Make Small Sacrifices Now To Avoid Large Ones Later: IL's Top Doc

ILLINOIS — The state is headed in the wrong direction, Illinois public health director Ngozi Ezike made clear Wednesday afternoon, asking Illinoisans to make small sacrifices now to avoid large ones later. A day later, state health officials announced 1,772 new cases of the coronavirus — the most since May 24 — and 18 additional deaths from COVID-19, the respiratory illness caused by the virus. The statewide total now stands at 176,896 confirmed infections and 7,478 known deaths. Another 1,242 probable cases and 192 probable deaths are not included in the official totals.

The latest deaths include:

• Champaign County: 1 female 90s
• Cook County: 1 male 50s, 1 male 60s, 1 female 70s, 2 males 70s, 1 female 80s, 2 males 80s
• DeKalb County: 1 female 80s, 1 female 90s
• DuPage County: 1 male 80s
• Kane County: 1 female 70s
• Kankakee County: 1 male 60s
• Lake County:1 male 80s
• Macon County: 1 male 50s
• Madison County: 1 male 60s
• Winnebago County: 1 male 80s

As of Wednesday night, 1,452 people were hospitalized with COVID-19 across the state. Of those, 353 were in intensive care and 149 were on ventilators, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health.

"We are seeing what much of the country is seeing in terms of a resurgence in the number of cases," Ezike said. "Not only have we started to see an increase in the cases over the last several weeks, but we're also seeing a slight increase in hospital admissions, as well.

"These are clearly indicators that we are headed in the wrong direction."

Ezike said that over the last 30 days, every region in Illinois has seen significant increases in case numbers and hospitilizations. (See how your region is doing here.) She asked people to consider going back to ordering take-out only from restaurants, canceling family reunions and bachelor parties, or other taking other measures to slow the spread.

"We are still having to make sacrifices, because this pandemic is not over. And each of us is called to make that personal sacrifice now to avoid making a much larger one down the road," Ezike said. "The virus is not done with us, no matter how much we want to be done with it."

As the numbers head in the wrong direction, Gov. J.B. Pritzker also warned that "if things don't change, a reversal (of reopening) is where we're headed."

He placed new restrictions on youth sports Wednesday afternoon, saying outbreaks tied to sports camps in Lake Zurich and a softball league in Knox County were "particularly troubling."

"When the multi-billion dollar sports leagues with multi-million dollar athletes are struggling to protect their players it is obvious there won't be enough protection for kids on our school's playing fields," Pritzker said.

In the past 24 hours, labs in Illinois have processed 41,134 coronavirus tests, for a total of more than 2.6 million since the pandemic began. The state's rolling, seven-day positivity rate is 3.8 percent — four-tenths of a percentage point higher than last week and 1.4 percentage points higher than last month.

According to Johns Hopkins University, a positivity rate of less than 5 percent is a good measure of whether enough tests are being conducted in a given state.

As of Thursday, the United States as a whole had tested more than 53.8 million people for the coronavirus. The country now has more than 4.4 million confirmed coronavirus infections, and, according to Johns Hopkins University, at least 150,733 Americans have died from COVID-19.

Based on the latest predictions by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 160,000 to 175,000 Americans could be dead from the disease by Aug. 15.

Globally, more than 17 million people have been infected and 667,808 are known to have died.

Illinois Coronavirus Helpline:

Illinois officials say a state helpline has been set up to provide emotional support and quick answers to questions about the coronavirus pandemic. Illinoisans can test "TALK" to 55-2020 (or "HABLAR" for Spanish), and within 24 hours they will receive a call from a counselor. Residents can also text keywords such aS "UNEMPLOYMENT," "FOOD" or "SHELTER," to the same number to receive additional information about those topics.

Here's what's happening with the coronavirus in Illinois:

Teachers Unions Warn Of Strikes If Schools Reopen Unsafely

"No avenue or action is off the table," the chiefs of the Illinois Education Association and Illinois Federation of Teachers said.

FDA Recalls 75 Hand Sanitizers That May Be In Illinois Homes

As the coronavirus persists and demand for hand sanitizers grows, people in Illinois may have brands that contain dangerous methanol.

City Demands 'Big Tent Revival' Attendees Wear Masks

Organizer Torben Sondergaard took to social media to request assistance from President Trump as religious event continues through Sunday.

Double J: Coronavirus Case Won't Close Essington Road Bar

Double J recently celebrated its 20th anniversary as a Joliet business. It's located at 1001 Essington Road.

Pritzker Places Restrictions On Youth Sports In Illinois

Gov. J.B. Pritzker made the announcement Wednesday as the Illinois High School Association meets to discus the future of fall sports.

School Reopening Tracker: Illinois Districts Start Backtracking On Hybrid Plans

Leaders are expected to balance public health guidelines and educate students safely without additional money from the state.

LFHS Board Rejects Recommendation For Fully Remote Learning

Board members asked Lake Forest High School administrators to present a plan for in-person instruction before the start of the school year.

Four States Added To Chicago's Emergency Travel Quarantine List

Wisconsin, Missouri, North Dakota and Nebraska have been added to Chicago's Emergency Travel Order starting Friday. Indiana could be next.

Mobile Coronavirus Test Unit To Travel Through Kane Co. This Week

The mobile unit is scheduled to make stops in Geneva, St. Charles, Elgin, Carpentersville and Aurora.

Coronavirus Cases In Kane Co. Growing Fastest Among 20-Somethings

Nearly 240 residents in their 20s tested positive in July, 40 percent more than any other age group, public health data shows.

Target Closes On Thanksgiving, Will Adjust Holiday Sales Schedule

The Minneapolis-based retailer says 'this isn't a year for crowds' and will begin offering holiday savings in October to keep shoppers safe.

Sewing Masks For Pregnant, Postpartum Women: Glenview Shop Helps

Glenview business owner Jill Weeks is working with the Masks-For-Moms campaign during the COVID-19 pandemic.

70% Not Ready For Indoor Dining; 63% Against Indoor Events: Poll

A majority of Kane County residents believe it's still too soon to eat inside restaurants, according to a poll of Patch readers in the area.

Virtual Lollapalooza Festival Announces Partial Musical Lineup

The annual Grant Park-based musical festival was canceled in June due to the coronavirus pandemic but will offer free YouTube streaming

Mitchell Pool Closes Due To Staff Coronavirus Case In Deerfield

The Deerfield Park District also announced Monday a second staff member is exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms.

Coronavirus by the numbers:

Illinois:

• Total number of coronavirus cases: 176,896
• Deaths: 7,478
• People tested: 2,649,786
• Recovered: Illinois does not provide exact numbers of recovered cases, but says the recovery rate is 95 percent.

Nationwide:

• Total number of coronavirus cases: 4,464,906
• Deaths: 151,570
• People tested: 53,825,445
• Recovered: 1,389,425

Global:

• Total number of coronavirus cases: 17,116,702
• Deaths: 668,949
• People tested: No data available
• Recovered: 10,003,378

Sources: Johns Hopkins University and IDPH

Tips from the CDC on dealing with coronavirus:

While the best way to prevent illness is to avoid virus exposure, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention generally recommends taking these actions to prevent the spread of viruses:

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipes.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom, before eating, and after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing.

What to do if you're sick:

Call head if you're planning to visit your doctor:

• If you have a medical appointment, call the health care provider and tell them that you have or may have COVID-19. This will help the health care provider's office take steps to keep other people from getting infected or exposed.

Stay home unless you must see a doctor:

• Stay home: People who are mildly ill with COVID-19 are able to isolate at home during their illness. You should restrict activities outside your home, except for getting medical care.
• Avoid public areas: Do not go to work, school, or public areas.
• Avoid public transportation: Avoid using public transportation, ride-sharing or taxis.

Separate yourself from other people and animals in your home:

• Stay away from others: As much as possible, you should stay in a specific room and away from other people in your home. Also, you should use a separate bathroom, if available.
• Limit contact with pets and animals: You should restrict contact with pets and other animals while you are sick with COVID-19, just as you would around other people. Although there have not been reports of pets or other animals becoming sick with COVID-19, it is still recommended that people sick with COVID-19 limit contact with animals until more information is known about the virus.
• When possible, have another member of your household care for your animals while you are sick. If you are sick with COVID-19, avoid contact with your pet, including petting, snuggling, being kissed or licked and sharing food. If you must care for your pet or be around animals while you are sick, wash your hands before and after you interact with pets and wear a face mask. See COVID-19 and Animals for more information.

Avoid sharing personal household items:

• Do not share: You should not share dishes, drinking glasses, cups, eating utensils, towels, or bedding with other people or pets in your home.
• Wash thoroughly after use: After using these items, they should be washed thoroughly with soap and water.

Masks:

• CDC recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain (e.g., grocery stores and pharmacies), especially in areas of significant community-based transmission. CDC also advises the use of simple cloth face coverings to slow the spread of the virus and help people who may have the virus and do not know it from transmitting it to others. Cloth face coverings fashioned from household items or made at home from common materials at low cost can be used as an additional, voluntary public health measure.
• Cloth face coverings should not be placed on young children under age 2, anyone who has trouble breathing, or is unconscious, incapacitated or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance.
• The cloth face coverings recommended are not surgical masks or N-95 respirators. Those are critical supplies that must continue to be reserved for healthcare workers and other medical first responders, as recommended by current CDC guidance.
• Face mask instructions — sew- and no-sew masks

To donate personal protective equipment (PPE), email PPE.donations@illinois.gov. For health questions about COVID-19, call the state coronavirus hotline at 800-889-3931 or email dph.sick@illinois.gov.