(WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- Here are latest developments in the coronavirus outbreak in Illinois on Wednesday, April 15, 2020:
- llinois Gov. JB Pritzker on Tuesday said he and his counterparts in Midwestern states have discussed the eventual reopening of the region when experts determine it's safe enough. The idea is similar to a strategy being employed by governers in the Northeast and on the West Coast and would seem to clash with an idea pushed this week by President Trump, that the commander-in-chief ultimately calls the shots when it comes to lifting social-distancing restrictions and restarting the economy. MORE DETAILS.
- NEW NUMBERS: The Illinois Department of Public Health reported 1,222 new cases, including 74 deaths. That takes the state's overall known total to 23,247 cases in 87 counties, including 868 deaths. READ MORE HERE.
- The Office of the Chief Judge of Cook County announced Tuesday that two detainees and an employee at the Juvenile Temporary Detention Center have tested positive for COVID-19. MORE DETAILS HERE.
- Chicago police announced Tuesday 15 more confirmed cases of COVID-19, bringing the number of cases in the department to 215. Of the cases, 207 are officers and eight are civilian employees, Chicago police said. READ MORE HERE.
- The Cook County medical examiner's office confirmed Tuesday that 69 more people have died of coronavirus-related causes. MORE DETAILS HERE.
- Organizers of Lollapalooza say they hope to be able to decide late next month whether this year's open-air music fest in Grant Park will be held over the summer. DETAILS HERE.
- A CTA bus driver with COVID-19 has died, the transit agency announced Tuesday, becoming the second CTA employee to die of the coronavirus. READ MORE HERE.
- The New York Times listed the Cook County Jail as one of the top coronavirus hot spots in the nation. As of Tuesday evening, 326 detainees and 196 correctional officers at the jail have tested positive for the coronavirus, including 21 detainees who are being treated at hospitals. So far, three detainees have died of COVID-19, while another 144 have recovered from the disease. MORE DETAILS HERE.
- Growth in the number of coronavirus cases is going the right way, says Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker. On Tuesday, he talked about how the state's rate of "doubling" in its number of cases has appreciably slowed — from every two days on March 22 to every 8.2 days by April 12. READ MORE HERE.
- At least 94 employees of the Chicago Fire Department have tested positive for the coronavirus, the department reported Tuesday. Of those, 18 members have already returned to duty, according to CFD spokesman Larry Merritt. MORE DETAILS.
- The University of Chicago Medicine is launching a clinical trial to study whether blood plasma from people who have recovered from COVID-19 can be used to treat patients who are still in the hospital with severe disease symptoms. MORE DETAILS HERE.
This is a rapidly evolving situation. Stay tuned to WBBM Newsradio where we will remain live, local, and committed to bringing you the latest information during this outbreak. >>LISTEN LIVE!
