Illinois Coronavirus Update June 2: 122,848 Cases, 5,525 Deaths

ILLINOIS — State health officials on Tuesday announced 1,614 new cases of the coronavirus and 113 additional deaths from COVID-19, the respiratory illness caused by the virus. That's almost twice as many new cases as reported on Monday and almost five times as many new deaths. The stateside total now stands at 122,848 confirmed infections and 5,525 known deaths.

The most recent deaths include:

• Cook County: 3 males 40s, 1 unknown 40s, 1 female 50s, 1 male 50s, 2 females 60s, 10 males 60s, 6 females 70s, 8 males 70s, 16 females 80s, 5 males 80s, 7 females 90s, 5 males 90s, 2 females 100+
• DeKalb County: 1 female 90s
• DuPage County: 1 female 60s, 1 male 60s, 1 male 80s, 4 males 90s
• Hancock County: 1 female 60s
• Kane County: 1 male 40s, 1 male 60s, 2 females 70s, 1 male 70s, 2 females 80s, 1 male 90s
• Kankakee County: 2 males 70s
• Lake County: 1 female 40s, 2 males 40s, 2 females 60s, 2 females 70s, 2 males 70s, 2 females 80s, 1 male 80s, 2 females 90s, 1 male 90s
• LaSalle County: 1 male 90s
• McDonough County: 1 male 80s, 1 female 90s
• McHenry County: 1 male 90s
• St. Clair County: 1 female 60s, 1 female 70s, 1 male 80s, 1 female 90s
• Will County: 1 male 40s, 1 female 70s, 1 male 80s
• Winnebago County: 1 female 90s

Except for Chicago, the state moved into phase 3 of its reopening plan Friday after state officials said that Illinois was the only state in the nation to meet federal guidelines to begin reopening nonessential businesses. Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot said that the city will reopen Wednesday, saying she made the decision after talking with business owners and praying.

But widespread protests and street violence that has swept the city in recent days complicates the matter. METRA has suspended rail service for a second day, overnight curfews remain in place, and many business are boarded up in anticipation of more looting. The protests, most of which have been nonviolent, are in response to the killing of an African American man in Minneapolis last week. George Floyd, 46, died after a police officer placed a knee on his neck, apparently suffocating him even as Floyd pleaded that he couldn't breathe, according to video of the incident.

"I'm worried. I'm absolutely worried about a potential outbreak following what we saw yesterday," Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot said Sunday, referring to the protests. Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker urged those who marched to isolate themselves to avoid spreading the virus.

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Experts say testing, contact tracing and health care capacity are keys to safely lifting lockdowns. Over the past 24 hours, labs in Illinois have processed 16,431 coronavirus tests, for a total of 934,704 since the pandemic began. The state's rolling, seven-day positivity rate, is now 7 percent, health officials said. 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.

The number of daily tests has decreased this week after some testing sites closed due to the unrest. The positivity rate has also ticked back up after hitting a low of 6 percent Tuesday.

The United States as a whole has tested more than 17.3 million people for the coronavirus as of Tuesday morning. After early testing failures that left officials unable to track the spread of the disease, that number is improving, but experts say many states are still under testing.

The country now has more than 1.8 million confirmed coronavirus infections, according to Johns Hopkins University, and at least 105,644 Americans have died from COVID-19. Globally, more than 6.3 million people have been infected and 377,460 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:

Mayor Lori Lightfoot Says Chicago 'Will Reopen Tomorrow'

Mayor Lori Lightfoot says after talking to local business owners and "prayer," Chicago will go ahead with cautions reopening Wednesday.

Senior Citizens In Subsidized Housing Have Been Dying Alone At Home, Unnoticed Because Of Coronavirus Distancing

At least seven seniors were found dead in their apartments, often discovered by janitors or pest control workers doing their rounds.

Community-Based Coronavirus Testing Sites Shut Down In Illinois

IDPH officials announced site closures after public transportation and businesses in IL were shut down this weekend due to protest events.

States Hit Hardest By Coronavirus Unemployment: How IL Ranks

More than 2 million people applied for U.S. unemployment benefits in recent weeks.

Kendall Co. Courts Resume Full Operation Monday

Kendall County Chief Judge Robert Pilmer said in a release Friday that courts are attempting to allow for appropriate social distancing.

Overdose Deaths Have Skyrocketed In Chicago, And The Coronavirus Pandemic May Be Making It Worse

Opioid-related deaths in Cook County have doubled since this time last year, and similar increases are happening across the country.

IL Is Only State To Meet Fed Guidelines For Reopening

And Friday is the day when all regions are on track to enter Phase 3. Retail stores, outdoor seating at restaurants and salons will reopen.

'We Fear For Our Lives' Due To Coronavirus: Diversi-Pak Workers

Employees at Diversi-Pak told Patch there have been 16 coronavirus cases at the West Chicago factory.

Coronavirus-Related Deaths In Meadowbrook Continue To Rise

The Bolingbrook nursing home now has 40 deaths and 188 outbreaks.

IL Reopening: Businesses Ready, Many Customers Anxious

A Patch survey showed many residents were nervous about dining out, while business owners said they were ready to reopen.

Citizenship Question Cut From Coronavirus Testing Questionnaire

State officials said the citizenship question — removed once a congressman began asking about it — was required for federal reimbursement.

These Illinois Restaurants, Bars, Malls Are Reopening: List

Restaurant bars and patios began reopening Friday across Illinois.

Chicago Virtual High School Graduation With Oprah Set For June 14

Oprah, "The Voice" star Katie Kadan are set to join virtual Chicago high school graduation ceremonies streaming online on June 14 at 1 p.m.

Zoom For Pups! Virtual Training Paw Parents Can Do At Home

Virtual Training Classes are available in group and one-on-one sessions.

Diocese Of Joliet Schools Could Reopen In Fall

The Diocese of Joliet will hold a meeting next week to discuss reopening schools in the fall while ensuring safety.

Coronavirus by the numbers:

Illinois:

• Total number of coronavirus cases: 122,848
• Deaths: 5,525
• People tested: 934,704
• Recovered: No data available

Nationwide:

• Total number of coronavirus cases: 1,820,523
• Deaths: 105,644
• People tested: 17,340,682
• Recovered: 458,231

Global:

• Total number of coronavirus cases: 6,325,303
• Deaths: 377,460
• People tested: No data available
• Recovered: 2,727,679

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.