* Not good, campers. Highest number of cases reported in almost two months. Lots more testing now, but that positivity rate continues to rise. Not good…

The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) today announced 1,624 new confirmed cases of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Illinois, including 20 additional confirmed deaths.

Boone County: 1 male 80s
Cook County: 1 male 30s, 2 male 40s, 4 females 50s, 1 female 80s, 1 female 100+
Douglas County: 1 male 80s
DuPage County: 2 males 60s
Kane County: 1 male 70s
Lake County: 2 males 70s, 1 male 80s
McHenry County: 1 female 80s
Will County: 1 female 70s, 1 male 80s

Currently, IDPH is reporting a total of 166,925 cases, including 7,367 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 39,706 specimens for a total of 2,388,193. The preliminary seven-day statewide positivity for cases as a percent of total test from July 16 –July 22 is 3.4%. As of last night, 1,473 people in Illinois were reported to be in the hospital with COVID-19. Of those, 309 patients were in the ICU and 135 patients with COVID-19 were on ventilators.

The most concerning region is still the Metro East, which has a 6.9 percent positivity average and 6 days of a positivity increase.

We’re basically heading back to June numbers.

* WHOI…

Peoria County Sheriff Brian Asbell confirms to Heart of Illinois ABC that eight more inmates have been confirmed with COVID-19.

That brings the total to 30.

This comes less than 24 hours after he told us there were also 13 employees at the jail, currently isolating after either testing positive, potentially being exposed to someone who was positive, or still waiting for test results.

* Press release…

In a press conference this morning, union leaders representing thousands of faculty and staff at Illinois colleges and universities formally issued a joint statement calling on campus presidents to start the upcoming semester with online learning.

“The latest science should dictate and guide the reopening of our colleges and universities to protect the safety of our students, faculty, employees, their families, and communities,” said University Professionals of Illinois (UPI) President John Miller. “With so much still unknown about COVID-19, this is not the time to rush the reopening of our institutions.”

Considering the current uptick in cases across Illinois and the likelihood of a second wave in the months ahead, we must put science before politics and economics to ensure everyone’s safety, he added.

University Professionals of Illinois – which represents faculty and staff at seven of Illinois’ 12 public universities – is one of more than 40 unions and allied groups to sign on to a joint higher education statement demanding remote learning to start this fall.

* Expect more of this…

As cases of COVID-19 again begin to swell in Southern Illinois, some restaurants are saying it’s just too risky to stay open for dine-in service, while others find themselves closing after employees test positive.

Thai Taste was late to the dine-in reopening party. As Illinois moved into Phase 4 of its reopening plan in June, Tam Rachatanavin, owner of the popular Carbondale eatery, said he wanted to wait. He and his staff waited until July 13 to welcome guests back inside. It didn’t last long, though. The restaurant announced on Facebook on Monday that after about a week of dine-in service, it would go back to curbside and delivery only. […]

“It was the reasonable and responsible thing to do,” Rachatanavin said of canceling dine-in service. He said “we take a hit, we take a hit but I’d rather this than have a positive case and (have to close).”

* Sun-Times live blog…

Theater audience must be masked for duration of show at reopening playhouse

How does contact tracing work?

US signs contract with Pfizer for COVID-19 vaccine doses

Carlos Rosas, the friendly manager of popular fish shack Calumet Fisheries, has died of the coronavirus. He was 41.

Challenging times require all hands on deck

* Tribune live blog…

Worries about COVID-19 spreading through the vents send building owners in search of cleaner air

Elementary schools may be safer to reopen, doctors say

Virus resurgence sends jobless claims up for first time since March

Aurora schools to offer families choice of partial return to classes or full remote learning

Please, wear a mask, keep your distance, wash your hands and use actual common sense.

…Adding… Wise move…

The Illinois bar exam, which was to take place in person in September, has been canceled and will be replaced with a remote version in October “due to continuing public health concerns raised by the COVID-19 pandemic,” the Illinois Supreme Court announced Thursday.

The change comes after months of student advocacy and a letter earlier this week from nine Illinois law school deans to the court recommending a remote exam.

…Adding… From my brother Devin’s online outlet…

According to an email sent out to administration, faculty and staff this morning, Frankfort District #168 Superintendent Matt Donkin stated: “We are tracking COVID-19 cases and working through protocols and guidance so that we can respond properly. Staff that were in closet contact will remain isolated at this time.” The email further states that the Administrative Service Center is also closed until further notice.