Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Sunday announced more than 1,000 new cases of the coronavirus in Illinois, including 18 more deaths, bringing the statewide total up to 4,596 cases and 65 deaths.
Pritzker said the 1,105 new cases — more than double from Saturday’s tally and higher than any daily total so far — was due to more coronavirus testing being available to Illinois patients.
Pritzker said Illinois runs about 4,000 coronavirus tests each day — up from 2,000 on March 24. He said he expects the state to be able to run about 10,000 tests each day in the next 10 days.
Pritzker said the increased testing allows Illinois “to get a truly holistic understanding of the virus in each of our counties.”
The 18 deaths — bringing the statewide death toll to 65 — also marked the most coronavirus-related fatalities Illinois has seen in a single day.
An infant whose death was announced Saturday tested positive for COVID-19, but the cause and manner of death still hasn’t been determined.
“We are still awaiting further testing,” said Cook County medical examiner’s office spokeswoman Natalia Derevyanny, who added results likely won’t be available until later this week.
The child hasn’t been identified, Derevyanny said, noting the medical examiner’s counsel is waiting for guidance from the Cook County state’s attorney’s office on whether to identify victims of the coronavirus moving forward. The office has received guidance not to release the names based on the Communicable Disease Report Act, which makes certain death reports confidential.
As medical supplies vital for treating COVID-19 patients have fallen in short supply, a nonprofit that typically sends medical equipment internationally hosted a donation drive Sunday outside the United Center seeking masks, protective eyewear, gloves and other gear for health care workers fighting the virus in the United States.
Project C.U.R.E., a non-governmental organization with a warehouse in Woodridge, shifted its focus to the needs of domestic health care workers about two weeks ago, according to Beth Rottman, executive director of Project C.U.R.E.’s Chicago office. Shortly after the drive kicked off Sunday in Chicago, a stream of cars pulled into the parking and drivers handed off boxes and equipment to waiting volunteers.
“In about 20 minutes, we put together almost a palette,” said Rothman, who noted the organization has organized similar drives in other parts of the country, including another event Sunday in Nashville.
“We’ve been flooded with requests locally from first responders, nursing homes, health care providers, hospitals,” she said. “We know a lot of people are doing PPE drives, but if we can collect one box of gloves, that’s one box of gloves that we didn’t have before.”
Before shifting its focus to the United States, Project C.U.R.E. had been sending equipment to other countries that have been hit hard by the deadly virus. In January, as COVID-19 was spreading rapidly throughout China, Project C.U.R.E.’s Woodridge warehouse shipped 120,000 N95 masks to the country’s epicenter in Wuhan.
Those sought-after masks, which filter out 95% of airborne particles, have been at the center of Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s feud with President Donald Trump.
After a string of national TV appearances in which Pritzker criticized the president’s response to the coronavirus pandemic — and a couple of Twitter tirades — the White House on Monday vowed to send Illinois 300 ventilators and 250,000 N95 masks. Donations and deals with private companies have also helped bolster the state’s supply as the number of confirmed coronavirus cases continues to rise.
All five major Chicago sports teams helped promote Sunday’s supply drive in the shadow of the United Center, which went dark after concerts and the NBA and NHL seasons were suspended in the wake of the coronavirus crisis.
Meanwhile, two Cubs employees tested positive for COVID-19 after attending a training session at Wrigley Field earlier this month.
In an email sent to associates Friday, the Cubs informed their staff that two people, who participated in a March 8 training in the team’s premier clubs, have tested positive for the contagious virus. The tests were received last Monday and Tuesday — 15 and 16 days after the workshop.
The incubation period for the virus is currently thought to be 14 days, according to the CDC.
The team has reached out and offered support to both employees, the email said.
The Cubs closed their Chicago facilities after Major League Baseball postponed Opening Day to limit the spread of the coronavirus. As of now, the league and the MLB Players Association are hoping to start a season in early June, though everything remains fluid.
Two additional employees in the Cook County clerk’s office have also tested positive for the coronavirus, bringing the total to eight confirmed positive cases.
In an emailed statement Sunday, the clerk’s office said both employees worked in the traffic division at the Daley Center. Employees who were in close contact with those who tested positive “have been notified to self-quarantine at home and monitor themselves for any COVID-19 symptoms for a period of 14 days,” officials said.
Also on Sunday, Cook County President Toni Preckwinkle announced county forest preserves will remain open — though some have been closed to the public to promote social distancing and other public health guidelines.
“The Forest Preserves has always offered us access to the natural world close to home and a place to be outside,” Preckwinkle said in a statement. “But if we see places where people are not fully following their responsibility, we can and will close those locations.”
Preckwinkle’s warning comes three days after Mayor Lori Lightfoot closed Chicago’s Lakefront, Riverwalk and the 606 trail after throngs of people flocked to the outdoor hotspots when temperatures rose on Wednesday.
So far, the county has closed the Swallow Cliff stairs; all six nature centers, grounds and trails; nature play areas and campgrounds; and all public restrooms. All events and volunteer activities have also been nixed through May 11 in accordance with recommendations from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Officials will report crowding while members of the public are encouraged to report gatherings by calling (708) 771-1000. Signs have been installed to remind visitors of “the importance of social distancing,” and members of the Forest Preserve Police Department have been advised to disperse any crowds, according to a statement.
Contributing: Tina Sfondeles and Jermaine Nolen
