CHICAGO _ Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced Sunday that all bars and restaurants in the state of Illinois will be closed to the public, beginning at close of business Monday through Monday, March 30. They will remain open for pick-up and delivery orders, the governor said.
The Illinois Department of Public Health also announced 29 new cases of coronavirus disease across Illinois. Five additional counties are now reporting cases _ Champaign, Clinton, Sangamon, Whiteside, and Winnebago counties. Other locations with cases include Chicago and Cook, Cumberland, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, St. Clair, and Woodford counties.
"We are seeing the number of COVID-19 cases increase exponentially and in more locations across Illinois," said health department Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike said. "At this point, it is best to assume that the coronavirus is circulating in your community and you should take the same precautions when interacting with other people that you would when interacting with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19."
Currently, the health department is reporting 93 cases in 13 counties in Illinois. Cases have occurred in all age ranges and the number of cases that do not have a clear connection to travel or a known COVID-19 case is increasing.
