Illinois Reports Fewest COVID-19 Deaths in 24-Hour Period Since Mid-April

New statewide totals: 63,840 cases, 2,662 deaths

Nearly 50 people died in Illinois from the coronavirus in the 24-hour period between Sunday and Monday, according to state officials. 

It’s the lowest number of deaths in a single day — 46 — since April 19, when the state reported 33 deaths.

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“When I saw that number today, I was hopeful that this is the beginning or continuation of a trend I’ve been praying for,” Gov. J.B. Pritzker said Monday. “But I think one day is not a helpful number to look at.”

Across Illinois, 2,662 people have died from COVID-19 — including more than 1,000 in Chicago — and 63,840 people have tested positive for the virus, according to health officials.

During his press briefing Monday afternoon, Pritzker also provided an update on hospitalization rates across the state.

“Snapshots in time alone are not enough to offer a full understanding of where we are but together they can offer an indication of how things are trending,” Pritzker said.

On April 5, 3,680 people were hospitalized with COVID-19. That number increased each week until its peak on April 26 with 4,672 patients. It then fell to 4,493 on Saturday.

About 22% of the state’s ventilators were being used by 763 patients as of Saturday, the governor said.

“That’s a lot lower than we expected at this point,” Pritzker said. “And it’s because of the amazing work people have done staying at home and following executive orders.”

Pritzker urged people to continue to stay home and only come into close contact with those living under the same roof “for a little while longer.” 

Even if you don’t have symptoms it doesn’t mean you don’t have the virus, Pritzker said.

As of Saturday, about a third of the state’s 3,681 intensive care unit beds were occupied by COVID-19 patients, which, combined with ICU beds in use by non-COVID-19 patients, leaves 933 ICU beds available statewide, according to Pritzker.

ICU bed availability varies throughout the state by region, Pritzker said, detailing the availability of beds by Illinois Department of Public Health region. In Chicago, 16.9% of ICU beds (186) are available. In downstate Edwardsville, 27.5% of ICU beds (25) are available.

Knowing the availability of beds by region is important for reopening the state, Pritzker said. “(If there’s) a spike in one area that has 25 beds available or 25 ICU beds available, if it’s a significant spike in that area, 25 is not a big number,” he said. “So we want to make sure we can handle a spike.”

Contact Kristen Thometz: @kristenthometz (773) 509-5452  [email protected]


Coronavirus Prevention Tips and Resources

Officials advise taking preventive measures to slow the spread of the virus, including: 

—Washing your hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and water
—Using hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol
—Sneezing or coughing into a tissue and then disposing of the tissue
—Limiting contact with people regardless of how you feel
—Staying home when you are sick

Symptoms of COVID-19 include, but are not limited to:

—New onset of fever, cough, shortness of breath
—Congestion in the nasal sinuses or lungs
—Sore throat, body aches or unusual fatigue

If you think you have COVID-19:

Call you doctor before showing up at their office. If you have a medical emergency and need to call 911, tell the operator that you think you have COVID-19. If possible, wear a mask before medical help arrives or presenting at a doctor’s office. More advice for those who think they have COVID-19.

Additional resources:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Illinois’ COVID-19 website
Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) website
—IDPH COVID-19 hotline: 800-889-3931
—IPDH COVID-19 email link
City of Chicago COVID-19 website
—City of Chicago COVID-19 hotline: 312-746-4835
—City of Chicago COVID-19 email link


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