54 more die in Illinois of COVID-19 — and one new projection shows peak could hit 300 a day

Gov. J.B. Pritzker delivers his daily briefing from his Gold Coast home on Monday. | Screen image.

Another 54 people have died of COVID-19 in Illinois, officials said Monday, as Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s administration planned to release new projections that show the state could remain in a peak period of 50 to 150 deaths a day into early June — or as one university suggests, up to 300 lives lost each day into July.

Pritzker on Monday afternoon planned to broadcast his briefing live for the first time in his Chicago home after a senior staffer tested positive for coronavirus. The governor himself has tested negative for coronavirus.

In total, 3,459 people have died of coronavirus in Illinois. The state also reported 1,266 new cases, bringing the total of positive cases to 79,007. The state received 12,441 tests results.

The positivity rate statewide as of Monday is 10.17%. In the Northeast region, which includes Cook County and Chicago, the positivity rate is about 22%.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker delivers his daily briefing from his Gold Coast home on Monday.

The number of COVID-19 patients entering ICU beds went up by 16, from Saturday to Sunday night, according to Pritzker’s office. The number of ventilators being used by coronavirus patients also increased by 21, and the total number of COVID-19 patients increased by 26 patients.

Pritzker on Monday planned to outline regional data about hospitalization and the virus’ spread. His administration also planned to release an updated model by researchers from Northwestern University, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and the University Chicago.

The latest projection shows Illinois is in a death peak, which is less like a peak and more like a plateau. The death range is between 50 and 150 deaths a day into early June for both University of Chicago and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Northwestern University, however, has estimated a range of 50 to 300 deaths that could last until July, according to Pritzker spokeswoman Jordan Abudayyeh.

Dr. Ngozi Ezike, director of the Illinois Public Health Department, speaks during the daily briefing Monday.

There are differences of opinions on the rate of decline, as well. The Urbana-Champaign and Northwestern researchers believe deaths could begin decreasing by the end of May into June, although the Northwestern model shows a slower rate of decline. The University of Chicago researchers believe Illinois will remain on a death plateau until July.

Meanwhile, Pritzker’s administration said the state has not yet receive a shipment of swabs and viral transport media from the federal government. That shipment was anticipated in early May but may arrive on Monday.