CHICAGO (WSIL) -- Health officials have announced the first death of an Illinois resident who tested positive for the new coronavirus COVID-19.
The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) says the patient was a Chicago woman in her 60s with underlying health issues who tested positive earlier this month.
"I am deeply saddened by the news that we've dreaded since the earliest days of this outbreak: the first COVID-19 related death in Illinois," said Governor JB Pritzker. "All of Illinois stands with this patient's family and loved ones in mourning her loss and honoring her memory. May her memory be a blessing. There are going to be moments during the next few weeks and months when this burden feels like it is more than we can bear � this is one of those moments, but we will get through this together.�
Health officials are reporting 160 cases in 15 counties in Illinois. Cases have occurred in ages 9 to 91.
This past weekend, IDPH announced a resident at a long-term care facility in DuPage County had tested positive for COVID-19. On Tuesday, officials confirmed an additional 21 cases at the facility, 17 residents and four staff.
“In addition to the death we are sad to report today, we are also reporting an outbreak of COVID-19 in a long-term care facility,� said IDPH Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike. “Residents in nursing homes are our most vulnerable population and we are doing everything we can to protect them. We may see cases in other long-term care facilities, which is why it is so important that we all do our part to reduce possible exposure in the community to those who go in and out of these facilities as they provide care to resident.�
The state has issued updated guidance for nursing homes, including:
� Restrict all visitation except for certain compassionate care situations, such as end of life residents
� Restrict all volunteers and non-essential health care personnel (e.g., barbers)
� Cancel all group activities and communal dining
� Implement active screening of residents and health care personnel for fever and respiratory symptoms
COVID-19 cases by county can be found on the . Counties currently reporting cases are Champaign, Clinton, Cook, Cumberland, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, Peoria, Sangamon, St. Clair, Whiteside, Winnebago, Will and Woodford counties.
