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* Press release…
The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) today announced 1,257 new confirmed cases of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Illinois, including 25 additional confirmed deaths.
Cook County – 1 male 30s, 1 male 50s, 1 female 60s, 2 females 70s, 1 female 80s, 1 female 90s
Cumberland County – 1 female 80s
Effingham County – 1 female 80s
Kane County – 1 female 60s, 1 male 80s
Lake County – 1 female 80s, 1 female 90s, 1 male 90s
McHenry County – 1 female 70s
Ogle County – 1 male 60s
St. Clair County – 1 female 90s, 1 male 90s
Union County – 1 female 80s, 1 female 90s
Whiteside County – 1 male 80s
Will County – 1 female 70s, 1 male 80s
Winnebago County – 1 male 80s, 1 female 90sCurrently, IDPH is reporting a total of 157,950 cases, including 7,251 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 43,006 specimens for a total of 2,122,607. The preliminary seven-day statewide positivity for cases as a percent of total test from July 9–July 15 is 3.1%. As of last night, 1,434 people in Illinois were reported to be in the hospital with COVID-19. Of those, 311 patients were in the ICU and 127 patients with COVID-19 were on ventilators.
* Meanwhile, IDPH has posted an interactive map so you can check on your new region’s progress, or lack thereof. The latest numbers, however, are from three days ago, so they need to improve that now. Click here. The Metro East region had the state’s highest positivity rate, at 6.6 percent and rising. Hospital admissions had not yet increased yet, but hospital bed availability was at 33 percent, which was still above the 20 percent threshold. ICU availability was at 54 percent.
* This needs far more visibility…
Though some public health experts expected coronavirus transmission to wane in the summer as temperatures rise and the air becomes more humid, cases have actually skyrocketed in some of the hottest and stickiest parts of the country.
Engineers and ventilation experts said this may be in part because residents escape the heat by retreating indoors where heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems could exacerbate airborne transmission with unplanned air currents.
“The main way [air conditioning] can contribute to spreading coronavirus is by creating strong air currents that can move the droplets … and contribute to increase risk,” said William Bahnfleth, chair of the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers’ Epidemic Task Force (ASHRAE) and professor at Penn State University.
Even in bars and restaurants where social distancing is observed, air ventilation can carry respiratory droplets or aerosols that contain virus, said Len Horovitz, pulmonary specialist at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City.
* WSIL…
Thirteen new cases of COVID-19 were reported Wednesday among staff members at the Chester Mental Health Center.
The Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) says 31 total staff members have tested positive since the coronavirus pandemic began. Data from IDHS shows only four of the 31 have returned to work.
There are currently 259 patients at that Randolph County facility.
According to IDHS, two patients have tested positive for COVID-19; one has since recovered.
* From the Tribune’s live blog…
Cook County health system to help test antibody-based drug
Glenview Park District pool closes same day it reopened after three more lifeguards test positive for COVID-19
Cubs weekend night game plan for COVID-19 season advances, heads to full council
UK, US and Canada accuse Russian government’s ‘Cozy Bear’ of hacking coronavirus vaccine trials
Chicago Symphony Orchestra cancels 2020 performances
Abbott earnings top expectations, with $615M in sales from COVID-19 testing
Museum of Science and Industry to reopen August 1 — with food on the front lawn and the front doors open again
Remote learning must continue in Chicago Public Schools this fall, Chicago Teachers Union says
Should you dine out in Chicago? Health experts weigh in on risks, and how to reduce them.
* Sun-Times live blog…
American jobless claims surpass 1 million for 17th straight week
We asked parents and teachers if they’re OK with in-class instruction returning. Here’s what they said.
Chicago South Side Film Festival pivots to online with documentary on predatory contract home sales
Dart touts efforts, CDC study noting drastic drop in coronavirus cases at Cook County Jail
Once kids go back to school, it’s mask up or go home
posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Jul 16, 20 @ 2:40 pm
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The good news is deaths are staying down. That means the propensity is to recover from COVID no pass away.
Comment by The Dust Thursday, Jul 16, 20 @ 2:53 pm
There is not clear guidance yet for HVAC systems in multi-unit residential buildings. More is needed from the CDC, the state, and/or the City of Chicago.
Comment by Keyrock Thursday, Jul 16, 20 @ 3:03 pm
25% bump from a week ago in cases. 25% bump from a week ago in deaths. I’m too lazy to do a 7 day total. can someone help?
Comment by Rising Tide Thursday, Jul 16, 20 @ 3:03 pm
==Cumberland County==
Right in the middle of future Sen. Bailey’s district. But he thinks it’s a hoax.
Comment by Token Conservative Thursday, Jul 16, 20 @ 3:05 pm
Numbers are going to keep going up. They will skyrocket in late August/early September after we cram hundreds of children and staff into every school in the state.
Comment by brickle Thursday, Jul 16, 20 @ 3:07 pm
I calculated a 2.9 positive rate for today, despite the high number of cases. Those positives came from over 45,000 tests. I think the highest daily number yet.
Comment by Rachel Thursday, Jul 16, 20 @ 3:08 pm
Is the IDPH website not working for anyone else?
Comment by Going to the Bar Tonight Thursday, Jul 16, 20 @ 3:14 pm
Jasper County, an epicenter in April-May, had exactly one new case in all of June.
Comment by Downstate Thursday, Jul 16, 20 @ 3:18 pm
==Is the IDPH website not working for anyone else?==
Works fine when I enable JavaScript.
Comment by Bigtwich Thursday, Jul 16, 20 @ 3:23 pm
Even if all schools went remote this fall, we would need to be focused on getting this under better control now before people have to retreat indoors 24/7 through Winter and flu season.
It’s not enough to say “hey we’re not as bad as those guys down in Florida.” We should be stricter with our loose ends now and “plan for famine” for tomorrow.
Comment by Served Thursday, Jul 16, 20 @ 3:29 pm
From July 10 to July 16, there were 133 Covid deaths in Illinois. From July 3 to July 9, there were 133 Covid deaths in Illinois. That is not a 25% increase.
Comment by ajjacksson Thursday, Jul 16, 20 @ 3:30 pm
==I’m still troubled by the financial incentive that hospitals have to classify a death as Covid related.==
Is there any actual journalistic evidence to this? So far, I’ve only seen it from loon facebook comments.
Comment by Token Conservative Thursday, Jul 16, 20 @ 3:44 pm
43,000 tests in last 24hrs. Testing is not only reason for increase but it is a factor.
Comment by Willie Thursday, Jul 16, 20 @ 3:47 pm
–Is there any actual journalistic evidence to this
Via the American Hospital Association web site:
“Among other health care-related provisions, the package:….
Creates a Medicare add-on payment of 20% for both rural and urban inpatient hospital COVID-19 patients;”
https://www.aha.org/special-bulletin/2020-03-26-senate-passes-coronavirus-aid-relief-and-economic-security-cares-act
Comment by Downstate Thursday, Jul 16, 20 @ 3:52 pm
Chicago was doing pretty good. I was dismayed at a park today, full of children, few protected. Having a 3rd grader, I couldn’t imagine him staying home any longer. It is going to be very tough administrating children this coming year.
Comment by Southwest Sider Thursday, Jul 16, 20 @ 8:53 pm
Took a friend for a presurgical Covid test Monday. Got the result by Wednesday procedure. The nasal swab made her nose bleed. Still waiting for those U of I saliva tests to be available.
Comment by Mugwump Thursday, Jul 16, 20 @ 9:30 pm
I mean you have to be blind to not see that this winter is going to be possibly the hardest thing humans species has ever gone through(at least in last couple of hundred years)
Good luck everyone. I feel like if we were in a marathon were only at about 5k into it.
Comment by The Dude Friday, Jul 17, 20 @ 5:31 am