Officials on Friday said another 108 people have died from the coronavirus in Illinois, as the state recorded both the highest number of new cases and highest number of test results.
With 108 additional deaths, the state has lost 1,795 to COVID-19. Another 2,724 people tested positive for the virus, but the state received 16,124 test results Thursday — a record high for the state’s testing capacity, according to Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s office.
In total, there have been 39,658 confirmed cases of the coronavirus in Illinois, with more than 186,000 tests performed. Pritzker has said his goal is to run 10,000 tests a day.
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Pritzker’s office said hospitalization numbers remain level, a key indicator that the virus’ spread may be slowing down. The number of deaths, however, indicates the state is experiencing its peak in terms of fatalities, officials said.
Pritzker on Thursday announced an extension of the state’s stay-at-home order until the end of May. The governor plans to sign that executive order next week, including some loosening of regulations for state parks and golf courses. It will also allow businesses not deemed “essential” to sell products online, for carryout or delivery. Some elective surgeries will also be allowed.
It will also include a requirement for people to wear a face covering or a mask when in a public place where they can’t maintain a 6-foot social distance beginning May 1.
The Democratic governor also produced some projections on Thursday, while standing alongside two state researchers who have helped the state with its coronavirus modeling. Both warned that a return back to normal life would hinder the state’s efforts to further contain the spread of the deadly virus.
