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1,384 new cases, 22 additional deaths, 3.0 percent average positivity rate

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Illinois

* Press release…

The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) today announced 1,384 new confirmed cases of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Illinois, including 22 additional confirmed deaths.

Community based and mobile testing sites have increased access to COVID-19 testing throughout the state, resulting in over 40,000 specimens tested for the second consecutive day. Mobile testing sites will continue to visit counties in Illinois to ensure all residents have access to COVID-19 testing in their communities.

Cook County – 1 female 30s, 1 female 50s, 1 male 50s, 3 males 60s, 1 male 70s, 1 female 80s, 3 males 80s, 2 females 90s, 1 male 90s
DeKalb County – 1 female 80s
DuPage County – 1 male 60s, 1 female 80s
LaSalle County – 1 male 60s
McHenry County – 1 female 50s, 1 female 100+
St. Clair County – 1 female 50s
Woodford County – 1 male 60s

Currently, IDPH is reporting a total of 159,334 cases, including 7,272 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 43,692 specimens for a total of 2,166,299. The preliminary seven-day statewide positivity for cases as a percent of total test from July 10–July 16 is 3.0%. As of last night, 1,431 people in Illinois were reported to be in the hospital with COVID-19. Of those, 309 patients were in the ICU and 128 patients with COVID-19 were on ventilators.

* It’s about time that Mayor Langfelder started taking this seriously…

Amid an uptick in positive COVID-19 cases reported in Sangamon County, Springfield Mayor Jim Langfelder said he likely will sign an executive order Friday meant to escalate enforcement of social distancing guidelines and indoor seating limits in bars and restaurants.

According to a draft of the order, bars and restaurants not in compliance with the state’s Phase 4 guidelines will be given a verbal warning to comply. No immediate compliance can result in a $500 fine. A second violation would also result in a $500 fine.

The third violation would likely result in the temporary suspension of the establishment’s liquor license.

The order will rely largely on the broad authority Langfelder holds as the city’s liquor commissioner to regulate the conduct of liquor license holders.

* Sun-Times live blog…

How coronavirus will reshape the upcoming school year

6 key questions about buying a car during the pandemic

COVID-19 claims one of Chicago’s ‘Fighting O’Shea Brothers’

CDC extends US ban on cruise ships through September

List of national retail chains requiring face masks keeps expanding

Pandemic shows the need for an American manufacturing revival that Chicago could lead

Yoan Moncada rejoins White Sox after testing positive for coronavirus.

Once kids go back to school, it’s mask up or go home

* Southern Illinois…

Hundreds of people who attended recent events in Clinton County have been exposed to the coronavirus, the health department said Friday.

Officials believe the virus is widespread in all parts of the county now. And they are worried it could lead to restrictions again after bars, restaurants and other businesses reopened three weeks ago, Clinton County Health Department Administrator Sean Eifert stated in a news release about the situation. […]

The health department said only that the exposure to the virus happened at “several recent large group events” where people were observed not following experts’ recommendations to prevent the virus from spreading, such as wearing face coverings and keeping a distance of at least 6 feet between themselves.

There have also been “numerous social events” that exceeded the state’s 50-person limit, according to the health department.

* Tribune live blog…

Evanston high school district announces students will not attend fall classes in person, reversing earlier statement

Coronavirus mask donations dwindle. Group puts out call for more face coverings for new moms.

Chicago Public Schools proposes hybrid of online and in-person classes for fall, despite union opposition

Gov. J.B. Pritzker takes unusual step of filing a lawsuit to ensure school children wear face coverings

What is herd immunity? And how do we get there on COVID-19?

Abbott earnings top expectations, with $615M in sales from COVID-19 testing

posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Jul 17, 20 @ 2:41 pm

Comments

I don’t think it starts until Monday, but I went to Wal-Mart at lunch and everyone I saw was wearing a mask. That has not been the case earlier in the week.

Comment by pool boy Friday, Jul 17, 20 @ 3:00 pm
Already well over 1k/day

Schools are going to be horrendous.

Comment by brickle Friday, Jul 17, 20 @ 3:06 pm
-pool boy-

My wife went to a Walmart yesterday in Bailey’s district and said mask use was about 50/50. Go figure…

Comment by Cubs in '16 Friday, Jul 17, 20 @ 3:07 pm
If you do Facebook, read the comments section of the DeWitt-Piatt Bi-County Health Department’s page to see a game of “Pass the Virus”. It’s unreal…

https://www.facebook.com/dewittpiatthealth/posts/3377634128914455?__tn__=-R

Comment by Anon221 Friday, Jul 17, 20 @ 3:58 pm
From that page:

Part 1-

DeWitt Piatt Bi-County Health Department All: Legal authority for the enforcement of these orders falls on the county State’s Attorneys Office and NOT on the Health Department. The State’s Attorneys in both counties of our service area have stated publicly that they will not enforce these orders.

Part II-

DeWitt Piatt Bi-County Health Department I’m sorry everyone, I havent kept track of this discussion over the day. We are so busy!
You must understand, there are differences w state laws pertaining to the IL state food code, and the Executive Orders. The States Attorneys are not enforcing executive orders. From what I understand, the orders are not laws because they are not adopted legislatively. So masking is really dictated primarily by management of the facilities you frequent. If you see something, educate the management! That’s what we do. I wont go to places that don’t enforce masking.

Comment by Anon221 Friday, Jul 17, 20 @ 4:01 pm
==I don’t think it starts until Monday, but I went to Wal-Mart at lunch and everyone I saw was wearing a mask. ==

Why didn’t they start mandatory masks immediately as of the day the new policy was announced (Wednesday?), rather than waiting until Monday? I’m sure this weekend will be a living hell there, of Covidiots trying to shop before they have to start wearing masks. And the likely new cases from the big Walmart shopping sprees this weekend. I feel sorry for those working there this weekend, including loved ones of mine.

Comment by Chatham Resident Friday, Jul 17, 20 @ 4:03 pm
Regarding achieving herd immunity, I really appreciated Mississippi’s governor Reeves using mathematics to illustrate the toll it would put on hospitals and masks are a better alternative. (He made his point without discussing lose of life that goes along with it.) See https://www.cnn.com/2020/07/15/politics/tate-reeves-mississippi-coronavirus-herd-immunity/index.html

Comment by Cricket Friday, Jul 17, 20 @ 4:10 pm
Already well over 1k/day - Schools are going to be horrendous.

the IDPH age stats are somewhat limited - but those under 20 account for only 11% of the 159,334 confirmed cases. And thankfully less than 1% of deaths.

https://www.dph.illinois.gov/covid19/covid19-statistics

Comment by Donnie Elgin Friday, Jul 17, 20 @ 4:25 pm