* Press release…

The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) today reported 8,757 new confirmed and probable cases of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Illinois, including 177 additional deaths. Illinois has now reported more than one million cases since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“In a pandemic that has contained far too many tragic milestones, today’s marking of one million cases of COVID-19 diagnosed in Illinois deserves particular recognition,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “As this disease continues to wreak havoc on our nation – with the United States setting another record for the most COVID-19 deaths in a day just yesterday – it is critical that we take extra caution today and in the months ahead to reduce the spread, bring down hospitalization rates, and save lives. Now that vaccine distribution has begun, we can see the light at the end of this difficult time – let’s do everything we can to ensure all of our neighbors are able to be there as we cross that finish line, healthy as well. With that goal in mind, I encourage all Illinoisans to choose to receive the protections of the COVID-19 vaccine when it’s your turn in line.”

“As the vaccine rolls out, our hope, and goal, is that the number of new cases we see each day will decrease,” said IDPH Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike. “Reporting more than one million COVID-19 cases in Illinois seemed like an unlikely number at the beginning of the pandemic, and we’ve now all seen how devastating this disease can be. I urge everyone to continue to wear their mask, avoid social gatherings, and get vaccinated when it’s your turn.”

Adams County: 1 female 60s, 1 female 70s, 2 females 80s, 1 male 80s, 1 male 90s
Bureau County: 1 male 60s
Christian County: 2 males 70s, 1 male 80s
Clay County: 1 female 60s
Coles County: 1 male 80s
Cook County: 2 males 40s, 3 males 50s, 1 female 60s, 6 males 60s, 8 females 70s, 8 males 70s, 7 females 80s, 9 males 80s, 4 females 90s, 2 males 90s, 1 female 100+
Douglas County: 1 male 80s
DuPage County: 1 male 40s, 1 male 70s, 3 females 80s, 1 male 80s, 1 female 90s, 1 male 90s, 1 male 100+
Edgar County: 1 female 80s
Fayette County: 1 male 80s
Fulton County: 1 male 30s
Grundy County: 1 female 70s, 1 male 70s, 1 male 80s
Hancock County: 1 male 50s
Hardin County: 1 male 60s
Henry County: 1 female 70s, 1 female 80s, 1 female 90s
Iroquois County: 1 female 80s
Jackson County: 1 female 70s, 2 females 90s
Jefferson County: 1 male 50s, 1 male 70s, 1 female 90s
Jersey County: 1 male 80s
Kane County: 1 male 60s, 3 females 70s, 1 female 80s, 1 male 80s, 1 female 90s
Kankakee County: 1 male 90s
Knox County: 1 female 90s
Lake County: 1 male 40s, 2 females 70s, 1 male 70s, 1 male 80s, 1 female 90s
Lee County: 1 female 80s, 1 male 80s
Livingston County: 1 female 70s
Macon County: 1 male 90s
Macoupin County: 1 male 70s
Madison County: 1 male 50s, 2 males 60s, 1 female 80s
Marion County: 1 male 80s, 1 female 90s
Marshall County: 1 male 70s
McHenry County: 1 male 40s, 1 female 70s, 1 male 70s, 2 females 80s, 1 male 80s, 1 female 90s, 1 female 100+
McLean County: 1 female 80s
Montgomery County: 1 female 60s, 1 male 60s
Peoria County: 1 female 60s, 1 male 60s, 1 male 70s, 1 female 80s
Piatt County: 1 female 60s
Randolph County: 1 female 60s, 1 female 80s, 1 female 90s
Rock Island County: 1 female 50s, 1 male 60s, 1 female 90s, 2 males 90s
Sangamon County: 1 female 70s, 1 male 70s, 1 female 90s
St. Clair County: 1 male 50s, 1 male 60s, 1 male 70s, 1 female 80s, 2 males 80s, 1 male 90s
Tazewell County: 1 female 70s, 3 males 70s, 1 female 80s, 1 male 80s, 1 female 90s, 1 male 90s
Vermilion County: 1 male 80s
Whiteside County: 1 female 80s, 1 male 80s
Will County: 1 male 40s, 1 male 60s, 2 females 70s, 1 male 70s, 2 female 80s, 1 female 90s
Williamson County: 1 female 80s
Winnebago County: 2 female 70s 1 male 70s
Woodford County:1 male 80s

Currently, IDPH is reporting a total of 1,008,045 cases, including 17,272 deaths, in 102 counties in Illinois. The age of cases ranges from younger than one to older than 100 years. Within the past 24 hours, laboratories have reported 105,518 specimens for a total 13,803,946. As of last night, 3,921 in Illinois were reported to be in the hospital with COVID-19. Of those, 783 patients were in the ICU and 450 patients with COVID-19 were on ventilators.

The preliminary seven-day statewide positivity for cases as a percent of total test from December 31, 2020 – January 6, 2021 is 8.5%. The preliminary seven-day statewide test positivity from December 31, 2020 – January 6, 2021 is 9.8%.

The previous mask mandate established through an emergency rule to the Control of Communicable Disease Code expired on January 3, 2021. However, a subsequent emergency rule was filed January 4, 2021 and is in effect for 150 days.

*All data are provisional and will change. In order to rapidly report COVID-19 information to the public, data are being reported in real-time. Information is constantly being entered into an electronic system and the number of cases and deaths can change as additional information is gathered. Information for a death previously reported has changed, therefore, today’s numbers have been adjusted. For health questions about COVID-19, call the hotline at 1-800-889-3931 or email dph.sick@illinois.gov.

* On the eve of the lame duck session, it’s worth noting that Sangamon County’s average positivity rate is 7 percent, which is up from 5.5 percent five days earlier. That’s a 27 percent increase. Also, Region 3’s ICU availability has fallen below 20 percent.

Be careful.