On Friday, the state reported more than 1,500 new cases of COVID-19 for the third consecutive day, after more than 1,600 on Thursday, which was the highest daily total of cases in Illinois this month.
The state’s seven-day state positivity rate has reached 3.6%, after increasing for several days.
The Illinois Department of Public Health announced Saturday that the total number of state-confirmed COVID-19 cases has reached 169,883, including 7,397 deaths in 102 counties.
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Deaths include:
Tighter COVID-19 restrictions went into effect in Chicago this weekend as the city continues to try to stem the spread of coronavirus infections.
Health officials say the latest concern is the spread of cases among young residents, especially in high-risk settings like bars.
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The Chicago Cubs started the season with a win on Friday night against the Milwaukee Brewers and will return to play on Saturday, however, don’t expect massive crowds at Wrigley Field because fans are not allowed in the stadiums and there will be fewer people in the neighborhood. bars too.
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The same deal is developing on the south side on the guaranteed-rate field, as the White Sox host the Minnesota Twins again on Saturday afternoon.
Under the recently tightened COVID-19 restrictions, bars that do not serve food can only serve people outside, while restaurants can continue with modified interior service. Part of the change also includes both types of establishments that limit groups to six people instead of 10.
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With much less energy in the air, the streets around Chicago’s baseball stadiums looked different this year on opening day.
Despite the loss of crowds, some business owners say they still await a baseball hit this summer as fans search for ways to get past America’s hobby.
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The spike in virus infections has also prompted officials to reimpose other restrictions across the city.
Indoor training classes will now be limited to 10 people; and personal services that require removing the covering of the face, such as facials, are now also prohibited.
The city is also asking residential property managers to limit tenant guests to five visitors in a bid to limit large gatherings and stop the spread of the coronavirus.
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Illinois health officials also reported Friday that four counties are considered to be at the warning level for COVID-19. A county reaches a warning level when “two or more COVID-19 risk indicators measure the amount of COVID-19 increase,” IDPH said.
The counties reported at the warning level are Adams, LaSalle, Peoria and Randolph counties, and each saw outbreaks associated with business and risky behavior.
IDPH provided the following information about what led to the labeling of the warning level:
– Adams County: Largest social events, exposure to health care, trips to hot spots, including those of neighboring Missouri and Iowa, places of worship and youth sports.
– LaSalle County: Large family and social gatherings, increased cases among people under 29, younger people who visit bars and attend larger social events, and inconsistencies with masking requirements.
– Peoria County: Increases in cases among people under the age of 29, large gatherings including July 4th parties, and people traveling to Florida, Iowa, Texas, and Wisconsin.
– Randolph County: congregation settings, numerous bars that do not meet distancing and masking, a big party with over 200 people, and between homes.
For more information, visit IDPH’s county metrics page.
Authorities said 1,471 people in Illinois are hospitalized for COVID-19, with 325 patients in the ICU and 115 with ventilators, as of Friday.
Hospital admissions related to COVID-19 remain low at Loyola Medical Center remain low, but there is concern.
“I think this is an extremely crucial time,” said Dr. Kevin Smith, Medical Director. “The question everyone is asking is, well, if we are seeing increases in these cases, do we expect to see hospitalizations increase?”
The governor’s office continues to closely monitor the situation, but at this point, no decisions have been made about imposing new restrictions.
On Thursday, residents of six central and southern Illinois counties filed lawsuits against state-mandated restrictions on social interaction caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Actions taken in Bond, Clay, Clinton, Edgar, Richland and Sangamon Counties seek court orders declaring that there is no public health emergency as defined by Governor JB Pritzker’s Department of Public Health. Springfield, the state capital, is located in Sangamon County.
The plaintiffs in each case seek injunctive relief against Pritzker’s disaster declaration, which restricts public interaction to delay transmission of the virus.
Pritzker’s general counsel said that no one should question basic safeguards during a pandemic.
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An offensive against bars and breweries begins in Chicago on Friday.
All bars and taverns can no longer serve customers indoors. For restaurants serving indoors, a party of six is the maximum allowed.
The new restrictions are also in effect for Chicago gyms, where indoor classes will be limited to 10 people.
There are also concerns about the spread of COVID-19 in Wisconsin and its impact on Chicago and the rest of the state.
Wisconsin may be the next state on Chicago’s quarantine list, posing problems for those who cross the border often.
“I hope, as the data knows, they can change it in Wisconsin and quickly, because I know that Chicagoans like to go to Wisconsin and Wisconsin people like to come to Chicago,” said Dr. Allison Arwady, commissioner of Chicago Department of Public Health.
On Wednesday, Governor JB Pritzker held a press conference and said the Metro East region, which includes counties in southwest Illinois, is seeing an increase in cases. Pritzker said the increase could cause the state to step in to take mitigation measures.
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“I have spoken to local leaders and asked them to suppress the outbreaks where they are occurring so that the state does not have to intervene,” Pritzker said.
The increase is due in part to business and individual behavior, according to state health leaders.
“We are seeing an increase in new cases of COVID-19,” said Dr. Ngozi Ezike, director of the Illinois Department of Public Health. “You have probably seen people crowding into bars, areas where people did not wear masks or kept a 6-foot distance from each other.”
“It can go from 3% positivity to 23% positivity for Arizona in the blink of an eye,” Pritzker said. “We’ve been there. Let’s not let that happen again.”
Wisconsin could also be the next state added to Chicago’s travel quarantine order, with a decision on that next week. Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers said he is considering a mandatory mask order, but is concerned about legal challenges. It is also concerned about the impact of a possible travel ban.
“The message for us is that if Chicago believes that our people should stay home, we better put on some damn masks,” he said.
The city, meanwhile, is still working on logistics if a travel ban includes Wisconsin.
“If the risk is high there, people, you know, would be subject to that quarantine unless they travel for essential purposes,” said Arwady.
Associated Press contributed to this report.
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