Illinois Coronavirus Update May 27: 114,306 Cases, 5,083 Deaths

ILLINOIS — State health officials on Wednesday announced 1,111 new cases of the coronavirus and 160 additional deaths from COVID-19, the respiratory illness caused by the virus. That marks a significant spike after a decline in recent days that was probably attributable to slower counting over the holiday weekend. The statewide total now stands at 114,306 confirmed infections and 5,083 known deaths.

The most recent deaths include:

• Clinton County: 1 male 60s
• Coles County: 1 female 80s, 1 male 80s, 1 female 100+
• Cook County: 1 female 30s, 2 males 40s, 3 females 50s, 4 males 50s, 8 females 60s, 14 males 60s, 7 females 70s, 20 males 70s, 17 females 80s, 13 males 80s, 8 females 90s, 4 males 90s, 1 unknown 90s
• DuPage County: 1 male 40s, 1 male 50s, 1 female 60s, 1 female 70s, 1 male 80s, 1 female 90s
• Kane County: 1 female 60s, 3 females 70s, 3 males 70s, 1 female 80s, 1 male 90s
• Kankakee County: 1 female 80s
• Lake County: 1 male 40s, 1 male 50s, 1 male 60s, 4 females 70s, 1 male 70s, 2 females 80s, 1 male 80s, 7 females 90s, 2 males 90s
• Madison County: 1 unknown 70s
• McDonough County: 1 male 80s, 1 female 90s
• McHenry County: 1 male 80s
• McLean County: 1 female 50s, 1 female 70s, 1 female 90s
• Randolph County: 1 female 80s
• Rock Island County: 1 female 80s
• Sangamon County: 1 female 80s
• Will County: 1 female 50s, 1 female 60s, 1 male 60s, 1 female 70s, 1 female 80s, 1 male 80s
• Williamson County: 1 male 50s
• Winnebago County: 1 female 50s

One hundred of 102 Illinois counties now report cases of the virus, and statewide, deaths range from people younger than one year old to older than 100, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health.

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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 17,179 coronavirus tests — a slight decline from recent days — for a total of 803,973 since the pandemic began, according to state officials. The state's rolling, seven-day positivity rate, is now 8.6 percent, health officials said. According to the 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.

According to Gov. J.B. Pritzker, all regions of the state are on track to move into the next phase reopening on May 29, though he said he was "terribly dismayed" by Illinoians flocking to crowded pools and beaches across state lines over the holiday weekend.

The United States as a whole has tested more than 15.1 million people for the coronavirus as of Thursday. 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 undertesting.

The country now has more than 1.7 million confirmed coronavirus infections, according to Johns Hopkins University, and at least 100,467 Americans have died from COVID-19. Globally, more than 5.7 million people have been infected and 356,279 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:

Pritzker 'Terribly Dismayed' By Memorial Day Crowds In WI, IN

Thousands of Illinoisans headed to Wisconsin and Indiana over Memorial Day weekend to celebrate in states with looser restrictions.

Poopy's Owner Holds Memorial Day Bash Despite Stay-At-Home Order

A record-setting crowd attended the popular biker bar's Memorial Day festivities in defiance of the governor's coronavirus executive orders.

Restore Illinois Phase 3 Coronavirus Business Guidelines Released

The Pritzker administration Sunday released industry-specific guidelines for 10 different categories of business or activities.

What Can Open May 29 In Illinois?

The entire state is on track to move into phase 3 of the Restore Illinois plan allowing coronavirus restrictions to loosen.

Will Pools Open This Summer In Illinois?

Memorial Day is the unofficial start of summer and the day when pools typically reopen across Illinois — but coronavirus is changing that.

Aurora Photographer Finds Beauty Amid Coronavirus Lockdown

The project features photos and short stories about people living in lockdown, reminiscent of the hugely popular Humans of New York blog.

IL Legislators Pass Bill Allowing Cocktail Delivery

The measure passed in the House and Senate Saturday night. If signed by Gov. J.B. Pritzker, the bill would take effect immediately.

Outdoor Seating At Syl's, McWhethy's, McBride's, Plus These 12

Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker will be loosening the restrictions he imposed on bars and restaurants back on March 16.

Job Openings In IL: CDC Hiring Contact Tracers To Fight Pandemic

The CDC is looking for contact tracers, who can make up to $65,000 a year and just need a bachelor's degree and a positive attitude.

Nursing Home Deaths: Meadowbrook Has Highest Number In Illinois

As of Saturday, May 23, Bolingbrook's Meadowbrook Manor reports 38 deaths, surpassing all long-term care facilities in the state.

3 Deaths, 25 Cases Of Coronavirus At Clarendale Of Mokena: IDPH

The May 23 data marks an increase of four cases when compared with the May 15 data from IDPH.

Elmhurst Hospital Sees First Big Drop In Virus Cases

One more coronavirus death reported at the hospital in last week.

Virtual Head Shave Raises $22K For Cancer

Students from Northbrook's Shabonee School shave their heads to assist St. Baldrick's during the coronavirus pandemic.

Social-Distancing Theater Promotes Community For Kids

The Sarah Hall Theatre Company in Deerfield keeps its young performers engaged with virtual shows and training in the time of coronavirus.

Pride Parade Switches Gears With Drive

The second annual Buffalo Grove Pride Parade was scrapped due to the coronavirus, but organizers have a new celebration set for June.

No Permit Fees For Restaurants Requiring Outdoor Seating: Village

As eateries prepare to reopen, the village will waive up to $1,000 permit and application fees for those needing outdoor seating.

Hecky Powell, Restaurateur And Civic Leader, Dies Of COVID-19

The longtime owner of Hecky's Barbecue in Evanston died early Friday after testing positive for the coronavirus, city officials said.

Coronavirus by the numbers:

Illinois:

• Total number of coronavirus cases: 114,306
• Deaths: 5,083
• People tested: 803,973
• Recovered: No data available

Nationwide:

• Total number of coronavirus cases: 1,700,350
• Deaths: 100,467
• People tested: 15,192,481
• Recovered: 391,508

Global:

• Total number of coronavirus cases: 5,722,859
• Deaths: 356,279
• People tested: No data available
• Recovered: 2,374,387

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.