Illinois Coronavirus Update Sept. 22: 277,266 Cases, 8,486 Deaths

ILLINOIS — State health officials on Tuesday announced 1,531 new cases of the coronavirus and 30 additional deaths from COVID-19, the respiratory illness caused by the virus. The statewide totals now stand at 277,266 confirmed infections and 8,486 known deaths. Another 2,198 probable cases and 236 probable deaths are not included in the official totals.

The latest deaths include:

• Coles County: 2 males 80s
• Cook County: 1 female 30s, 2 males 60s, 2 females 80s, 1 male 80s
• Crawford County: 1 male 70s
• DuPage County: 1 female 80s
• Greene County: 1 female 90s
• Jefferson County; 1 male 50s
• Jersey County: 1 male 80s
• Lake County: 1 female 70s
• LaSalle County: 1 male 70s
• Livingston County: 1 female 80s
• Madison County: 1 female 80s
• McLean County: 1 male 80s
• Morgan County: 1 male 50s, 1 female 90s
• St. Clair County: 1 female 70s, 1 female 80s, 1 male 80s, 1 female 90s
• Tazewell County: 1 female 80s, 1 male 90s
• Will County: 1 male 70s
• Williamson County: 1 female 90s, 1 male 90s, 1 female 100+

As of Sunday night, 1,455 people were hospitalized with COVID-19 across the state, including 367 in intensive care and 153 on ventilators, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health.

Twenty-four counties remain at a "warning level" for a surge in cases, health officials said Friday. They include: Bond, Bureau, Cass, Clinton, Coles, Crawford, Cumberland, DeWitt, Edwards, Effingham, Greene, Jasper, Jo Daviess, Lawrence, Madison, Marion, Rock Island, St. Clair, Shelby, Washington, Wayne, Williamson, Wabash, and Union.

See how your region is doing here.

"Although the reasons for counties reaching a warning level varies, some of the common factors for an increase in cases and outbreaks are associated with university and college parties as well as college sports teams, large gatherings and events, bars and clubs, weddings and funerals, long-term care facilities, correctional centers, manufacturing plants, schools, and cases among the community at large," health officials said. "General transmission of the virus in the community is also increasing."

The statewide positive-test rate is currently 3.5 percent. The number is a rolling, seven-day average and represents a 0.1 percentage point decline from last week. In the past 24 hours, labs in Illinois have processed 41,829 coronavirus tests, for a total of more than 5.1 million since the pandemic began.

According to Johns Hopkins University, a positivity rate of less than 5 percent is a good measure of whether enough tests are being conducted, and state officials have said a rate higher than 8 percent will trigger new restrictions in a given region.

The United States now has more than 6.8 million confirmed coronavirus infections, and at least 200,252 Americans have died from COVID-19, according to Johns Hopkins University. Based on the latest predictions by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 207,000 to 218,000 Americans could be dead from the disease by Oct. 10.

Globally, more than 31.4 million people have been infected and 966,574 are known to have died.

Illinois Patch Local Business Information Center

As local and state economies slowly emerge from pandemic lockdowns, it's often hard for customers to know the conditions under which local businesses are open. The business center contains easily accessible and up-to-date information about scores of local businesses, including everything from operating hours to the availability of by-appointment services, quick website links and other contact information. It's free to use and free for businesses to join.

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

Chicago Coronavirus Positivity Rate Falls Below 5 Percent

The percentage of coronavirus tests in Chicago to come back positive for the virus this week fell to its lowest point since early August.

Will County Bars, Restaurants Can Reopen: Gov. Pritzker

An announcement came Friday morning revealing that coronavirus cases dropped for three straight days for Will and Kankakee Counties.

New Study Links Pollution To COVID-19 Deaths

The website QuoteWizard examined EPA emissions trends to examine pollution in states alongside the Centers for Disease Control's numbers.

Illinois State Rep. Sam Yingling Tests Positive For Coronavirus

The Democrat and Grayslake resident wrote in a social media post that he was diagnosed last week after experiencing cold-like symptoms.

VVSD Seeks Opinion On Bringing Students Back In Person

Parents are expected to complete the survey by Thursday, choosing either in-person or hybrid learning options starting Oct. 26.

Big Ten College Football To Resume Play, Trump Claims Credit

Players will be tested daily, and data from cardiac testing used to aid coronavirus research, Big Ten Conference officials announced.

Coronavirus Life: How To Handle Flu Season During The COVID-19 Pandemic

The flu shot is even more crucial this year. Consumer Reports offers tips on how to cope with a possible twindemic of flu and coronavirus.

Trick-Or-Treating A Go In Manhattan; Can Be 'Accomplished Safely'

Manhattan police added that "traditions and rituals are important for psychological health and the overall well-being of the community."

D225 Students Return To In-Person Learning Oct. 5

The Board of Education approved a hybrid schedule Monday night at a special meeting.

Region 8 Positivity Rate Still 5.5% Despite Jumps In Past Month

The Kane-DuPage region saw some of its highest positivity rates within the past 30 days, but its overall rate is the same as it was Aug. 20.

Coronavirus Low Risk To Healthy Kids: Troy 30-C Petition Drive

"My daughter's mental health is in danger," one parent wrote. "She is severely depressed. Crying DAILY!!! My heart is breaking for her well being. We need to stop doing this to our babies!! Covid doesn't scare me."

Coronavirus Case At Northbrook School Involves 'Individual'

Northbrook School District 28 is not identifying if the person diagnosed is a student or staff member.

IDPH To Close Coronavirus Testing Site At Chicago Premium Outlets

The mall's property owner decided against renewing a lease to conduct coronavirus testing outside the Chicago Premium Outlets.

Sports Club Closing End Of Month In Northbrook

Owners of Five Seasons Family Sports Club are blaming the coronavirus, real estate taxes and declining membership for the decision.

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.

Coronavirus by the numbers:

Illinois:

• Total number of coronavirus cases: 277,266
• Deaths: 8,486
• People tested: 5,185,216
• Recovered: Illinois does not provide exact numbers of recovered cases, but says the recovery rate is 96 percent.

Nationwide:

• Total number of coronavirus cases: 6,872,925
• Deaths: 200,252
• People tested: 95,108,559
• Recovered: 2,615,974

Global:

• Total number of coronavirus cases: 31,409,623
• Deaths: 966,574
• People tested: No data available
• Recovered: 21,543,874

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.