CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- The Illinois peak of coronavirus cases may not happen until mid-June, Gov. JB Pritzker said Monday, conceding this will be "disheartening" to people who hoped the worst would be past by mid-May.
Because the peak of cases may occur a month later, this presumably means it will take longer for the number of cases to bend downward and allow all regions of the state to reopen fully.
Earlier data suggested coronavirus cases in Illinois would peak around now, or by the middle of this month.
"In many ways this news is disheartening," Pritzker said. "We have made great progress, but it has forced us to remain at a moderated, though still high, level of key metrics for this extended period. A pushing out of our estimated peak is a natural consequence of flattening the curve."
Pritzker shared the latest projections as he did his daily COVID-19 media briefing from his Chicago home via livestream. A top aide last week tested positive for the coronavirus, so the governor and other officials in his administration are in self-isolation as a precaution.
The governor declined to identify the senior staffer, who he said is not exhibiting symptoms. The governor said he himself has tested negative, most recently this week.
Illinois residents are under a stay-at-home order until May 30. The governor last week unveiled a plan to reopen the state by four regions, depending on how each area hits certain metrics, such as the number of coronavirus cases and hospital capacity. Every region, except the Northeast sector that includes Chicago, are on track to move into the next phase of loosened restrictions by the end of the month, the governor said. The Chicago area has a high rate of positive test results.
Pritzker has warned that large-scale events with crowds of more than 50 will not be possible anywhere in Illinois until there is a vaccine, an effective treatment or herd immunity.
Some shuttered businesses have balked at the governor's directive to wait longer. So, too, have some churches, which currently are forbidden from meeting with more than 10 people in a single setting. Religious leaders have been encouraged to minister to their flocks over the Internet.
Asked about reports of in-person church services this past weekend, the governor told participants: "You’re potentially putting hundreds of people in danger."
On Monday, the Illinois Department of Public Health reported 1,266 new cases of coronavirus, taking the state's tally to date to 79,007. The new numbers include 54 additional deaths, for a total of 3,459 lives lost since the pandemic began.