Illinois Coronavirus Patients Released From Home Isolation

CHICAGO — A Chicago couple who became the first two confirmed coronavirus patients in Illinois — along with the first confirmed case in which the respiratory virus spread through person-t0-person contact in the U.S. — have been released from home isolation, the Illinois Department of Public Health said. The patients, both in their 60s, are a woman who came down with the illness after returning to Chicago from Wuhan, China, in January, and her husband.

IDPH said the couple was released from home isolation following U.S. Centers for Disease Control protocol.

"Our two Illinois residents with confirmed coronavirus disease 2019 have recovered from their illnesses and there has been no further spread of the virus from these two cases," said IDPH Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike. "The risk to the general public remains low and we are continuing to use every tool at our disposal to keep our community safe."

The couple was treated at AMITA St. Alexius Medical Center in Hoffman Estates and released to home isolation Feb. 7.

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State health officials said the couple remain the only two confirmed cases in Illinois. A total of 48 "persons under investigation" for the new coronavirus tested negative for the disease, and results are pending on two others.

Earlier this month, Illinois became the first state to begin conducting its own testing for coronavirus, meaning test results are now typically available within 24 hours.

So far, there have been 50,000 confirmed cases of coronavirus worldwide and more than 1,300 deaths, the vast majority in China. So far, one American — who was in Wuhan — has died from the virus.

The Chicago couple can resume normal activity now that they've been released from home isolation, IDPH said. Due to privacy concerns, no further information will be shared about them.

"Based on what is currently known about the virus, and after close consultation with CDC and IDPH, we believe both patients can now safely return to their regular activities, including work, without restrictions," said CDPH Commissioner Dr. Allison Arwady. "They have now had multiple rounds of negative testing for the virus and are clinically well. They do not need to wear masks, and neither does anyone interacting with them," Arwady said, adding both former patients have been cleared.

"We understand people may be concerned because this is a new disease, but it’s difficult to spread what you don’t have. The negative test results mean there is no virus present," said CCDPH Chief Operating Officer Dr. Terry Mason. "You can’t spread what you don’t have. We hope the media and the public will respect the couple’s privacy and be kind to them. They have been through a lot. We thank them, and everyone else involved, for their cooperation throughout the process; including the hospital, healthcare workers, public health employees and contacts who were later ruled out."