CHICAGO — On Wednesday Illinois officials report that an additional 128 people have tested positive for the coronavirus, including 20 more individuals living or working at a nursing home in a southwestern suburb of Chicago.
The Illinois Department of Public Health says that the new cases bring the state’s total to 288 cases in 17 counties.
The patients have ranged in age from 9 to 91.
One woman in her 60’s from Chicago has died due to the virus.
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker has closed schools, and dining roos in restaurants and bars. He has allowed carryout or delivery options to remain.
Ispite of those efforts, Pritzker said that things will get worse before they get better.
Pritzker has enlisted 60 members of the National Guard so far for various missions, including delivery of meals to children who received food through their schools.
Those from the Guard may also soon help hospitals prepare outdoor screening areas for people who want to be tested for the coronavirus.
Briefing from 03/18/20 below:
Cover Image by _freakwave_ from Pixabay
Coronavirus update on 3/18/20 below: