Illinois health officials on Wednesday said another 42 people have died from coronavirus, a second straight record daily spike bringing the state’s death toll to 141.
There are now 6,980 new confirmed cases of coronavirus, with 986 new cases reported. Ten of those newly confirmed cases are inmates at Stateville Correctional Center, according to Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s office.
The Illinois National Guard is sending 30 service members to help with medical care at the Crest Hill prison, where one inmate has died from the coronavirus.
A majority of the new reported deaths — 34 of 42 — were in Cook County, officials said. The death toll has risen for days, and Wednesday marks the highest number of lives lost in a day due to the spreading virus.
The virus has also spread to 56 of the state’s 102 counties, officials said.
Wednesday also marks the first day of an extended stay-at-home order. Pritzker has issued a second disaster proclamation for the state, and one executive order will extend the stay-at-home order until April 30. Another would ensure that the state’s K-12 schools remain closed during that time.
Pritzker planned to speak about a new relief program for the state’s artists at his daily briefing. Mayor Lori Lightfoot and Pritzker on Wednesday announced the program to provide financial assistance to the state’s creative scene and cultural organizations impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. The Arts for Illinois Relief Fund has already raised about $4 million from the public and private sector.
Also on Wednesday Mayor Lori Lightfoot announced that the first city employee has died from the coronavirus.
“This is a sad day for all of us in city government. It’s with a heavy heart that I’m here to announce that Chicago has lost one of our own city employees to COVID-19,” the mayor said.
