Illinois COVID-19 Update: IL reports 3,235 new coronavirus cases, 24 deaths
Chicago's top doctor issues Easter weekend warning as COVID cases climb
CHICAGO (WLS) -- Illinois Department of Public Health officials reported 3,235 new confirmed and probable cases of COVID-19 and 24 related deaths Friday.
The preliminary seven-day statewide test positivity from March 26-April 1 is 4.1%.
There have been 1,251,346 total cases, including 21,349 deaths in the state.
Chicago's top doctor issued a warning about Easter weekend Thursday, as the state reported 3,526 COVID-19 cases, the largest one-day increase in nearly two months.
In Chicago, at least three factors are driving the recent uptick. Officials say cell phone location data confirms more people in recent weeks have been gathering with others in the evening.
SEE ALSO | 2 Chicago zip codes see dangerous spike in COVID cases
More contagious variants, officials say, are becoming more prevalent. And as more people get vaccinated, some may be letting down their guard.
Officials recommend outdoor gatherings with distance, masks and a small number of guests this holiday weekend.
Gov. Pritzker gets COVID vaccine
A total of 7,300,095 doses of vaccine have been delivered to providers in Illinois, including Chicago, with an additional 448,830 doses allocated to federal government partners for long-term care facilities, bringing the total number delivered in Illinois to 7,748,925.
A total of 6,043,292 vaccines have been administered in Illinois as of Thursday night, including 368,124 for long-term care facilities. The seven-day rolling average of vaccines administered daily is 108,811 doses. There were 124,870 doses reported administered in Illinois Thursday.
Illinois has administered doses to 70% of residents 65 and older, reaching the threshold needed to move into the Bridge Phase of reopening. However, IDPH said rising hospitalization rates will prevent Illinois from moving into the Bridge Phase. IDPH epidemiologists will continue to focus on the most recent 10 days to monitor any acute trends that prevent the state from reaching the Bridge Phase.
As of Thursday night, 1,445 individuals in Illinois were reported to be in the hospital with COVID-19. Of those, 314 patients were in the ICU and 129 patients with COVID-19 were on ventilators.
The deaths reported Friday include:
- Cook County: 2 males 30s, 1 male 40s, 2 males 50s, 2 males 60s, 1 female 70s, 4 males 70s, 1 female 80s, 1 male 80s, 1 female 90s
- Madison County: 2 males 40s, 1 male 70s
- Rock Island County: 1 male 60s
- Saline County: 1 male 60s
- Sangamon County: 1 female 70s
- Whiteside County: 1 male 80s
- Will County: 2 females 70s
