Coronavirus In Illinois: What You Need To Know For March 11

ILLINOIS — As the nationwide tally of coronavirus cases hit more than 1,000, officials in Illinois have called off large events like the Chicago St. Patrick's Day parade, saying they are postponed — but no alternate dates have been announced.

Meanwhile, Illinois' case count jumped to 25, including several individuals outside of Cook County in Lake and McHenry counties.

The governor urged residents to "think critically" before attending large events, and said some residents should consider requesting a vote by mail ballot for the March 17 primary before the deadline on Thursday.

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The Illinois State Capitol is also closed until March 24.

Nationwide, there have been 29 coronavirus deaths. There have not been any deaths in Illinois.

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

Coronavirus In IL: Here Are All The Cancellations, Closures

Several major events in Illinois were canceled due to ongoing coronavirus concerns.

Coronavirus Fears: Chicago St. Patrick's Day Parade Postponed

A day after organizers said the Chicago's St. Patrick's Day parade was still on, they reversed their decision, postponing Saturday's parade amid coronavirus fears. The announcement comes after Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Tuesday said health officials were having conversations with organizers of large events, including the St. Patrick's Day Parade and the South Side Irish Parade.

South Side Irish Parade Canceled Due To Coronavirus

Bad Luck Of The Irish: South Side St. Patrick's Day Parade in Beverly was canceled due to concerns over new coronavirus.

Free Coronavirus Testing Under Largest IL Insurance Companies

Aetna also says it will not charge co-pays for Teledoc/telemedicine visits for 90 days — for any reason.

Amid Coronavirus Concerns, Lombard District 44 Cancels Classes

The district canceled classes Wednesday after someone who tested positive for COVID-19 attended a volleyball game at a middle school.

Polling Places Moved From Nursing Homes Amid Coronavirus Fears

Four McHenry County polling places will be moved from senior care facilities to alternate locations, county officials said.

Vote-By-Mail Ballots Spike In Suburban Cook County Due To COVID-19 Fears

Cook County Clerk orders emergency hand sanitizers and wipes and closes early voting site in nursing home due to coronavirus fears.

New Coronavirus Concerns To Close 39 City, Suburb Polling Places

Coronavirus fears shut polling places, inspire a new take on old Chicago election saying: "Vote once, and wash your hands early and often."

Who has been diagnosed with coronavirus in Illinois?

Total number of presumptive cases: 25 (17 in Cook County, 1 in Kane County, 1 in McHenry County, 1 in Lake County)

• Cases 1 and 2: A Chicago couple in their 60s; since recovered
• Cases 3 and 4: A suburban Cook County couple in their 70s; in home isolation
• Case 5: Man in his 20s who traveled to Italy; released from hospital and in home isolation
• Case 6: Chicago woman in her 50s who was on a Grand Princess cruise; hospitalized in isolation in stable condition
• Case 7: A Chicago man in his 70s who is believed to be the first case of community exposure; he is in serious condition
• Cases 8 and 9: Two women — one in her 50s and one in her 70s — who are related to the 6th patient; they are in good condition
• Case 10: A California woman visiting Illinois; she is in good condition
• Case 11: A woman in her 70s who recently returned from an Egyptian cruise; she is in good condition
• Case 12: A case was confirmed in Kane County in a woman in her 60s; in good condition in isolation
• Case 13: A case was confirmed in McHenry County in a man in his late teens; in good condition in isolation
• Cases 14-19
  • Cook County
    • Man in his 70s; in good condition
    • Woman in her 60s; in good condition
    • Woman in her 40s; in good condition
    • Man in his 40s; in good condition
  • Chicago:
    • Man in his 40s; in good condition
    • Man in his 40s; in good condition
• Cases 20-25:
  • Lake County
    • Man in his 50s
  • Chicago and Cook County
    • Man in his 80s
    • Two men in their 70s
    • A woman in her 50s
    • A man in his 40s

Nationwide numbers: 1,100 cases in the U.S. and 30 deaths (24 in Washington state, two in Florida, two in California, one in New Jersey and one in South Dakota.)

Latest global and U.S. confirmed cases and deaths from Johns Hopkins.

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 healthcare provider and tell them that you have or may have COVID-19. This will help the healthcare 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 & animals: You should restrict contact with pets and other animals while you are sick with COVID-19, just like 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

The CDC does not recommend that people who are well wear a face mask to protect themselves from respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19. You should only wear a mask if a health care professional recommends it. A face mask should be used by people who have COVID-19 and are showing symptoms. This is to protect others from the risk of getting infected. The use of face masks also is crucial for health workers and other people who are taking care of someone infected with COVID-19 in close settings (at home or in a health care facility).

Related:

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• Grand Princess Docks In Oakland; Passenger Quarantines Follow
• Expert Offers Common-Sense Reasons Not To Panic Over Coronavirus
• To Avoid Coronavirus, Americans Over 60 Should Hunker Down: CDC