives, if people will take this seriously. We have seen positive results in countries that took aggressive action, and we have seen tragic outcomes in countries that did not. If you are young and healthy, listen up: We need you to follow social distancing guidelines, too. You may only have mild symptoms for a few days and may think that you’re just fine, but you can have the unintended tragic effect of spreading COVID-19 to others who may be more vulnerable. Please, please, do the right thing for your community, for your friends, and for your family. So once gain, no matter how healthy you feel, if you can, stay home. If you are able to tele-work, do so. If you don’t have to travel, don’t. This isn’t forever. This is a sacrifice for the short term to help our hospitals, our health care workers, our testing labs, and our vulnerable and our elderly residents. Every action that we take to control the spread of this virus, and prevent our medical infrastructure from dealing with too many cases at once is an action that saves lives. Every day that we follow social distancing protocols, we save lives.
— Governor JB Pritzker
Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Saturday, March 14, 2020 in a press conference at about 2:45 p.m. announced that a DuPage County woman in her 60s, residing in a long-term care facility, tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19). He began the press conference scolding people for gathering in groups this weekend.
Illinois Department of Public health officials are on the ground and working with the long-term care facility to identify all close contacts and protect the health and safety of all residents and staff at the facility. Infection control measures are required for all nursing homes, additional vigilance for respiratory illness should be implement as well as increased cleaning, and visitor restrictions are to be implemented. The Illinois Department of Public Health has guidance for long-term care facilities on its website to assist facilities take proactive steps to ensure the health and safety of their workers, patients and families.
Central and Southern Illinois
A Woodford County resident in his 70s and a Cumberland County resident in his 70s both tested positive for COVID-19.
Additionally, two St. Clair County residents have tested positive – a woman in her 60s and a woman in her 70s. Possible exposures and travel histories for the two individuals are still being investigated and public health officials are working to identify and contact all individuals who are close contacts for these two cases.
The total number of cases in Illinois now stands at 64. In addition to cases in Cumberland, DuPage, St. Clair, and Woodford counties, there are seven new cases in Chicago, four in suburban Cook, one in Kane, and one in Lake counties. Public health officials are still investigating the travel history of these individuals and any potential contact with a known COVID-19 case. Public health officials will identify and contact people who are considered close contacts of these cases.
“As we expected, we are beginning to identify cases of COVID-19 outside of the Chicago area. Over the past several days, we have announced aggressive measures to reduce and slow the spread of the virus in Illinois. These are not easy decisions to make and we are not taking them lightly, but we believe these actions will help limit the spread of the virus in our communities and keep our residents safe.”
— Governor JB Pritzker
IDPH Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike reported there have been no deaths.
Karen Ayala, , Executive Director, DuPage County Board of Health announced there are no additional precautions for individuals to take with the news of a patient testing positive in a long-term care facility in DuPage County. She also stated there is no reason to panic.
Dr. Allison Arwady, Commissioner of Chicago Department of Public Health also spoke, and reported that the polls will remain open on Tuesday, March 17, 2020.
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Woodford County is near Peoria and Bloomington, Illinois.
St. Clair County is just east of St. Louis.
Cumberland County is south of Champaign, Illinois near Effingham.