The Illinois Department of Public Health announced that the state’s total confirmed cases of COVID-19 have reached 176,896, including 7,478 deaths.
The seven-day preliminary positivity rate for July 23-July 29 is 3.8%, as the state conducted 41,134 tests in the last 24 hours.
As of Wednesday night, authorities said 1,452 people were hospitalized with COVID-19, with 353 patients in the ICU and 149 patients with respirators.
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources announced Thursday that starting Saturday, the beach at Adeline Jay Geo-Karis Illinois Beach State Park in Zion will be closed on Saturdays and Sundays “to encourage social estrangement and prevent further spread of COVID- 19 “.
The beach, which includes the North Unit, the South Unit and North Point Beach, will remain closed on Saturdays and Sundays until further notice, the IDNR said.
“As temperatures increased, so did the crowds in the beach area of Illinois Beach State Park,” said Von Bandy, director of the IDNR’s Office of Land Management. “In the past few weeks, our staff has witnessed several cases of beach overcrowding. Understanding the importance of social distancing to prevent further spread of COVID-19, the Department is taking this proactive step to protect health and the staff and visitor safety. “
Although the beach area of the state park will be closed on weekends, it will remain open during the week, as long as social distancing and public health standards can be achieved. The remaining areas of the park, including the lodge and trails, will remain open.
Governor JB Pritzker announced new guidelines on youth sports in Illinois due to the COVID-19 pandemic on Wednesday.
According to the governor, depending on contact and proximity, certain sports, such as tennis and baseball, can advance with more limited restrictions than contact sports such as wrestling and soccer.
There are three levels of risk: lower, medium and high, and four levels of game level. Levels range from contactless practice at level one to large-scale tournaments at level four.
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At level one, only contactless practice and training are allowed. At level two, team practice games are allowed with parental consent for minors. At the third level, play is allowed within the conference within the EMS region or within the league, and there may be state or league championship games for low-risk sports. At level four, tournaments and games can be played outside the conference and out-of-state games and championships are also allowed.
Following the governor’s announcement, the IHSA met on Wednesday to decide what to do for fall sports.
The board announced it would not cancel any sports, but has instead moved higher-risk sports such as soccer, men’s soccer, and women’s volleyball from its traditional fall season to spring. Baseball, softball, track and field, women’s soccer, men’s volleyball, lacrosse, and men’s tennis, which generally have spring seasons, will now be played in the summer.
All stations have also been truncated. The IHSA for boys ‘and girls’ golf, girls ‘tennis, cross-country skiing, and girls’ swimming and diving will continue to be a fall sport, the board said, and will begin on August 10 as scheduled.
The fall season will now run from August 10 to October 24. The winter season will run from November 16 to February 13. The spring season will run from February 15 to May. The summer season will run from May 3 to June 3.
“The Board believes this plan offers the most realistic opportunity for student athletes to participate in interscholastic sports while balancing the challenges of a new academic environment and the IDPH Guidelines,” said Erie High School principal and president of the IHSA Board Tim McConnell. “We are an education-based athletic association, and school has to come first. By delaying most team sports in the fall, it will allow our schools and students the opportunity to acclimatize to what will be, for many, a new educational experience. We will do our best to try to give every student-athlete a one-season opportunity this school year. “
“Whatever opportunity they give us, we will take it,” said Evan Roper, a senior and footballer at Barrington High School.
Roper plans to play soccer in college next year, but he’s also one of the best fighters in the state. His fighting season is also in doubt.
“As long as we have the opportunity to play, I don’t care where we are placed, as long as we have the opportunity,” said Barrington football coach Joe Sánchez.
“At the end of the day, that’s all you can ask for,” said Morgan Park High School soccer head coach Chris James. “I’m happy that they play if it’s 20 degrees or if it’s 80 degrees.”
Barrington’s women’s volleyball team is also organizing the camp in the gym. Her season has also been delayed until spring.
“We can’t control it. We will just try to make the most of what they give us,” said coach Michelle Jakubowski.
In a conference call with journalists on Wednesday afternoon, the IHSA says this is a starting point. They anticipate changes to come, all dependent on COVID19 case numbers and a possible vaccine.
Beginning August 15, low-risk sports, such as baseball, tennis, and golf, can be played at levels one, two, and three, with competitions allowed under safety protocols.
Medium-risk sports, such as basketball and soccer and volleyball, can be played at levels one and two without contact practice and team fighting.
Higher-risk sports, such as soccer, hockey, and lacrosse, can be played at level one without contact, training, and conditioning practices.
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“I know our hearts break when we hear the word ‘restrictions’, especially when it comes to our children’s love of their sports. If this year is your first time on the court or it’s your senior season, this is not the news for nobody wants to listen, “said Governor Pritzker. “But with increasing rates of virus spread, with increasing positivity rates across Illinois and the United States, this is a situation where the most difficult option is also the safest. Therefore, Today, my administration is releasing a new guide that restricts youth and adult recreation in Illinois. We have worked in consultation with the governing bodies of many of these organized sports programs, and collectively we hope that when metrics and risks improve considerable, we can restart these sports. “
Illinois has listed the complete list of guidelines on the state’s coronavirus website.
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