Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker ordered gatherings of 50 or more people to be canceled as 12 new coronavirus cases were announced Monday, bringing the total to 105 cases statewide.
The ban comes following guidelines issued Sunday evening by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), who recommended gatherings of 50 people or more be canceled. The CDC now recommends gatherings of no more than 10 people.
The Illinois Department of Public Health said there were 12 new COVID-19 cases as of Monday.
Two additional counties are now reporting cases — Peoria and Will counties. Other locations with cases include Chicago and Champaign, Clinton, Cook, Cumberland, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, Sangamon, St. Clair, Whiteside, Winnebago, and Woodford counties.
At least 3 Lake County residents and 2 McHenry County residents are included in the 105 total cases.
Cases have occurred in all age ranges and the number of cases that do not have a clear connection to travel or a known COVID-19 case is increasing, health officials said.
IDPH Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike said Monday that not everyone with symptoms should be tested.
“However, not everyone who has respiratory symptoms like cough and shortness of breath needs to be tested. Similarly, not everyone who is infected with novel coronavirus needs medical treatment,” Ezike said.
“We want to make sure those at higher risk of severe illness are prioritized for testing and that they can receive the medical care they need. We ask those who have mild symptoms to stay home so the health care system is not overwhelmed,” Ezike added.
On Sunday, Pritzker ordered all restaurants and bars to be closed to dine-in customers from Monday at 9 p.m. until March 30. Restaurants will still be open for pick-up and delivery of food.
“Social distancing measures, such as working from home, limiting the amount of time spent in the community, and trying to avoid public transportation as much as possible, will help reduce the number of people who become sick at any given time and the possibility of exhausting our health care resources,” health officials said in a statement.
Health officials say that COVID-19 illness is mild but older people and those with severe chronic medical conditions are at higher risk of developing serious illness.
The number of cases in the United States has reached nearly 3,500 and 68 deaths have been reported, according to the CDC.