Coronavirus Deaths Top 15,000 In Illinois Amid Vaccine Delays

ILLINOIS — Illinois on Friday reported 7,377 new cases of the coronavirus and 181 more deaths from COVID-19, the respiratory illness caused by the virus, bringing the statewide totals to 886,805 infections and 15,015 deaths. The vaccine began rolling out statewide this week, but according to the Gov. J.B. Pritzker, Illinois' expected shipment has been cut in half, and drug manufacturer Pfizer says millions of doses are sitting in its warehouses awaiting instructions from the federal government on where to ship them.

The governor said he has no idea why Illinois will be getting fewer doses of the vaccine than expected or why the Trump administration would leave millions of doses sitting in warehouses instead of distributing them across the country.

The latest deaths in Illinois include:

• Adams County: 1 male 80s
• Boone County: 1 male 80s, 2 females 90s, 1 male 90s
• Cass County: 1 female 70s
• Clay County: 1 male 80s, 1 female 90s
• Cook County: 2 males 40s, 2 females 50s, 4 males 50s, 6 females 60s, 8 males 60s, 7 females 70s, 14 males 70s, 11 females 80s, 9 males 80s, 8 females 90s, 5 males 90s
• Cumberland County: 1 male 90s
• DeKalb County: 1 male 60s, 1 male 70s
• Douglas County: 1 male 90s
• DuPage County: 1 male 40s, 1 male 50s, 1 male 70s, 1 female 90s, 1 male 90s
• Effingham County: 1 female 100+
• Ford County: 2 males 80s, 1 female 90s, 1 male 90s
• Fulton County: 1 male 80s
• Grundy County: 1 male 80s
• Hancock County: 1 male 70s, 1 female 80s
• Iroquois County: 1 male 70s, 1 female 80s
• Jasper County: 1 male 80s
• Jefferson County: 1 male 50s, 1 female 60s, 1 male 80s
• Jersey County: 1 female 90s
• Kane County: 1 female 70s, 1 male 70s, 1 male 80s
• Kankakee County: 1 male 70s, 1 female 80s, 1 female 90s
• Knox County: 1 male 70s
• Lake County: 1 male 60s, 1 male 70s, 3 females 80s, 1 male 80s, 5 females 90s
• LaSalle County: 1 female 70s, 1 male 70s
• Lawrence County: 1 male 70s
• Livingston County: 1 male 70s, 2 females 80s
• Logan County: 1 female 70s, 1 female 80s, 1 male 80s
• Madison County: 1 female 60s, 1 female 80s
• Marion County: 1 female 50s, 2 males 70s
• McHenry County: 1 female 80s, 1 male 80s
• McLean County: 1 female 60s
• Morgan County: 1 male 70s, 1 female 90s
• Ogle County: 1 male 70s
• Peoria County: 1 female 70s, 1 female 80s, 1 male 90s
• Rock Island County: 2 males 70s
• Sangamon County: 1 male 50s, 1 female 60s, 1 male 70s, 1 male 90s
• Shelby County: 1 male 70s
• St. Clair County: 1 female 80s, 1 male 80s
• Stephenson County: 1 male 80s
• Tazewell County: 2 females 80s, 1 male 90s, 1 female 100+
• Warren County: 1 female 80s, 1 male 80s
• Wayne County: 1 male 70s
• White County: 1 female 70s
• Whiteside County: 1 female 80s
• Will County: 1 male 70s, 1 female 80s, 3 males 80s, 1 male 90s
• Williamson County: 1 male 60s
• Winnebago County: 1 male 70s, 1 female 80s, 1 female 90s
• Woodford County: 2 females 80s

As of Thursday night, 4,690 people were hospitalized with COVID-19 across Illinois, including 1,023 in intensive care and 589 on ventilators.

The statewide case positivity rate — a rolling, seven-day average — fell 0.4 percentage points to 8 percent. The test positivity rate fell 0.3 percentage points to 9.7 percent.

The United States now has more than 17.2 million confirmed coronavirus infections, and at least 311,993 Americans have died from COVID -19, according to Johns Hopkins University. Based on the latest predictions by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 357,000 to 391,000 Americans could be dead from the disease by Jan. 9.

Globally, more than 75.2 million people have been infected and more than 1.6 million are known to have died.

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

Thousands Vaccinated As Doses Arrive At Hospitals Across Illinois

But Pfizer says millions of doses are sitting in warehouses with no direction from the federal government.

Pritzker Plans Nearly $711 Million In Cuts To Bridge Budget Gap

The governor said cuts will have a "real human impact" and blasted the GOP for not providing solutions as the state faces a $3.9B shortfall.

Expected Coronavirus Vaccines Shipments To Illinois Cut In Half

The federal government told states half as many Pfizer vaccine doses as expected are being shipped in coming weeks, Gov. J.B. Pritzker said.

Who Is Getting The Coronavirus Vaccine First In Illinois?

"Herd immunity requires maybe 80 percent. We're talking about 10 million people. Five have done it now," Dr. Ngozi Ezike said Tuesday.

Vaccines Do Not Contain Tracking Chips: Ezike

To combat misinformation, Ezike urged people to look at larger bodies of work from science and medical researchers for information.

Chicago Fight Against Coronavirus Gets First Shot In The Arm

Healthcare workers become first Chicagoans to receive the COVID-19 vaccination, a historic moment hailed as the beginning of pandemic's end.

How To Get Updates On COVID-19 Vaccine In McHenry County

The McHenry County Department of Health will send updates via email about when the public can register for the vaccine.

Plainfield Meijer Prepares For Eventual COVID-19 Vaccine Rollout

The pharmacy technicians are crucial public health partners for increasing access and convenience of COVID-19 vaccines, the company said.

Delay Holiday Parties, Travel With 'Finish Line In Sight': Ezike

"There is still time to change your holiday plans," IDPH director Dr. Ngozi Ezike said, reminding residents a coronavirus vaccine is coming.

Mass Vaccination Is Our 'Ticket Out': Top Advocate Doctor

Top doctors with Advocate Aurora Health say vaccines up for approval are safe and effective. They plan to start inoculating staff next week

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: 886,805
• Confirmed Deaths: 15,015
• People tested: 12,259,595
• Recovered: Illinois does not provide exact numbers of recovered cases, but says the recovery rate is 97 percent.

Nationwide:

• Total number of coronavirus cases: 17,293,160
• Deaths: 311,993
• People tested: 224,523,929
• Recovered: latest data unavailable

Global:

• Total number of coronavirus cases: 75,298,991
• Deaths: 1,669,033
• People tested: No data available
• Recovered: 42,550,670

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.