Illinois Coronavirus Update July 14: 155,506 Cases, 7,218 Deaths

ILLINOIS — State health officials on Tuesday announced 707 new cases of the coronavirus and 25 additional deaths from COVID-19, the respiratory illness caused by the virus. The statewide total now stands at 155,506 confirmed infections and 7,218 deaths, not counting another 1,132 probable cases and 201 probable deaths.

The latest deaths include:

• Cass County: 1 female 90s
• Cook County: 2 males 20s, 1 male 40s, 1 female 50s, 1 male 50s, 4 males 60s, 1 male 70s, 1 female 80s, 1 male 80s
• DeKalb County: 1 female 80s, 1 female 90s
• DuPage County: 1 male 40s, 1 female 70s, 1 male 70s, 1 female 80s
• Kane County: 1 female 60s, 1 male 60s
• Lake County: 1 female 70s
• Madison County: 1 male 80s
• McHenry County: 1 female 50s
• St. Clair County: 1 male 60s

Every county in Illinois has now reported cases, state officials said.

In the past 24 hours, labs in Illinois have processed 28,446 coronavirus tests, for a total of more than 2 million since the pandemic began. The state's rolling, seven-day positivity rate is about 3 percent, down from more than 16 percent earlier this year, but up 0.6 percent from last week.

According to Johns Hopkins University, a positivity rate of less than 12 percent is a good measure of whether enough tests are being conducted in a given state.

As of Tuesday, the United States as a whole had tested more than 41 million people for the coronavirus. The country now has more than 3.3 million confirmed coronavirus infections, according to Johns Hopkins University, and at least 136,117 Americans have died from COVID-19.

The country set multiple single-day records for new cases last week, and the CDC's latest prediction estimates between 140,000 and 160,000 deaths nationwide by August 1.

Globally, more than 13.1 million people have been infected and 574,793 are known to have died.

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 like "UNEMPLOYMENT," "FOOD," or "SHELTER," to the same number to receive additional information about those topics.

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

2 Restaurants Shut Down As Employees Test Positive For COVID-19

Sovereign and Werk Force Brewing in Plainfield have temporarily closed until all their employees have been tested for the coronavirus.

Lawyer Sues IHSA On Behalf Of His Kids, Other Student-Athletes

The Litchfield-based attorney filed the lawsuit Monday alleging the IHSA does not have authority to require student-athletes to wear masks.

Sold Out: Remdesivir Used To Treat COVID-19 Not Widely Available In IL

Some hospitals have expressed interest in donating their surplus medication to hospitals in states where infection rates are soaring. But it's not that simple.

Chicago Marathon Canceled For Only 2nd Time Ever

Organizers cite public health concerns over the coronavirus pandemic for the decision.

Unemployment: 15,175 Layoffs, Furloughs In IL In June

Hotels, casinos and other companies were among those laying off employees permanently or furloughing them.

38% Will Not Eat Out, 70% Uncomfortable With Indoor Entertainment

Romeoville readers who responded to a recent poll expressed concerns over the state reopening too soon as cases increase in other states.

Hurricane Harbor To Reopen Soon; Six Flags Still Closed

The waterpark in Gurnee is slated to open to members on July 20 and to the general public on July 27.

BMW Championship To Be Held Without Fans This Year

The August tournament featuring the top 70 golfers on the PGA Tour will go on without fans at the Olympia Fields Country Club.

Wahlburgers' St. Charles Opening Pushed Back To End Of July

The restaurant, owned by Donnie Wahlberg and his brothers, has scrapped several grand openings due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Most U.S. States See Coronavirus Spikes; Fauci Sidelined

Testing czar breaks with Trump on masks, reopening schools and lockdowns; New York reaches milestone with zero deaths; big spikes elsewhere.

D124 Sets Date For In-Person Schooling Amid Pandemic

Evergreen Park ESD 124 is working on plan to safely reopen schools on Aug. 24.

Coronavirus PPP Loans In Joliet: Where The Money Went

Here is a list of businesses – and even schools – in Joliet that got the loans.

District 47's 3 Options For Reopening Schools

The District 47 school board is expected to vote on July 20 on its reopening plan.

La Grange Sees Nearly 10% More Virus Cases

No new coronavirus deaths reported in La Grange, statistics show.

Coronavirus by the numbers:

Illinois:

• Total number of coronavirus cases: 155,506
• Deaths: 7,218
• People tested: 2,041,440
• Recovered: Illinois does not provide exact numbers of recovered cases, but says the recovery rate is 94 percent.

Nationwide:

• Total number of coronavirus cases: 3,397,069
• Deaths: 136,117
• People tested: 41,004,275
• Recovered: 1,031,939

Global:

• Total number of coronavirus cases: 13,177,855
• Deaths: 574,793
• People tested: No data available
• Recovered: 7,303,490

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.