Illinois issues ‘shelter-in-place’ order

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker issued a “shelter-in-place” order that started 5 p.m., Saturday, March 21, for all of Illinois. The drastic order intended to curb the spread of the virus continues through April 30, and schools were ordered to remain closed until then as well. The order was originally to expire April 7 but was extended by Pritzker on March 31. The order means Illinoisans should stay home as much as possible, but allows them to take walks, drive on both local roads and interstate highways as well as go to grocery stores, gas stations and pharmacies.Pritzker’s list of essential workers was long, including health care, industry, trades, food production and distribution. A complete list is below.

How many people have coronavirus in Illinois and where do they live?

Fifty-three more deaths were reported April 3 for a total of 210 related to the coronavirus. There were 1,209 new cases reported Friday, bringing the total confirmed cases to 8,904 in Illinois. Approximately 85% of fatalities are among patients age 60 and older, IDPH reported. The first Illinois death was on March 17. Deaths reported Friday included: in Christian County, one female in her 80s; in Cook County, one male in his 30s, one female and four males in their 50s, four females and six males and one unknown in their 60s, two females and six males in their 70s, two females and one male in their 80s, four females in their 90s and one female in her 100s; in DuPage County, one male in his 50s and one male in his 70s; in Kane County, one female in her 90s; in Kankakee County, one female in her 40s and one male in his 80s; in Lake County, one male in his 40s, two females and four males in their 60s, two males in their 70s, and one female and one male in their 90s; and in Will County, one female and one male in their 80s, and one male in his 90s.

The total counties reporting COVID-19 cases is 64. State officials on March 17 announced the first death in Illinois attributed to the coronavirus – a Chicago woman in her 60s with an underlying health condition who was diagnosed with COVID-19 earlier this month. Of the state’s 210 deaths, 141 have been in Cook County and 57 of those in Chicago.

DeWitt, Effingham and Jersey counties reported their first cases as the total grew to 8,904 cases in 64 Illinois counties on April 3 from 105 cases in 15 counties on March 16. Cases were reported in Adams, Bond, Bureau, Carroll, Champaign, Christian, Clark, Clinton, Cook, Crawford, Cumberland, DeKalb, DeWitt, Douglas, DuPage, Effingham, Fayette, Ford, Franklin, Grundy, Henry, Iroquois, Jackson, Jersey, Jo Daviess, Kane, Kankakee, Kendall, Knox, Lake, LaSalle, Livingston, Logan, McHenry, McLean, Macon, Macoupin, Madison, Marion, Marshall, Massac, Menard, Mercer, Monroe, Montgomery, Morgan, Moultrie, Ogle, Peoria, Piatt, Randolph, Rock Island, Saline, Sangamon, St. Clair, Stephenson, Tazewell, Vermilion, Washington, Whiteside, Will, Williamson, Winnebago and Woodford counties. Because of the lack of testing abilities, delays in results and the behavior of the virus, the number of people with coronavirus in Illinois is likely significantly higher than the 8,904 reported. The state tested over 48,048 specimens for the virus as of Friday. IDPH has been updating the spread at 2:30 p.m. daily.

Statewide, COVID-19 was infecting 70 of very 100,000 residents through April 3, compared to a national infection rate of 73 of every 100,000 residents. The infection rate was 119 of every 100,000 residents in Cook County.

Economic impacts of COVID-19 in Illinois

Illinois’ unemployment claims were hitting record levels, with more than 178,000 new unemployment claims filed for the week ending March 28. That is more than 1800% higher than new claims filed for the same week a year earlier. Nationally, 6.6 million Americans sought unemployment in that same week, bringing the U.S. total since the beginning of March to 10 million.

The Illinois Policy Institute has recommended the state enact measures to blunt the economic damage from the virus. They include delaying commercial property tax payments, suspending collection of traffic fees and fines that do not impact public safety, and removing the progressive tax question from the Nov. 3 ballot so small businesses and the state economy are not hit by $3.7 billion in new taxes just as the economic recovery is expected to begin.

What to do if you think you have coronavirus and how to stay healthy

Symptoms of COVID-19 include a fever, shortness of breath and coughing. The strength of the symptoms will vary from person to person. If an individual exhibits symptoms, it is imperative they immediately minimize contact with other people. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has a list of directions for infected people to follow:

• Stay in a single room in your home away from other people.

• Call ahead to your doctor, health care provider or emergency room to let them know you may have coronavirus so they can prepare for your arrival and limit your exposure to others.

• If you are sick, wear a face mask.

• Cover your coughs and sneezes. Then, wash your hands with soap and water or hand sanitizer that is at least 60% alcohol.

• Avoid touching your face. Your eyes, nose and mouth are the easiest way to transfer the virus into your body from your hands.

• Do not share things with others. This includes eating utensils, cups, dishes, towels or even bedding.

• Avoid contact with pets. If you must come in contact for their care, wash hands before and after.

• Clean frequently. Disinfect surfaces in your house including tables, sinks, toilets, phones and computers.

Depending on the severity of your symptoms, you may not need medical attention and can remain in your home for 14 days until the symptoms subside. Remember, there is no treatment for the coronavirus, but the strength of symptoms is different for each person. This why it is important to minimize contact as much as possible. Check the CDC website for more information.

The Illinois Department of Public Health also provides information specific to the state about best practices and information for dealing with exposure to the virus.

IDPH also maintains a hotline at 800-889-3931. It supports English and Spanish at present but will soon be in Polish and Mandarin as well. You can email questions to dph.sick@illinois.gov.

Social distancing

The best way to stop the spread of coronavirus is to practice social distancing. Social distancing means staying away from others as much as possible, both in public and private spaces. The IDPH further outlines exactly how Illinoisans can practice social distancing:

• Stay six feet away from others. Exchange verbal greetings instead of hugs or handshakes. Chicago officials also recommend an elbow bump instead of a handshake.

• Work with your employer to find alternate ways to work. While many jobs require social interaction and must go on, those who work in offices should find ways to work remotely and minimize in-person meetings.

[