Another 2,388 people have tested positive for the coronavirus in Illinois, sending the state’s case tally over six figures to 100,418, state health officials said Wednesday.
Most of those patients have recovered, but in Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s latest pandemic update, officials reported an additional 147 deaths attributed to COVID-19. That raises the state’s death toll to 4,525 in just over two months since Illinois’ first COVID-19 fatality was confirmed.
Almost half those deaths have occurred in May alone, as the state weathers what Pritzker has said is likely the peak of the outbreak’s impact on Illinois. Wednesday marked the 20th day with officials reporting 100 or more daily coronavirus deaths.
Still, after saying he’s optimistic about the way the state is trending, Pritzker’s office announced bars and restaurants will be allowed to reopen with limited outdoor seating and smaller capacities when his extended stay-at-home order expires at the end of the month.
“We are by no means out of the woods, but directionally, things are getting better,” Pritzker said. “And because of these advances, we are able to make some modifications to allow more activity during Phase 3 of our reopening plan.”
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That announcement comes as all four regions of the state continued hitting health care benchmarks set by Pritzker’s administration as part of his five-phase plan to gradually reopen the state.
The Northeast region that includes Chicago once again hit those coronavirus testing and hospitalization targets, marking a full week that it has gotten — and stayed — on track to join the rest of the state in advancing to Pritzker’s third reopening phase when his extended stay-at-home order expires May 29. That would allow many “non-essential” businesses to resume limited operations.
And it now goes for the restaurant industry, too, which had been ground to a halt by the shutdown. Pritzker’s office said they’ll be allowed to reopen for outdoor dining only, with tables spaced and no large groups allowed.
Restaurants previously weren’t expected to be allowed to reopen until the fourth phase of Pritzker’s “Restore Illinois” plan.
Also in the adjusted reopening plan, all state parks will reopen May 29. Golf courses will be allowed to host foursomes with cars limited to one person or one immediate household. Indoor and outdoor tennis facilities will be able to reopen with precautions and capacity limits in place. And up to 10 people will be allowed to boat or camp together.
Additionally, health clubs and gyms can resume one-on-one personal training indoors, and outdoor fitness classes of 10 people or fewer.
And while nail salons and barbershops will be able to reopen with precautions in place as allowed under Pritzker’s original plan, all retail stores will be able to reopen at limited capacities.
Local governments still can retain “establish stricter restrictions in any areas,” according to Pritzker’s office.
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The Democratic governor said Tuesday he was “optimistic that we are falling from a peak.
“However, I want to point out that if you look at all the metrics, they’re not all headed straight down. Some of them have sort of flattened, they’re floating, a little bit off their peak. … I’ll just say, I am optimistic,” Pritzker said.
“It feels good. It’s the right direction, but be clear that when you’re looking at these metrics, a lot of them are affected by things that have happened days ago, weeks ago.”
Still, Pritzker’s order faces a series of legal challenges, while his reopening plan was on the minds of his allies and opponents in the General Assembly as state lawmakers gathered for session in Springfield Wednesday for the first time since the brunt of the crisis hit.
Lawmakers plan to take up heavy legislation over the next three days, including an appropriations measure, an elections package that would expand vote-by-mail and a COVID-19 aid package.
Contributing: Tina Sfondeles
