46 Coronavirus Deaths Is Illinois' Lowest Toll In Weeks

ILLINOIS — Illinois officials said 46 additional coronavirus deaths bring the state's death toll to 2,662 since the outbreak began. The numbers are sobering but represent a decrease in the number of deaths per day, which hit its lowest point in two weeks on Monday.

But despite potentially signaling that the state's stay-at-home order, combined with increased hospital capacity, is bringing down the rate of deaths and hospitalizations, at least one Illinois town is planning to begin reopening this week.

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East Peoria Mayor John Kahl announced last week that starting today, the city would begin its first phase of reopening, starting with businesses like salons, barbershops and gyms that would have the option of reopening.

That decision is in opposition to the state's stay-at-home order, which isn't set to expire until the end of May.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Monday said East Peoria businesses risk infecting employees and patrons "in defiance of" the stay-at-home order. He also cautioned that businesses that go along with the mayor's reopening plan risk denial of insurance claims in the event of an outbreak.

"Business insurance will not cover you, you will be subject to liability when defying state law or executive order," the governor said.

A letter from some 20 Central Illinois mayors last week urged Pritzker to begin reopening now as part of a three-phase plan, according to WEEK.com. The potential first phase would begin May 1, allowing non-essential businesses to reopen if they choose, so as long as social distancing is maintained. The second phase would start June 1, allowing restaurants, bars and bakeries the option of reopening at up to 75 percent of their normal occupancy, WEEK reported. Phase 3, starting June 3, would allow venues to host events like weddings and funerals.

Meanwhile, with increased testing, an additional 2,341 Illinoisans have tested positive for coronavirus, bringing the state's positive rate to 17 percent of those tested. Statewide, there have been 63,840 coronavirus cases, including potentially thousands who have recovered. Illinois has not yet released data on how many patients have recovered from coronavirus.

Pritzker gave data on hospitalization rates and ventilator usage statewide.

The total number of coronavirus hospitalizations — both confirmed COVID-19 cases and presumed COVID-19 cases — has decreased in Illinois since last week. Here's where it was on the following dates:

• April 5 - 3,680 patients
• April 12 - 4,091 patients
• April 19 - 4,599 patients
• April 26 - 4,672 patients
• As of midnight April 4 - 4,493 patients

Here's the percentage of available ICU beds by region, which has been affected by an increase in hospital capacity:

• Rockford - 51 percent available
• Peoria - 40.2 percent available
• Springfield - 54.3 percent available
• Edwardsville - 27.5 percent available
• Marion - 27.5 percent available
• Champaign - 44.9 percent
• Chicago - 16.9 percent available
• Southwest suburbs - 17.9 percent
• West suburbs - 15.9 percent
• Northwest suburbs - 38.3 percent
• North suburbs - 11.9 percent

The 46 deaths announced Monday include:

• Cook County: 1 female 20s, 1 female 30s, 1 female 40s, 1 male 50s, 2 females 60s, 1 male 60s, 2 females 70s, 3 males 70s, 6 females 80s, 1 male 80s, 1 female 90s, 1 male 90s
• DuPage County: 1 male 70s, 1 female 80s, 1 male 90s
• Iroquois County: 1 female 60s
• Lake County: 1 male 50s, 1 female 70s, 3 males 70s, 2 females 80s, 1 male 80s
• Macon County: 1 male 70s
• Madison County: 1 female 60s, 1 male 90s
• Monroe County: 1 male 70s
• Sangamon County: 1 female 100+
• St. Clair County: 1 female 80s
• Will County: 1 female 30s, 1 male 50s, 3 females 70s, 1 male 80s
• Winnebago County: 1 male 50