The Illinois Department of Public Health reported 1,585 new cases of COVID-19 in the state in Saturday’s daily update, including 125 additional deaths. The state totals are 29,160 cases with 1,259 deaths. Illinois Director of Public Health Dr. Ngozi Ezike said the rate of growth appears to be slowing but it’s too early to determine a definite trend.
Gov. JB Pritzker gave no timeline on the possible lifting of the stay-at-home order. Pritzker also gave no indication when asked about considering lifting of stay-at-home restrictions on a county-by-county basis, saying the ascent rate of cases in rural counties has in some areas been higher than urban areas. Pritzker would also not commit to opening parks. The governor said the peak has not yet arrived. Pritzker said he wants to remove the restrictions as quickly as possible but he will base his decisions on science.
