Illinois Coronavirus 'Will Get Much Worse Before It Gets Better'

ILLINOIS — A day after announcing Illinois' first coronavirus-related death, state health officials stressed the importance of social distancing — staying home as much as possible — with a grim declaration. "These numbers will get much worse in Illinois before they get better," Gov. J.B. Pritzker said.

Illinois' coronavirus case count jumped from 160 Tuesday to 288 Wednesday.

"Some of you might look at the illnesses and deaths in other countries and think, that could never happen here," Pritzker said. " ... I know how frightening it can be to imagine that it could happen here. Look at the degree of lockdown in countries like Italy. Make no mistake, no place and no person is immune from COVID-19."

Dr. Ngozi Ezike, director of the Illinois Department of Public Health, stressed that those who believe they have COVID-19 but have mild symptoms and are not in danger should stay home.

"If you’re ill and you’re otherwise healthy and you think you probably were, exposed to a COVID case but you’re healthy, you can weather this illness, you don’t need a test," she said. "Assume you have COVID and stay home. Stay home and don’t transmit it to another person."

Doing so will free up hospital bed for critically ill people and reduce the risk of overwhelming hospitals and reduce strain on supplies like ventilators.

"We don't want to see a situation where we have to decide who gets care and who doesn't," Ezike said.

For kids who are out of school, Ezike said scheduling play dates as normal will negate the point of closing school.

"If you’re a kid and you’re home from school don’t undermine the school closures by now creating play dates with a bunch of friends that you would at school," she said. "Don’t call everyone over and socialize. We’ve got to limit our exposure at all levels, every age. The drastic steps we’re taking now is what we have to do. It will decrease the number of people who are infected."

A study from ProPublica laid out nine different scenarios of how quickly the spread of the new coronavirus could lead to hospital regions across the United States reaching or exceeding capacity, based on Harvard Global Health Institute's hospital bed capacity and COVID-19 estimates.

According to IDPH, as of Tuesday, there were 814 empty intensive care unit beds, 597 empty isolation beds and 1,467 ventilators statewide.

Meanwhile, some Illinois colleges and universities have canceled spring commencement ceremonies and extended online learning — as long as until June.

And non-essential retailers like Old Navy, Kohl's, IKEA and others have announced store closings or modified hours and curbside pickup.

Pritzker and Illinois Department of Public Health officials are expected to give another update on coronavirus in Illinois at 2:30 p.m. Thursday.

The state also announced a new website that will offer coronavirus updates and resources for those who need help during the crisis.

Don't miss updates about precautions in the Chicago area as they are announced. Sign up for Patch news alerts and newsletters.

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

Will Coronavirus Push IL Hospitals To Capacity Tipping Point?

"This is not a normal situation. Every day, hospitals are assessing their bed situation, supply situation and staff situation to meet the current need in real time," said Illinois Hospital Association spokesman Danny Chun.

Illinois Coronavirus: IKEA, Gap Among Growing Store Closures

More than 50 retail chains have temporarily shuttered in response to the ongoing new coronavirus outbreak.

Some Colleges Cancel Commencement, Extend E-Learning Through June

A week after many IL schools sent students home or extended spring break, some are taking even more extreme measures due to coronavirus.

National Guard Deployed To Illinois To Assist With Medical Needs

Service members will help with medical needs and logistics.

1st Coronavirus Death In Illinois; 22 Cases At Nursing Home

A Chicago woman in her 60s has died. Her death is not connected to a nursing home.

Coronavirus: Costco, Domino's, Mariano's, Jewel Hiring Amid Panic

Grocery companies focus on hiring to keep up with stocking shelves during the coronavirus outbreak.

Coronavirus: Help For Illinois Workers During Outbreak, Shutdown

What workers need to know if they get sick or temporarily laid off due to the coronavirus outbreak; plus, other help for families.

Pritzker Orders All Illinois Bars, Restaurants Closed

The governor was frustrated earlier in the week with residents who continue to frequent bars during the coronavirus outbreak.

Coronavirus Crisis: Chicago O'Hare Airport Customs Overwhelmed

Governor angry as thousands of people were stuck in close quarters for up to six hours waiting on U.S. Customs at O'Hare this weekend.

State, national coronavirus numbers

Illinois:

• Total number of presumptive coronavirus cases: 288
• 17 counties
• People tested: 2,052
• Deaths: 1

Nationwide

• Total number of coronavirus cases: 7,038
• Deaths: 97
• Jurisdictions reporting cases: 54 (50 states, District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, and US Virgin Islands)

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:

• More Than 100 Monitored After Exposure To Coronavirus Patients
• 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