Coronavirus in Illinois updates COVID-19 Illinois

Gov. J.B. Pritzker has issued a “stay-at-home” order for the entire state starting at 5 p.m. Saturday through at least April 7, marking Illinois’ most aggressive step yet to try to slow the coronavirus’s spread.

A dramatic-sounding move, to be sure, but one that largely codifies the previous recommendations and rules issued by state officials. Pritzker said his latest decision was based on conversations with “some of the best medical experts, epidemiologists, mathematicians and modelers.”

He announced the change on Friday afternoon, as Illinois reached 585 confirmed cases across 25 counties, including 163 new cases. The death toll has risen to five, as officials announced a Cook County woman in her 70s had died from Chicago COVID-19.

“I’ve asked every one of these experts, 'What action can I take to save the most lives?’” the governor said. “Well, they’ve come back to me with one inescapable conclusion: To avoid the loss of potentially tens of thousands of lives, we must enact an immediate stay-at-home order for the state of Illinois.”

 

Gov. Pritzker issued a stay-at-home order. What does that mean

 

The the directive prohibits any gathering larger than 10 people, in keeping with the latest Chicago News recommendation from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It also bars residents from socializing in-person with people outside their household, meaning even small parties and casual get-togethers should not take place. Chicago Medical News

 

The latest Illinois police departments grapple with the enforcement of stay-at-home order: ‘Let’s not make it a public safety crisis’.

Playgrounds will be closed, though each community will decide whether green space will remain open for recreational use. Illinois has shut down its state parks. All Chicago Park District facilities will be closed, but people can still enjoy the open spaces as long as they maintain a social distance of 6 feet. Chicago Distribution News

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