CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- Coronavirus deaths in Illinois have hit a high not seen in months, as the City of Chicago has extended a travel advisory to the whole country.
The Illinois Department of Public Health announced Wednesday that the virus has killed 241 residents so far this month - just eight days in - the vast majority of whom were unvaccinated.
Additionally, IDPH announced Wednesday the state’s worst daily coronavirus death toll in almost seven months. Sixty-two deaths were reported Wednesday - the most in a day since Feb. 19.
Hospitalizations are high, as well. As of Tuesday night, 2,327 people were hospitalized with COVID-19 statewide.
But, Governor Pritzker said the increase in new hospitalizations is slowing, and the seven-day average statewide case positivity rate remains at 4.5 percent.
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Meanwhile, Chicago’s positivity rate has dropped from 4.3 percent to 3.8 percent since last week.
According to IDPH, about 78 percent of Illinois residents 12 or older have had at least one shot, with 60 percent fully vaccinated. Meanwhile, 71 percent of eligible Chicagoans have had one shot.
But, the Chicago Department of Public Health said some South and West side neighborhoods have vaccination numbers around 40 percent.
The city is offering $100 Visa gift cards to those who elect to get vaccinated at city-run mobile vaccination events or who sign up for in-home shot appointments at (312) 746-4835.
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