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Coronavirus in Illinois updates: 1,426 new known COVID-19 cases and 12 additional deaths reported, a day after four counties put at ‘warning level’ due to outbreaks

Chicago Tribune - 7/25/2020

Illinois announced 1,426 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 on Saturday, the fourth straight day with more than 1,200 new cases.

The uptick gave the state its highest 7-day rolling average since the end of May, when cases were coming down from the initial peak.

The state also announced Saturday 12 additional deaths from the coronavirus. There have been 7,397 deaths from COVID-19 in Illinois in 62 counties.

On Friday, LaSalle County, just outside the Chicago area, and Peoria County, as well as Adams County, with a county seat Quincy, in western Illinois, and rural Randolph County in southwest Illinois were put on a “warning level.” The four counties all saw outbreaks of coronavirus recently related to various risk factors, according to state officials.

The total confirmed cases in Illinois stands at 169,883. Five states have more total cases than Illinois: California, New York, Florida, Texas and New Jersey. Arizona, which has seen a recent surge, has 156,392 cases as of Saturday, according to New York Times data.

Here’s what’s happening this weekend regarding COVID-19 in the Chicago area and Illinois:

Saturday: 1,426 new known COVID-19 cases, 12 additional deaths

Illinois announced 1,426 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 Saturday, the fourth straight day with more than 1,200 new cases.

The uptick gave the state its highest 7-day rolling average since the end of May, when cases were coming down from the initial peak.

Friday, officials put four counties on warning: LaSalle County, just outside the Chicago area; Peoria County; Adams County, with a county seat Quincy, in western Illinois; and rural Randolph County in southwest Illinois. LaSalle added 21 new cases for a cumulative total of 388; Peoria 37 for 984, Adams 8 for 324 and Ranldolph 7 for 399.

The state also announced Saturday 12 additional deaths from the coronavirus, including five women and one man from Cook County, all in their 60s or older. Lake, DuPage and Kane counties each saw one new death announced Saturday. The other deaths were in Boone, Cumberland and St. Clair counties.

There have been 7,397 deaths from COVID-19 in Illinois in 62 counties.

Saturday saw 38,200 test results announced, bringing Illinois to a total of 2.5 million tests since the beginning of the outbreak. The total confirmed cases stands at 169,883. Five states have more total cases than Illinois: California, New York, Florida, Texas and New Jersey. Arizona, which has seen a recent surge, has 156,392 cases as of Saturday, according to New York Times data.

--Jonathon Berlin

Friday: New CDC guidance adds pressure for schools to reopen in the fall, but teachers’ demands for remote learning are getting louder

As Chicago Public Schools collects feedback from families on its proposal to bring students back into the classroom part time this fall, federal officials continue to signal they favor schools reopening fully.

Vice President Mike Pence’s comments Friday that reopening schools “is the best thing for our kids” and “also the best thing for working families” followed the release of new resources from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which made a statement on “The Importance of Reopening America’s Schools this Fall.”

The CDC’s new guidance includes resources for elementary and secondary schools and decision-making tools for parents and caregivers. Many of the recommendations sound familiar, such as social distancing, cloth face coverings, proper cleaning and personal hygiene, and “cohorting,” in which a group of students sticks together throughout the day to minimize exposure. Schools are instructed to be prepared for COVID-19 cases and exposure, and have systems such as contact tracing in place for when that happens.

Though the guidance itself focuses on how to keep students and staff members safe and mitigate transmission risks, other language from the CDC and federal officials strongly encourages schools to reopen.

Read more here. --Hannah Leone

Friday: 4 counties are at a ‘warning level’ for COVID-19 because of outbreaks

After announcing more than 1,500 new known coronavirus cases and 19 confirmed deaths, state health officials said Friday four counties are at a “warning level” for COVID-19 because of outbreaks of the virus.

A total of 1,532 new known COVID-19 cases were disclosed Friday by the Illinois Department of Public Health, with all new confirmed deaths from Cook, DuPage or Winnebago counties. The new numbers came a day after officials announced the highest daily total of new cases since Memorial Day, 1,624 new infections.

Counties at warning levels are those identified as having two or more risk factors for increased COVID-19 cases. The warnings don’t necessarily change a region’s lockdown level, but are meant to be a guide for local officials and residents regarding “personal and family gatherings, as well as what activities they choose to do,” according to a state news release.

The four counties all saw outbreaks of coronavirus recently related to various risk factors, according to state officials.

Read more here. --Sydney Czyzon

Friday: McDonald’s to require masks at restaurants, delays reopenings another month

McDonald’s will require customers to wear face coverings at its restaurants, joining other large businesses that are tightening rules as COVID-19 cases mount across the country.

The Chicago-based fast food giant also said Friday that it will delay for another 30 days the reopening of dining rooms that remain closed.

The mask requirement takes effect Aug. 1.

McDonald’s will offer masks to customers who don’t have one. If a customer declines to wear one, their order will be expedited and they will be guided to a designated pickup spot a safe distance from other customers.

Nearly 82% of McDonald’s 14,000 U.S. restaurants are in states or areas that require facial coverings for customers, including Illinois, but “it’s important we protect the safety of all employees and customers,” the company said.

Read more here. --Alexia Elejalde-Ruiz

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