Health & Fitness

Illinois Coronavirus Update April 28: 48,102 Cases; 2,125 Deaths

As of Tuesday afternoon, more than 1 million Americans have now caught the new coronavirus. The death toll nationwide stands at 57,608.

ILLINOIS — State health officials announced 2,219 new cases of the coronavirus on Tuesday and 144 more deaths — the highest of the pandemic so far — bringing the total to 48,102 people with confirmed cases of the virus and 2,125 people who have died from it in Illinois.

At the same time, the country passed 1 million confirmed infections, according to Johns Hopkins University. As of Tuesday afternoon, more than 57,608 Americans had died from COVID-19, the the infectious respiratory disease caused by the virus.

In recent days, Illinois has expanded its testing capacity, after first meeting its 10,000-test-a-day goal last Friday. State health officials said laboratories have processes 14,561 tests in the past 24 hours, bringing the total to 242,189 people who have been tested for the virus statewide. Health experts say federal and state governments' failure to test enough people is the biggest barrier to reopening the country.

Find out what's happening in Across Illinoisfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

The latest deaths in Illinois include:

  • Cook County: 1 female 20s, 1 male 20s, 2 males 30s, 3 males 40s, 2 females 50s, 6 males 50s, 10 females 60s, 17 males 60s, 11 females 70s, 17 males 70s, 17 females 80s, 15 males 80s, 5 females 90s, 6 males 90s
  • DuPage County: 1 male 60s, 1 female 70s, 1 male 70s, 1 female 80s, 1 male 80s, 1 female 90s
  • Jefferson County: 1 female 90s
  • Kane County: 1 female 80s, 1 female 90s
  • Kankakee County: 1 male 50s
  • Lake County: 1 male 40s, 2 females 70s, 2 males 70s, 1 male 80s
  • Madison County: 1 female 50s
  • McHenry County: 2 females 70s
  • Ogle County: 1 male 70s- Rock Island County: 1 female 90s
  • St. Clair County: 1 female 90s
  • Will County: 1 female teens, 1 male 50s, 1 female 60s, 2 males 70s, 2 males 80s, 1 female 90s
  • Winnebago County: 1 female 80s.

Ninety-six of 102 Illinois counties have reported coronavirus cases.

Find out what's happening in Across Illinoisfor free with the latest updates from Patch.


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Meanwhile, Trump called out Illinois as "poorly run" in a tweet Monday morning and seemed to reject calls for federal money for "Democrat run and managed" states.

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker said last week that Illinois may face a $7.4 billion budget deficit due to the "massive economic disruption" caused by the pandemic.

"We will need to make extraordinarily difficult decisions on top of the difficult decisions we've already made, but together with the state legislature we will make them," the governor added.

Pritzker said last week that he will work in "close coordination" with six other Midwestern governors, including Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan, Tony Evers of Wisconsin, Mike DeWine of Ohio, Tim Waltz of Minnesota, Eric Holcomb of Indiana and Andy Beshear of Kentucky, "to reopen our economies in a way that prioritizes our workers' health."

In an interview the Washington Post, Pritzker noted that Illinois was the second state after California to issue a stay-at-home order.

"The result is we've had many fewer deaths than anticipated, our hospitalization rate is somewhat stable, climbing a little bit but somewhat stabilizing — and, of course, our ventilator needs have gone down," Pritzker said. "Real progress has been made, and while we never know the exact impacts of the efforts all of you have made to protect your communities, all of the projections indicate that you have saved thousands of lives."

More than 5.6 million Americans have been tested for the coronavirus since the outbreak began, while more than 114,709 people in the U.S. have recovered. Currently, about 98,300 people are hospitalized in the United States. That number has been slowly declining.

Globally, more than 3 million people have been infected and at least 215,461 have died, according to Johns Hopkins University. More than 920,044 people worldwide have recovered from the coronavirus.


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

Coronavirus: IL Now Ranks 4th For Cases In The U.S.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker attributed Illinois' ranking to the increase in testing.

Illinois Good News: 5 Generations Celebrate Matriarch, 91

Shaving heads on Facebook Live for St. Baldrick's fundraiser, virtual career day is a hit and suburban police offer drive-by birthdays.

$5 Million Earmarked For Small Business In Poor Neighborhoods

City's Microbusiness Recovery Grand Program aims to help small businesses in poor neighborhoods that don't qualify for federal assistance.

Judge Blocks Pritzker From Enforcing Coronavirus Executive Order

A judge issued a restraining order Monday forbidding the governor from enforcing his stay-at-home order on a lawmaker who challenged it.

Coronavirus Closing Processing Plants Could Force Meat Shortages

As more meat processing plants close because of the coronavirus, concerns grow about problems with the nation's food supply.

Does 'All-In Illinois' Slogan Apply To Billionaire Gov's Family?

KONKOL COLUMN: Gov. J.B. Pritzker's 'All In Illinois' coronavirus slogan doesn't apply to the state's first lady living at Florida estate.

WWII Vet's 101st Birthday Celebrated With Car Parade

Since the coronavirus pandemic prevented an in-person celebration, a line of cars rode through Tinley Park to salute Mario Monocchio.

55 Coronavirus Cases, 1 Death At Geneva Nursing Home: IDPH

The Bria of Geneva facility has had the largest coronavirus outbreak of any long-term-care facility in Kane County, IDPH data shows.

School Of Rock In Oak Park Pivots To Teaching Via Zoom

As CBS 2's Tim McNicholas reported Tuesday morning, it is all to keep their instructors employed and their students learning.

Man Recovered From Coronavirus, But Nursing Facility Won't Let Him Back

As CBS 2's Charlie De Mar reported, the facility flat out said no – all because of something the hospital says it will not do.

IL Patch Coronavirus Survey: Trump In Disfavor, Job Losses Pinch

Gov. J.B. Pritzker fares well in Patch's informal survey on his performance in the crisis, but not so President Trump.

Mayor Condems 'Foolish' House Party Amid Coronavirus Crisis

Mayor Lightfoot condemns notorious house party that went viral on Facebook Live as "foolish and reckless" amid coronavirus pandemic.

Mayor Says It's Possible Sox, Cubs Resume Home Games Without Fans

Mayor Lori Lightfoot said it's possible White Sox and Cubs could play homes games in empty stadiums this summer.

Taste Of Joliet Canceled For June Amid Coronavirus

This summer's popular festival was supposed to feature Bret Michaels of Poison and Vince Neil of Motley Crue as the main music acts.

Coronavirus: 35 Deaths So Far At Elmhurst Hospital

The number of virus cases at the hospital is slightly down, continuing a two-week trend.

Don't Ingest, Inject Or Snort Disinfectants: IL Health Officials

Dr. Ngozi Ezike said there has been an increase in calls to the Illinois Poison Center in the past two days.


Coronavirus by the numbers:

Illinois:

  • Total number of coronavirus cases: 48,102
  • Deaths: 2,125
  • People tested: 242,189
  • Currently hospitalized: No data available
  • Recovered: No data available

Nationwide:

  • Total number of coronavirus cases: 1,004,908
  • Deaths: 57,608
  • People tested: 5,628,374
  • Currently hospitalized: 98,312
  • Recovered: 114,709

Global:

  • Total number of coronavirus cases: 3,094,829
  • Deaths: 215,461
  • People tested: No data available
  • Currently hospitalized: No data available
  • Recovered: 920,044

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 1-800-889-3931 or email dph.sick@illinois.gov.

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