CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and his top health officer, Ngozi Ezike, became familiar figures over the spring as coronavirus swept though the state, with their daily news briefings.
The briefings eventually ceased as the state appeared to bend the curve of new infections. Now, with cases again surging, Pritzker and his Public Health Director are resuming daily presentations to discuss the latest trends here in COVID-19.
Generally, they are not good. On Monday, the state reported 3,113 new cases of coronavirus, including 22 additional deaths. This comes as Illinois hit a record daily high — 4,554 cases — just last Friday.
The state’s positivity rate crept up to 5.4%, a low percentage compared to many states but one that indicates the virus again is spreading in Illinois.
“Nearly every region in the state has seen an increase in COVID-related hospitalizations over the last week,” Pritzker said.
The Pritzker administration announced new operating restrictions on bars and restaurants for Southern Illinois because of rising coronavirus metrics there.
The governor warned residents of Chicago’s “collar” counties that they could be next, as soon as Tuesday. Regions 7 and 8 have shown rolling positivity rates of more than 8%, Pritzker noted.
Those suburban areas include parts of Will and DuPage County, including the cities of Naperville, Aurora, Joliet and Kankakee.
Officials concede residents are suffering from COVID fatigue over repeated orders to mask up and keep socially distant. Pritzker has also blamed President Trump for sending mixed messages about the virus and measures to control it.
Also Monday, DuPage County education officials advised schools to go back to remote learning only, amid a rise in coronavirus cases.
Related
