State Reports 7,123 New Cases Wednesday Amid Vaccine Delays

ILLINOIS — Illinois on Wednesday reported 7,123 new cases of the coronavirus and 146 more deaths from COVID-19, the respiratory illness caused by the virus, bringing the statewide totals to 870,600 infections and 14,655 deaths. The first health care workers were vaccinated across the state Tuesday in what could be the "beginning of the end of this pandemic," according to Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, but as of Wednesday, Illnois was expecting to recieve only about half of the vaccine doses it had expected, and some hosptials and health departments are still waiting for the first shipments.

The latest deaths include:

• Adams County: 1 male 70s, 1 male 80s
• Christian County: 1 male 60s, 1 male 80s
• Clay County: 1 male 70s, 1 female 100+
• Cook County: 1 female 40s, 1 male 40s, 3 males 50s, 3 females 60s, 3 males 60s, 9 females 70s, 3 males 70s, 8 females 80s, 3 males 80s, 1 female 90s, 2 males 90s, 1 female 100+
• DeKalb County: 1 female 50s, 1 female 80s, 1 male 80s, 1 female 90s
• DuPage County: 1 female 60s, 1 male 60s, 1 female 70s, 1 male 70s, 1 female 80s, 1 male 80s, 1 female 90s
• Effingham County: 1 male 90s
• Fayette County: 1 female 80s
• Fulton County: 1 female 90s
• Grundy County: 1 male 70s, 1 female 80s, 1 male 90s
• Iroquois County: 1 female 90s
• Jackson County: 1 female 60s, 1 male 70s, 1 female 90s
• Jefferson County: 1 male 60s, 1 female 70s, 1 male 80s
• Jersey County: 1 female 80s
• Kane County: 1 male 50s, 1 female 70s, 2 males 70s, 1 female 80s, 1 male 90s
• Kankakee County: 1 female 80s, 1 male 80s, 1 male 90s
• Knox County: 1 female 50s, 1 female 60s
• Lake County: 1 male 60s
• LaSalle County: 1 female 80s
• Livingston County: 1 female 90s
• Macon County: 1 male 70s
• Macoupin County: 1 female 90s
• Madison County: 1 female 60s, 2 females 70s, 1 male 70s, 1 female 80s, 2 males 80s
• Marion County: 2 males 70s
• Massac County: 1 female 60s, 1 female 80s, 1 male 80s
• McDonough County: 1 female 70s
• McHenry County: 1 male 60s, 1 male 90s
• McLean County: 1male 70s
• Menard County: 1 male 90s
• Mercer County: 1 male 70s, 1 female 80s
• Monroe County: 1 male 70s
• Montgomery County: 1 female 70s, 1 male 70s
• Ogle County: 1 male 80s
• Peoria County: 1 male 60s, 1 male 70s
• Perry County: 1 female 60s, 1 male 70s, 1 female 80s, 1 male 80s
• Piatt County: 1 female 70s
• Randolph County: 1 male 90s
• Richland County: 1 female 50s, 1 male 80s
• Rock Island County: 2 females 80s, 1 male 80s
• Sangamon County: 1 male 70s, 1 female 80s, 1 male 80s, 2 males 90s
• St. Clair County: 1 male 60s, 1 female 70s, 1 female 80s
• Stark County: 1 female 80s
• Stephenson County: 1 female 70s, 1 male 90s
• Tazewell County: 1 female 80s
• Vermilion County: 1 female 80s
• Washington County: 2 females 90s
• Will County: 1 female 50s, 2 males 70s, 1 female 80s, 1 female 90s
• Williamson County: 1 male 70s
• Winnebago County: 1 male 50s, 1 female 60s, 2 males 80s

"This is going to be an extended process," Illinois Department of Public Health director Dr. Ngozi Ezike said at a news conference with the governor Tuesday. "Even though this is the last mile, we have almost 13 million people in the state. Herd immunity requires maybe 80 percent. We're talking about 10 million people. Five have done it now. It will take quite a while to get to that 10 million."

Ezike said it's hard to lay out an exact timeline, but "most of 2021 will be spent in this effort."

As of Tuesday night, 4,793 people were hospitalized with COVID-19 across Illinois, including 1,045 in intensive care and 590 on ventilators.

The statewide case positivity rate — a rolling, seven-day average — fell 0.1 percentage points to 8.5 percent.

(The positivity rate is the number the state has reported since the start of the pandemic and is calculated by dividing total cases detected by total tests performed. Another way to calculate the positivity rate is to divide the number of positive tests by total tests performed. By that calculation, the test positivity rate is 10.3 percent.)

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.

See how your region is doing here.

The United States now has more than 16.8 million confirmed coronavirus infections, and at least 306,243 Americans have died from COVID -19, according to Johns Hopkins University. Based on the latest predictions by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 332,000 to 362,000 Americans could be dead from the disease by Jan. 2.

Globally, more than 73.9 million people have been infected and more than 1.6 million 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:

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.

Some Illinois Hospitals Still Waiting For Vaccine Shipments

At a press conference in Peoria Tuesday, Governor J.B. Pritzker said there are “no delays, everything is fine and logistics are working.”

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.

First COVID-19 Vaccine Shipment Arrives In Illinois

About 43,000 doses of the first shipment of the Pfizer coronavirus vaccine arrived Monday at the Illinois Strategic National Stockpile.

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.

Vaccine Shipments Not Delayed, Hospitals 'Excited' : Pritzker

Several Chicago-area hospitals said their shipment of vaccines were delayed, but Pritzker said no delivery was scheduled today.

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.

Illinois Gun Permits Break Records Amid Pandemic, Civil Unrest

Concealed carry license holder numbers in Illinois grew from 90,301 in 2014 to 343,299 in 2020, according to the Illinois State Police.

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: 870,600
• Confirmed Deaths: 14,655
• People tested: 12,055,288
• Recovered: Illinois does not provide exact numbers of recovered cases, but says the recovery rate is 97 percent.

Nationwide:

• Total number of coronavirus cases: 16,873,988
• Deaths: 306,243
• People tested: 220,869,970
• Recovered: latest data unavailable

Global:

• Total number of coronavirus cases: 73,953,702
• Deaths: 1,644,416
• People tested: No data available
• Recovered: 41,846,003

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.