(WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- Here are latest developments in the coronavirus outbreak in Illinois on Wednesday, May 6, 2020:
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker on Tuesday unveiled a five-phase, regional plan to eventually reopen the state from its coronavirus-related lockdown, but offered a sobering qualification: the final phase, including the ability to hold large events like conventions and concerts, won't come until there is a vaccine or effective treatment for COVID-19. MORE DETAILS HERE.
NEW NUMBERS: The Illinois Department of Public Health reported 2,122 new cases and 176 deaths. That takes the state's overall known total to 65,962 cases, including 2,838 deaths. READ MORE HERE.
Fifty-six more people in Cook County have died of causes related to COVID-19, the Cook County medical examiner confirmed Tuesday. The county's coronavirus death toll now stands at 1,969. MORE DETAILS HERE.
Chicago police announced five more cases Tuesday of COVID-19, bringing the total in the department to 468. Of the confirmed cases, 447 are officers and 21 are civilian employees. DETAILS HERE.
Another employee at the Cook County Circuit Court clerk's office has tested positive for COVID-19, bringing the overall total to 22. READ MORE HERE.
Indiana's expanded coronavirus testing program is set to start Wednesday at 20 sites around the state, although those tests still won't be available to everybody. That additional testing comes as Indiana's number of confirmed or probable coronavirus-related deaths has jumped to over 1,300 after state health officials added 62 fatalities to that toll on Tuesday. MORE DETAILS HERE.
To address the critical need for personal protective equipment, the State of Illinois has procured technology capable of decontaminating PPE for reuse in the fight against COVID-19. This is a free service that will safely stretch our critical PPE for frontline workers. State officials said effective immediately, workers in hospitals, nursing homes, clinics and other frontline occupations should begin saving unsoiled N95 masks for decontamination right away. A Battelle Critical Decontamination System has been established in Waukegan to address this immediate need. 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!
