CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- As new coronavirus cases reached the second-highest number in a single day thus far, Gov. Pritzker applauded community efforts that have brought positivity and hope to residents and healthcare workers combatting the pandemic.
Community members and local businesses have been hard at work delivering care packages to frontline workers and seniors, making hand sanitizer and masks, donating food and financial relief and bringing virtual entertainment to those in need.
"That’s the thing about Illinois — everywhere you look, there are people stepping up to fill the gap in people's lives, being the friend you need," Pritzker said at his daily press conference.
The governor highlighted several groups doing good, such as Clearbrook in Palatine, a nonprofit that delivered activity care packages along with caroling to over 60 families with disabilities; Chicago-based Urban Autism Solutions that hosted digital meetups with young adults; a family-owned distillery in Rochelle that made thousands of gallons of hand sanitizer for local heroes; and the Syrian Community Network in Chicago that has helped refugee families access the basic resources they need.
"You are the helpers, you are bending he curve and helping out our healthcare workers and saving lives just by staying home," he said. "I am proud of you."
Hearing the good deeds came as the state saw its second-highest daily case spike to date, with 1,585 new cases and 125 deaths. There are now 29,160 cases in Illinois and 1,259 deaths, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health.
Dr. Ezike Ngozi, director of IDPH, said testing is ramping up in the state, which means more cases will be confirmed.
"With more access to testing, we will learn about more positive cases but that will allow us to give more resources," Ngozi said.
But she also said, with guarded optimism, that the growth is slowing and people need to continue staying home, washing hands and wearing masks if they go outside.
However, both Pritzker and Ngozi said Illinois has not yet hit its peak, so people still need to abide by the shelter-in-place and not congregate — even though nice weather is upon us.
Pritzker said he is still negotiating whether to extend the stay-at-home order or not but Friday announced that all schools are closed for the rest of the academic year.