Illinois state officials said that coronavirus cases have increased by over a 1,000 with 33 new deaths in the past day.
The Illinois Department of Public Health said the state’s COVID-19 total has reached 12,262 cases and 307 deaths. The number of people tested so far is at 62,942, data shows.
So far, Illinois has received 367,700 N95 masks, 1,141,000 surgical masks, nearly 693,000 gloves, 174,000 face shields, 142,000 surgical gowns and 4,000 coveralls from the Strategic National Stockpile.
Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker said that is a “small fraction” of what is needed.
“If we had allowed upon the White House, our state, and nearly every state in the United States, would come up short and could not protect our health care workers and first responders. But here’s the good news, we haven’t trusted what we were told by the White House,” Pritzker said at his Monday press conference.
“We continue to source and ship as much PPE as we can from all over the world, bringing it to Illinois through whatever means necessary,” Pritzker said.
The state has ordered nearly 10 million N95 masks, over 14 million KN95 masks, 7 million surgical masks, over 19 million gloves, over 5 million face shields, over 3 million gowns and more.
“We have now lost hundreds of Illinoisans in the fight against COVID-19. Thousands of family members, loved ones, friends and neighbors are grieving,” Pritzker said.
On Sunday, Pritzker announced child care assistance for essential workers.
“We have essential workers and healthcare professionals who can’t stay home with their kids because they are heroically going out to do their jobs, which are vital for public safety and to make sure other families can get the food and gas and pharmacy goods they may need,” Pritzker said.
“Our essential workforce deserves to know their kids are safe and cared for in a small and affordable group setting,” he added.
Effective April 1, all essential workers in health care, human services, essential government services, and essential infrastructure now qualify for the state’s Child Care Assistance Program. The state will cover most of the cost of care provided by emergency child care centers and homes.
This expansion of eligibility includes those working as nurses and doctors, supporting staff in hospitals, grocery store clerks and food producers, the governor’s office said.
Illinois’ stay-at-home order remains in effect through April 30.