CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- The Illinois Department of Public Health on Friday announced 488 new cases of COVID-19, including eight deaths, across the state.
That takes the statewide total to 3,026 cases, including 34 deaths, in 40 counties in Illinois. The age of cases ranges from younger than one to 99 years, health officials said.
A day earlier, on Thursday, the statewide COVID-19 tally was 2,538 cases, including 26 deaths, in 37 counties.
About 86% of fatalities are among patients 60 or older, IDPH reports.
State and city of Chicago officials this week emphasized the importance of using "social distance" to help flatten the curve of the coronavirus outbreak and keep pressure off Illinois hospitals.
Illinois residents are under a "stay at home" order unless they have jobs that are deemed "essential." People under the order may still go shopping for groceries and exercise outdoors but cannot congregate.
