CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- The Cook County medical examiner’s office confirmed 49 more deaths related to the coronavirus Saturday.
The county’s total has risen to 487 deaths, about 71 percent of the statewide total. Earlier in the day, Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced that 677 people in Illinois had died of COVID-19, as the case tally surged to 19,180.
The release of the county's latest COVID-19 death total comes hours after the Illinois Department of Human Services launched a new mental health hotline Saturday to help those who are stressed out and need to talk during the pandemic. The Illinois Call4Calm Text Line is now open 24 hours a day with both Spanish and English counselors to help connect digitally and remind people it's okay to feel the emotional weight of COVID-19.
Pritzker said virtual measures like the hotline will help increase community and address the vital need during this time.
"We’re all dealing with a new situation," Pritzker said. "It’s OK to feel. And please know that you don’t have to feel it all alone."
The hotline is accessible by texting TALK to 552020 for English or HABLAR for Spanish. Coleman said people seeking assistance will remain anonymous and will provide only their first name and zip code, which enables the service to link you to a counselor in your area who is knowledgeable about available local resources.
(Source: Sun-Times Media Wire & Chicago Sun-Times 2020. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)