Illinois Coronavirus Update July 16: 157,950 Cases, 7,251 Deaths

ILLINOIS — State health officials on Thursday announced 1,257 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 157,950 confirmed infections and 7,251 deaths, not counting another 1,132 probable cases and 201 probable deaths.

The latest deaths include:

• Cook County – 1 male 30s, 1 male 50s, 1 female 60s, 2 females 70s, 1 female 80s, 1 female 90s
• Cumberland County – 1 female 80s
• Effingham County – 1 female 80s
• Kane County – 1 female 60s, 1 male 80s
• Lake County – 1 female 80s, 1 female 90s, 1 male 90s
• McHenry County – 1 female 70s
• Ogle County – 1 male 60s
• St. Clair County – 1 female 90s, 1 male 90s
• Union County – 1 female 80s, 1 female 90s
• Whiteside County – 1 male 80s
• Will County – 1 female 70s, 1 male 80s
• Winnebago County – 1 male 80s, 1 female 90s

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

In the past 24 hours, labs in Illinois have processed 43,006 coronavirus tests, for a total of more than 2.1 million since the pandemic began. The state's rolling, seven-day positivity rate is about 3.1 percent, down from more than 16 percent earlier this year, but up 0.7 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 Thursday, the United States as a whole had tested more than 42.5 million people for the coronavirus. The country now has more than 3.4 million confirmed coronavirus infections, according to Johns Hopkins University, and at least 137,420 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 13.5 million people have been infected and 584,990 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:

Illinois Redraws Coronavirus Regions, Going From 4 to 11 Regions

Chicago is now in its own region, a move that will likely be welcomed by many suburban Cook County mayors.

Will Bars, Restaurants Close Again? Pritzker 'Will Not Hesitate'

Indoor dining and drinking resumed June 26 in Illinois — but increasing coronavirus cases could cause the state to move backwards.

Chicago Coronavirus Spike Puts City On Cusp Of Reopening Rollback

Mayor Lori Lightfoot warns young people driving spike in coronavirus cases has city on brink of shutting down businesses, again.

Students To Return To Evanston Township High School In 4 Groups

ETHS administrators plan to release a draft plan Friday for a hybrid of remote and in-person instruction amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Glenview Pool Closes Again As Another Lifeguard Has Coronavirus

This is the third lifeguard at the Flick Outdoor Aquatic Center to have been diagnosed with COVID-19 in less than a week.

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.

New Trier COVID-19 Reopening Plan Approved By School Board

The board unanimously approved new pandemic-related policies and procedures, a revised calendar and a tentative budget.

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.

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.

Coronavirus by the numbers:

Illinois:

• Total number of coronavirus cases: 157,950
• Deaths: 7,251
• People tested: 2,122,607
• Recovered: Illinois does not provide exact numbers of recovered cases, but says the recovery rate is 94 percent.

Nationwide:

• Total number of coronavirus cases: 3,499,771
• Deaths: 137,420
• People tested: 42,521,027
• Recovered: 1,075,882

Global:

• Total number of coronavirus cases: 13,583,763
• Deaths: 584,990
• People tested: No data available
• Recovered: 7,607,033

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.