Gov. J.B. Pritzker has once again announced a mask mandate for Illinois on Thursday, citing that the state is "running out of time as our hospitals run out of beds."
Meanwhile, the state continues to cope with its biggest surge in COVID cases since last fall.
Here's what you need to know about the coronavirus pandemic across Illinois today:
Coronavirus in Illinois: 25,636 New COVID Cases, 176 Deaths, 168K Vaccinations in the Past Week
Illinois health officials on Friday reported 25,636 new COVID-19 cases in the past week, along with 176 additional deaths and over 168,000 new vaccine doses administered as the state continues to see a surge fueled by the delta variant.
The state’s seven-day positivity rate on all tests dropped to 5.7% from 6.1% last week, which was up from 5.9% the week before, officials said. The rolling average seven-day positivity rate for cases as a percentage of total tests decreased slightly to 5.2% from 5.3% the week before, which was up from 5.1% two weeks prior.
More than 13.9 million vaccine doses have been administered in Illinois since vaccinations began in December. More than 61% of adult residents in the state are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, with more than 78% receiving at least one dose.
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As of midnight Thursday, 2,240 patients were hospitalized due to COVID in the state. Of those patients, 500 are in ICU beds, and 253 are on ventilators. All metrics are a reported increase since last Friday.
Read more here.
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$1M Illinois Vaccine Lottery Winners Chosen in Final Drawing
Two winners were chosen this week during the grand finale $1 million drawing of Illinois' COVID vaccine lottery.
The winners, located in Bloomington and Rolling Meadows, will be notified by the Illinois Department of Public Health by phone or email. Each will be awarded a $1 million cash prize.
In addition, 17 winners were chosen for $150,000 scholarships, in Algonquin, Alton, Aurora, Buffalo Grove, Chicago, Cook County, Douglas County, Hancock County, Joliet, Kendall County, two in Lake County, McHenry County, Peoria County and two in Rockford.
"Illinoisans from those cities and counties should keep their phones on and check their emails regularly to find out if they’ve won," IDPH said in a statement.
Read more here.
Kanye West ‘Donda' Attendees Should Monitor For COVID Symptoms, Get Tested: CDPH
Those who attended the "listening experience" of Chicago native Kanye West's newest album "Donda" at Soldier Field should look out for COVID symptoms and get tested if necessary, the Chicago Department of Public Health recommends.
"For those attending the Donda Listening Party, another summer festival, or large gathering, the City of Chicago and the Chicago Department of Public Health recommend attendees monitor for COVID-19 symptoms after events," CDPH said in a statement, "and if symptoms develop, individuals should stay home and get tested even if vaccinated."
Just under 40,000 fans were allowed inside of Soldier Field, but unlike Lollapalooza and several other large-scale shows, fans didn’t have to show proof of a negative COVID test or proof that they had been vaccinated against the virus.
Read more here.
Coronavirus by the Numbers: Illinois Cases at Highest Levels Since Jan., Deaths Also Up Significantly
As Illinois announces new coronavirus mitigation strategies, the state continues to cope with its biggest surge in COVID cases since last fall, along with rapidly increasing hospitalizations and deaths across the state because of the virus.
According to the latest figures released by the Illinois Department of Public Health, the state recorded 4,041 new confirmed and probable cases of COVID-19 over the last 24 hours. That marks the fourth time in the last seven days that the state has hit that 4,000 daily case milestone, a number the state had previously only hit twice since the end of a surge in cases in late January.
What to Know About Illinois' New Mask Mandate and Vaccine Requirement
Gov. J.B. Pritzker has once again announced a mask mandate for Illinois on Thursday, citing that the state is "running out of time as our hospitals run out of beds."
In the same announcement, the governor also issued a vaccine requirement for health care workers, teachers and students statewide.
Where's The Money? Millions of Illinois Rental Assistance Dollars Still Waiting To Be Disbursed
It is supposed to be a lifeline: more than a billion dollars in federal rental and utility assistance funds earmarked by Congress for Americans hit hardest by the pandemic.
Illinois received a decent chunk of those funds: more than $800 million.
But records obtained by NBC 5 Responds show much of the state’s funding still sits in an account -- not yet disbursed -- all while the cloud of uncertainty over how long eviction moratoriums will last lies overhead for fearful tenants.
Businesses, Customers Navigate Another Illinois Mask Mandate
A statewide mask mandate will be reinstated on Monday, according to Gov. J.B. Pritzker. This time, both unvaccinated and vaccinated Illinoisans will be required to wear a mask indoors.
Like the first mask mandate during the height of the coronavirus pandemic, not everyone is on board with the mitigations. Some are boycotting businesses that follow the executive order.
COVID Vaccines Mandated for Illinois Teachers, Healthcare Workers, Higher Ed Students
Healthcare workers, teachers and higher education students will be required to receive the coronavirus vaccine in Illinois, Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced Thursday.
In a move he said was aimed at lowering the number of breakthrough cases and hospital admissions, the governor said the following workers will be required to receive the vaccine:
- Healthcare workers, including workers at public and private nursing homes
- Teachers and staff at pre-k-12 schools
- Personnel and students at higher education institutions
Workers or students in those groups will need to receive the first dose of a two-dose vaccination series or a single-dose vaccination by Sept. 5, 2021. Second doses of the vaccine must be received by 30 days after the first dose, according to the state requirement.
Those who do not receive the vaccine or opt out for medical reasons or a religious exemption must follow a testing schedule laid out by the state. Testing will be required once a week in schools and healthcare facilities, but that requirement could increase in some cases, such as outbreaks.
Illinois Mask Mandate: Gov. Pritzker Announces Indoor Mask Requirement for State
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker has reinstated a mask mandate for the state, requiring masks indoors for residents as he says the state is "running out of time as our hospitals run out of beds."
The new indoor mask mandate, similar to mandates already handed down in Cook County and Chicago, will begin Monday and require facial coverings in indoor settings, regardless of COVID vaccination status.
"Illinois will join several other states that have reinstituted statewide indoor mask requirements, regardless of vaccination status, effective on Monday," Pritzker said. "Masks work. Period."
