The state’s daily COVID-19 update reported 3,137 new cases with 105 additional deaths for totals of 56,055 cases and 2,457 deaths. Laboratories in the state processed 14,821 tests for a total of 284,688.
Governor JB Pritzker announced a new contact tracing program to track those who COVID-19-positive residents may have encountered. Pritzker said a “perfect” budget has not been developed for the program, but estimated an $80 million cost using data from similar programs in other states.
Hundreds of protesters in Springfield and Chicago railed against the extension of the state’s stay-at-home order on the first day of the new restrictions. Rallies gathered in the noon hour in front of the state capitol and the James R. Thompson Center. Gov. Pritzker responded that no area of the state has reached the peak of the pandemic, but he will consider re-opening some regions after the peak if the number of cases declines enough to not endanger the capacity of that region’s medical facilities.
The Illinois Department of Transportation is helping the public show appreciation to truckers. IDOT announced Friday it is coordinating with groups that want to provide free food to truckers at some of the state’s weigh stations, including the Interstate 55 station near Williamsville. Interested groups can find information on schedules, locations and criteria at the IDOT website (idot.illinois.gov) or by emailing keith.donovan@illinois.gov.
HSHS St. John’s Hospital and several other facilities are urging residents not to delay trips to the emergency room. The hospital cites a recent study from the American College of Emergency Physicians showing emergency departments across the country are serving fewer patients, possibly out of patients’ fears of contracting COVID-19 or burdening a busy staff. St. John’s chief medical officer Dr. Gurpreet Mander says medical personnel are available and protocols and safety procedures are in place to prevent the spread of diseases.
Memorial Health System has offered virtual methods of connection between patients and loved ones during the COVID-19 pandemic. Memorial has made 110 iPads and iPhones available at its hospitals in Springfield, Decatur, Jacksonville, Taylorville and Lincoln. The devices are used for FaceTime calls while visiting hours are suspended.
