CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- Illinois has surpassed its daily goal of testing 10,000 people for the novel coronavirus, Gov. JB Pritzker says.
On Friday, the state was able to test 16,124 people in the span of a day, said Pritzker, who has made prolific testing a priority as Illinois prepares to reopen after his extended stay-at-home order expires May 30.
Of those who were tested, about 17 percent were positive, the governor said, compared to the cumulative average of 21 percent that has been compiled over several weeks.
He said it's too early to determine whether coronavirus infections are actually decreasing, but added: "It's a positive sign nonetheless for everyone when more people are getting tested and there is a lower ratio of positives."
Friday's surge in testing represents the first time the state has been able to hit or exceed the governor's goal of 10,000 daily tests. Pritzker credited his administration with striking public and private partnerships to increase the number of tests that have been administered.
Going forward, Pritzker said he thinks the state can continue to meet his daily goal.
The good news was tempered by grim new statistics. Illinois announced its largest daily jump in new coronavirus cases — 2,724. That brings the state's total number of cases to date to 39,658. Officials have said a jump in positive results is expected when testing increases.
The state reported 108 new deaths from COVID-19, for a statewide total of 1,795 fatalities.
Also Friday, Pritzker was asked about President Trump's suggestion the day before that perhaps disinfecting solutions can be injected into human bodies to combat COVID-19. Trump walked back the remarks, claiming his was joking, after he was widely ridiculed.
Pritzker wasn't laughing. He said it really didn't look or sound like Trump was being sarcastic and that the Republican president's suggestion was downright dangerous.
"I hope to God nobody listened to him yesterday," the Democratic governor said.
