Illinois reports 296 new cases of coronavirus as state total tops 1,000
The Illinois Department of Public Health reported 296 new cases of coronavirus and three deaths on Sunday. The latest report also includes news that one of the new cases involves an infant.
The deaths included a Cook County man in his 80s, a Chicago man in his 80s, and a McLean County woman in her 70s. Currently, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is reporting a total of 1,049 cases in 30 counties. The ages range from younger than one to 99 years old.
“At this time, it is still unknown if a pregnant woman with COVID-19 can pass the virus to her fetus or baby during pregnancy or delivery. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, no infants born to mothers with COVID-19 have tested positive for the COVID-19 virus. In these cases, which are a small number, the virus was not found in samples of amniotic fluid or breastmilk,” IDPH says.
Yesterday, Illinois reported 168 new cases, including the death of a Cook County man in his 70s. The number of new cases almost doubled in one day as testing in the state ramps up.
Meanwhile, healthcare workers in the state are struggling with a shortage of personal protective equipment, including N95 masks, gowns, and gloves. IDPH issued guidance limiting non-essential elective surgery and medical procedures, including dental procedures. The state health agency is asking surgery centers, veterinarians, and anyone with unused PPE to donate it to first responders.
