Health & Fitness

Coronavirus Spreads To IL Long-Term Care Facility; Now 66 Cases

A woman at a DuPage County long-term care facility tested positive for COVID-19, and the illness is now in Central and Southern Illinois.

Illinois now has 64 coronavirus cases.
Illinois now has 64 coronavirus cases. (Elizabeth Janney/Patch)

DUPAGE COUNTY, IL — Illinois' total number of coronavirus cases has spiked by another 20 patients since Friday, bringing the total number of patients to 66, Gov. J.B. Pritzker said Saturday. He said the cases include a woman in her 60s at a long-term care facility in DuPage County as well as patients in Central and Southern Illinois.

Once centered in Cook County, the state's coronavirus patients are now also in DuPage, Kane, McHenry, Lake, Cumberland, St. Clair, Sangamon and Woodford counties.

A Woodford County man in his 70s and a Cumberland County man in his 70s both tested positive for COVID-19. Additionally, two St. Clair County residents have tested positive — a woman in her 60s and a woman in her 70s.

Find out what's happening in Across Illinoiswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

DuPage Care Center Restricts Visits Amid Coronavirus Concerns

There are also seven new cases in Chicago, four in suburban Cook, one in Kane and one in Lake County. Public health officials are still investigating the travel history of these individuals and any potential contact with a known COVID-19 case. Public health officials will identify and contact people who are considered close contacts of these cases.

Find out what's happening in Across Illinoiswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

For all new patients — including the woman at the DuPage County care facility — all close contacts are being tested, and health officials are gathering their possible exposures and travel histories.

Pritzker also took a moment to thank those who have followed social distancing practices and to appeal to those who haven't.

Coronavirus In Illinois: What You Need To Know For March 14

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"We saw a lot of crowds out and about today," he said, referring to lines outside bars despite the cancellation of St. Patrick's Day events around the state. Pritzker said positive outcomes have been seen in countries that have followed social distancing and "tragedies in countries that did not."

"If you are young and healthy, listen up," Pritzker said. "You may only have mild symptoms for a few days (with coronavirus) ... but you may have the tragic unintended effect of spreading COVID-19 to more vulnerable people" — like those who are over age 60, those with heart and lung illness, those with immune conditions and those with diabetes.

"This isn't forever," he said of social distancing, saying it will help hospitals and healthcare providers keep from being overwhelmed with patients. "This is a sacrifice in the short term to help our hospitals, our healthcare workers, our testing labs and our elderly and vulnerable residents," Pritzker said.

Dr. Ngozi Ezike, director of the Illinois Department of Public Health, said long-term care facilities and nursing homes have been taking additional precautions, restricting visitors and increasing cleaning.

Who will be tested?

While there are 64 cases in Illinois currently, "We are starting to see results from commercial labs," she added, "which could mean we see a dramatic increase in positives." So far, the Illinois Department of Public Health said 449 people have tested negative for coronavirus and tests are pending on another 195 "persons under investigation."

Even so, "Not everyone who requests a test needs a test," Ezike said.

Those who believe they may have coronavirus should contact their healthcare provider — but should not simply go to a clinic or emergency room.

"Please do not walk into an emergency room unless your condition is dire — not everyone with COVID-19 will need medical care," Pritzker said. "People whose symptoms are mild — and that will be most people — will be able to isolate at home during their illness."

Though shortages of testing kits is a problem that has drawn the criticism of Pritzker — as well as U.S. Sens. Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth — not everyone will be tested, according to Ezike, who added, "We understand that people are very interested in being tested."

Instead, anyone with symptoms should call their doctor or a clinic to get guidance.

Allison Arwady, commissioner of the Chicago Department of Public Health, continued to caution against panicking even as schools and churches close.

"Stay calm," she said. "It’s not a time for panic. It’s a time for listening to advice and for learning more."

More from Patch:
Illinois Casinos To Close For 14 Days Due To Coronavirus
Archdiocese of Chicago Suspends Masses, Closes Catholic Schools
Diocese Of Joliet Schools To Close Starting March 16
Joliet Diocese Orders One-Weekend, Dioce


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