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1,187 new cases, 8 additional deaths, 3.1 percent positivity rate

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* Press release…

The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) today announced 1,187 new confirmed cases of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Illinois, including 8 additional confirmed deaths.

- Cook County – 1 male 40s, 1 male 60s, 1 male 70s, 1 female 90s
- DuPage County – 1 male 80s
- Kane County – 1 female 80s
- Will County – 1 male 50s, 1 female 70s

Currently, IDPH is reporting a total of 156,693 cases, including 7,226 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 38,161 specimens for a total of 2,079,601. The preliminary seven-day statewide positivity for cases as a percent of total test from July 8–July 14 is 3.1%. As of last night, 1,454 people in Illinois were reported to be in the hospital with COVID-19. Of those, 324 patients were in the ICU and 130 patients with COVID-19 were on ventilators.

…Adding… Press release…

A diverse coalition of business groups renewed calls for Illinoisans to wear face masks when in public to save lives and protect the state’s economy.

Recent data from the Illinois Department of Public Health show that the number of Illinoisans infected with COVID-19 and hospitalization rates have increased since Illinois moved to Phase 4 just over two weeks ago. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and numerous public health studies have demonstrated that masks are effective in slowing the spread of the virus by as much as 85 percent.

“Wearing masks is not a Republican issue or Democrat issue – it’s a public health issue and a jobs issue. We must unite for the sake of our families, businesses, and our communities,” said Mark Denzler, president & CEO of the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association. “We are facing the worst economic and health crisis in generations and every Illinoisan can wear a mask to help slow the spread of the pandemic. If we do not act strongly and quickly, we’ll see manufacturing facilities close and supply chain reductions that will impact consumers across the globe.”

While Governor JB Pritzker issued an order on May 1 directing Illinoisans to wear face coverings when outside the home and unable to socially distance from other individuals, compliance has been uneven. Both the Governor and Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot have stated they would consider reverting to previous stages if the metrics increase, including the potential closure of businesses that only recently reopened.

“Retailers must interact with customers every single day and wearing a mask protects both the workers and customers,” said Rob Karr, president & CEO of the Illinois Retail Merchants Association. “Wearing a mask is a small act that will literally save lives and help protect one of the state’s largest economic engines. One case of COVID-19 can shut down a restaurant, movie theatre, or grocery store for weeks, threatening lives and livelihoods.”

“It’s very possible we could lose the progress Illinois has made against COVID-19 if people aren’t wearing masks in public,” said Robert W. Panton, MD, President of the Illinois State Medical Society. “Not only is wearing a mask a best public health practice in the fight against this virus, doing so can heal Illinois’ economic condition by slowing the spread.”

“We are now seeing a dramatic and troubling surge in COVID-19 cases in many states, including some of our neighboring states, as well as an uptick in Illinois, threatening to erase the hard-won gains we have made in battling the pandemic,” said Illinois Health and Hospital Association President & CEO A. J. Wilhelmi. “That’s why hospitals that are on the frontlines providing life-saving care and supporting the reopening of our economy urge everyone to take a simple and proven step to help stop the spread of the virus – wear a face mask. Together, by protecting ourselves, our loved ones, and our neighbors, we will get through this.”

Other business organizations calling on Illinoisans to wear masks to protect Illinois’ economic health and public safety include:

Associated Beer Distributors of Illinois
Chemical Industry Council of Illinois
Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce
Chicagoland Food & Beverage Network
Illinois Association of Aggregate Producers
Illinois Chamber of Commerce
Illinois Credit Union League
Illinois Fertilizer & Chemical Association
Illinois Hotel & Lodging Association
Illinois Petroleum Marketers Association
Illinois Trucking Association
Illinois Movers’ and Warehouseman’s Association
Mid-West Truckers Association
NFIB Illinois
The Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce
Valley Industrial Association

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Jul 15, 20 @ 12:20 pm

Comments

“Wearing masks is not a Republican issue or Democrat issue – it’s a public health issue and a jobs issue.”

Great statement and completely agree. The best way forward is to do as much as possible today to make a healthier, safer and more prosperous tomorrow, but many don’t agree and put up resistance.

Comment by Grandson of Man Wednesday, Jul 15, 20 @ 12:36 pm
Enough “calls,” start enforcing. Experts say we could have this under control within two months if everyone (i.e., nearly everyone) just wore a mask in public - probably just when indoors. In view of the lives lost and economic damage, why is this a debate? It’s not just “strong authority” nations in Asia that do this - Australia just issued a $13,000 to a family for hosting a large party without masks. Imagine if one state cracked down on this, their rates plummeted, maybe that would be a strong enough example to make others follow.

Comment by lake county democrat Wednesday, Jul 15, 20 @ 12:42 pm
I’m glad to see the business community becoming more vocal about the need to wear masks. It’s infuriating to hear anti-maskers complain about the effects of COVID-19 on the economy, but then prolong the deleterious economic effects through their intransigence. If you refuse to wear a mask for anything other than legitimate medical reasons, you have no right to complain about the economy.

Comment by Zim Wednesday, Jul 15, 20 @ 12:44 pm
I have to say when walking in the hood I am seeing many more facemarks then even last week. We see what is going on elsewhere. Good to see some response.

Comment by 44th Wednesday, Jul 15, 20 @ 12:50 pm
Although our positivity rate is still good, 1445 people in the hospital,324 in ICU and 130 on ventilators is sad.

Comment by pool boy Wednesday, Jul 15, 20 @ 1:30 pm
Wondering how many of the business-oriented organizations listed pushing for mask wearing also pushed for reopening with few or no restrictions?

Comment by revvedup Wednesday, Jul 15, 20 @ 1:42 pm
I wear a mask out in public all the time. I also help coach a teen travel softball team. I am amazed how so many parents of so many teams, clustered together, are not wearing masks. The increase is coming

Comment by M Python Wednesday, Jul 15, 20 @ 2:19 pm
I wonder if some communities are seeing an uptick that’s related to July 4 festivities. One local drugstore that’s been doing testing ran out of swabs Monday and can’t get hold of any more. Another can do the testing, but says it will take 4-6 days to get results.

Yesterday I participated in a video conference with Council on Foreign Relations’ State and Local Initiative. It was about COVID resurgence and what we can do. Takeaway: if we are to successfully get the kids back to school, we must first drive down levels of community transmission as much as we can and especially as we head into flu season.

Comment by yinn Wednesday, Jul 15, 20 @ 4:31 pm