IL Sets Weekly Record For Nursing Home Deaths; 4,699 New Cases

ILLINOIS — Illinois on Monday reported 4,699 new cases of the coronavirus and 98 more deaths from COVID-19, the respiratory illness caused by the virus, bringing the statewide totals to 905,069 infections and 15,299 deaths. That incudes 605 nursing home residents who have died in the past week — the most weekly nurisng home deaths since the start of the pandemic.

The vaccine began rolling out statewide last week, going first to front-line health care workers across the state. But vaccinations aren't scheduled to begin in nursing homes until Dec. 28, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health.

Until all nursing home residents can be vaccinated, they will remain among the most vulnerable Illinoisans when it comes to the virus. Since March, nursing homes have seen 59,970 cases of the virus — about 6.6 percent of total infections — and 7,559 COVID-19 deaths —about 49.4 percent of total deaths.

The latest deaths in Illinois include:

• Bureau County: 1 male 90s
• Champaign County: 1 female 80s
• Cook County: 1 male 30s, 2 males 40s, 2 females 50s, 3 males 50s, 5 females 60s, 7 males 60s, 8 females 70s, 8 males 70s, 13 females 80s, 13 males 80s, 5 females 90s, 2 males 90s, 1 female over 100
• DuPage County: 1 male 70s, 2 males 90s
• Effingham County: 1 male 90s
• Hamilton County: 1 male 90s
• Kane County: 1 male 50s, 1 male 90s
• Lake County: 1 male 60s, 2 female 90s
• LaSalle County: 1 female 70s
• Madison County: 2 males 70s, 2 males 80s, 1 female 90s
• Morgan County: 1 male 80s
• Rock Island County: 1 male 50s, 2 females 80s
• Stephenson County: 1 female 90s
• Tazewell County: 1 female 80s
• Washington County: 1 male 80s
• Will County: 2 males 80s, 1 male 90s

As of Sunday night, 4,460 people were hospitalized with COVID-19 across Illinois, including 981 in intensive care and 546 on ventilators.

The statewide case positivity rate — a rolling, seven-day average — fell 0.5 percentage points from Friday to 7.5 percent. The test positivity rate fell 0.4 percentage points to 9.3 percent.

The United States now has more than 17.8 million confirmed coronavirus infections, and at least 318,300 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 77.1 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:

Coronavirus Vaccine Ready For Public By March, Walgreens Predicts

The Deerfield-based company has begun administering Pfizer's coronavirus vaccine to 3 million residents in long-term care facilities.

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: 905,069
• Confirmed Deaths: 15,299
• People tested: 12,520,979
• Recovered: Illinois does not provide exact numbers of recovered cases, but says the recovery rate is 97 percent.

Nationwide:

• Total number of coronavirus cases: 17,878,979
• Deaths: 318,300
• People tested: 230,118,657
• Recovered: latest data unavailable

Global:

• Total number of coronavirus cases: 77,134,668
• Deaths: 1,698,497
• People tested: No data available
• Recovered: 43,479,334

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.