Illinois now has 1,285 coronavirus cases and 12 deaths as Gov. J.B. Pritzker announces the state has partnered with manufacturers to increase production of medical supplies.
The three new deaths announced Monday include two Cook County men in their 80s and a Cook County man in his 90s. The number of cases, which have occurred in ages younger than 1 to 99, has risen by 236 since Sunday.
Governor J.B. Pritzker said at his Monday press conference that manufacturers are teaming up with the state to increase production of important things like N95 masks, surgical masks, gloves, personal protection kits, and meals ready to eat.
Pritzker also said that they have only received a fraction of those products from the federal government despite several requests.
Illinois National Guard Brigadier General Richard Neely said that his members were assisting at testing sites, distributing shipments of medical products and doing hospital assessments around the state.
Illinois Department of Public Health Director Ngozi Ezike urged people to continue practicing social distancing as COVID-19 is passed through droplets when someone coughs or sneezes.
The majority of cases are in Cook County, followed by Lake and DuPage counties. Over 9,800 people have been tested in Illinois so far.
The Illinois Department of Public Health is encouraging surgery centers, veterinarians, and anyone with unused personal protective equipment that is not immediately needed to donate it to assist medical facilities that are on the front line responding to COVID-19.
Pritzker’s ‘stay at home’ order, which was announced on Friday, remains in place throughout Illinois until April 7.
For personal protective equipment donations, email [email protected]. Residents with general questions about COVID-19 can call the state’s hotline at 800-889-3931.