CHICAGO INFANT AMONG 13 NEW VIRUS DEATHS AS STATE HITS 3,491 CASES
13 new coronavirus deaths bring state’s total to 47 with almost 3,500 recorded infections
An infant from Chicago and a state employee were among Illinois’ 13 latest coronavirus deaths reported Saturday as the number of confirmed cases statewide jumped again to 3,491.
That marks the most deaths reported in a single day since the COVID-19 outbreak was first reported in late January. The deaths bring the statewide coronavirus toll up to 47.
“Upon hearing it, I admit I was shaken, and it’s appropriate for us to grieve today,” Gov. J.B. Pritzker said. “We should grieve with our family of state employees, with the many people we’ve already lost to this virus, young and old.”
It’s now been a week since Pritzker’s stay-at-home order went into effect. Since then, the number of coronavirus cases in Illinois has more than quadrupled, with 465 new cases reported Saturday.
“There has never before been a death associated with COVID-19 in an infant,” Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike said. “A full investigation is underway to determine the cause of death.
“I want everyone to take COVID-19 seriously. If you haven’t been paying attention, maybe this is your wake-up call,” Ezike said.
The virus typically affects older people most adversely, with more than 85% of deaths in the state occurring among people 60 or older, but it’s affected all ages in Illinois.
Besides the Chicago infant, the deaths reported Saturday included two men in their 60s, two men and a woman in their 70s, and a man and woman in their 80s, all from Cook County.
Also among the dead were a McHenry County man in his 50s, two Kane County men in their 70s,
a Lake County woman in her 90s and a Will County woman in her 90s.
The virus has now been confirmed in 43 of Illinois’ 102 counties. As of Saturday afternoon, 25,429 people had been tested.
Pritzker also said the state has “put in every waiver that we can with the federal government” to expand Medicaid coverage in Illinois during the coronavirus pandemic.
That includes two waivers requesting increased Medicaid coverage flexibilities so that everyone — insured or uninsured — can receive Medicaid-covered treatment for the coronavirus, as well as other requests aimed at simplifying the enrollment process and offering more services during the pandemic.
The governor’s sweeping stayat-home order is likely to continue “deep into April,” Mayor Lori Lightfoot said Friday morning. Pritzker later said that decision is evaluated on a day-by-day basis and “nothing is set in stone.”
Lightfoot urges residents to sign up for Smart911
As the number of first responders to test positive for the coronavirus rose to 29 on Saturday, Lightfoot urged Chicagoans to create a profile on Smart911, which will alert first responders to a caller’s medical information — including whether they are under quarantine — while they respond to calls for service.
The “free, voluntary and secure service” lets people input their medical information so that in the event that someone needs to call 911, the call taker will automatically see the caller’s profile, including whether they are experiencing coronavirus symptoms, according to a statement from the mayor’s office.
The Chicago Fire Department said Saturday that eight department personnel had contracted the coronavirus, while the Chicago Police Department said 20 officers and one civilian employee had tested positive.
Pritzker recommends grocery stores say no to reusable bags
Pritzker also outlined new recommendations, developed with the Illinois Retail Merchants Association, for grocery stores Saturday to prevent workers and other shoppers from contracting the virus, including not using reusable bags that shoppers bring from home.
Businesses were also advised to have signage at the entrance and throughout their stores alerting shoppers that they must maintain a six-foot distance from others, Pritzker said. Stores should also continuously announce these guidelines over their PA systems. Other best practices include installing floor markers at checkout lines, encouraging cashless purchases for speedy checkouts and placing shield guards in front of cashiers and baggers, Pritzker said.
Instacart workers threaten strike
Shoppers for Instacart, an online grocery delivery service, have also expressed concerns about safety in grocery stores. Some workers are threatening to strike Monday if the San Francisco-based company doesn’t meet their demands for more safety protections and better pay.