The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) today announced the first death of an Illinois resident who tested positive for coronavirus disease (COVID-19). The individual was a Chicago resident in her 60s who tested positive earlier this month and had contact with a known COVID-19 case.
“I am deeply saddened by the news that we’ve dreaded since the earliest days of this outbreak: the first COVID-19 related death in Illinois,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “All of Illinois stands with this patient’s family and loved ones in mourning her loss and honoring her memory. May her memory be a blessing. There are going to be moments during the next few weeks and months when this burden feels like it is more than we can bear – this is one of those moments, but we will get through this together.”
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
in Illinois Test Results (3/17/2020)Positive (Confirmed Cases) 160
Deaths 1
Negative Results XX
Under Investigation 1500
“In addition to the death we are sad to report today, we are also reporting an outbreak of COVID-19 in a long-term care facility. Residents in nursing homes are our most vulnerable population and we are doing everything we can to protect them. We may see cases in other long-term care facilities, which is why it is so important that we all do our part to reduce possible exposure in the community to those who go in and out of these facilities as they provide care to resident.”
— IDPH Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike
Updated guidance for nursing homes:
Restrict all visitation except for certain compassionate care situations, such as end of life residents
Restrict all volunteers and non-essential health care personnel (e.g., barbers)
Cancel all group activities and communal dining
Implement active screening of residents and health care personnel for fever and respiratory symptoms
Additional guidance for long-term care facilities is on the IDPH website.
Currently, IDPH is reporting 160 cases in 15 counties in Illinois. Cases have occurred in ages 9 to 91. Cases by county can be found on the IDPH website, as well as a list of local health departments.
For information on actions you, your school, workplace, and community can take, please visit Steps to Stay Safe from COVID-19. For general questions about COVID-19, call the hotline at 1-800-889-3931 or email [email protected].
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There were 105 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Illinois reported Monday, March 16, 2020.
There were 93 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Illinois reported Sunday, March 15, 2020.
There were 66 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Illinois reported Saturday, March 14, 2020.
There were 46 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Illinois reported Friday, March 13, 2020.
There were 32 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Illinois reported Thursday, March 12, 2020.
There were 25 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Illinois reported Wednesday, March 11, 2020.
There were 19 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Illinois reported Tuesday, March 10, 2020.
There were 11 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Illinois reported Monday, March 9, 2020 (Illinois Disaster Proclamation was declared on this date).
There were 7 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Illinois reported Sunday, March 8, 2020.
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CARDINAL NEWS | Illinois Coronavirus Updates — Arlingtoncardinal.com/tag/illinois-coronavirus-update