Coronavirus In Illinois: What You Need To Know For March 13

ILLINOIS — As the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases nationwide surpassed 1,700, all large events have been banned in Illinois, and some suburban school districts have shuttered their campuses through spring break to reduce the spread of the of the new coronavirus.

Friday evening, the Illinois Gaming Board ordered all of the state's casinos to close on Monday for 14 days.

In Illinois, there were at least 32 confirmed cases of COVID-19 as of Thursday evening, and no one in the state had died of the virus. About a third of the Illinois cases are related to travel, and half are connected to close contact with a confirmed case, according to Dr. Ngozi Ezike, director of the Illinois Department of Public Health. But that still leaves a handful that were likely the result of community spread of the virus.

Friday morning, the federal government joined dozens of states in issuing an emergency declaration and announcing steps to increase availability of coronavirus testing. The announcement comes a day after public health experts said testing delays mean the virus has likely already spread far wider than government officials have confirmed, according to the Associated Press.

Illinois Coronavirus Cancellation,Closure List

Don't miss local and statewide news about coronavirus developments and precautions. Sign up for Patch alerts and daily newsletters.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Illinois Department of Public Health have recommended local authorities reconsider non-essential gatherings of large groups of people to minimize the spread of COVID-19, the respiratory disease caused by the novel strain of the coronavirus first identified in China last year.

In addition to school closures, many local libraries, park district facilities and senior centers have announced plans to cancel programming or restrict public access. Senior citizens, along with people with pre-existing health conditions and weakened immune systems, are most at risk of developing a severe case of COVID-19, and have been asked to avoid gatherings of more than 10 people at a time.

The Illinois High School Association has also canceled all other winter state tournament events, including the state basketball finals — the first tournament to be dubbed "March Madness" — which were canceled for the first time in their 112-year history.

One event that authorities do not plan to cancel is the March 17 presidential primary election. Cook County election officials have extended early voting hours to run from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday, Sunday and Monday ahead of Election Day.

Here's what's happening with coronavirus in Illinois:

All Illinois Schools Closed Due To Coronavirus Outbreak

Governor orders all public and private schools across the state to close starting Tuesday and continuing through March 30.

No Professional Sports In Chicago Until May, No Events Over 250 People

Pritzker pushed for the suspension of all major sporting events in Chicago, but said schools are not closing and the election will happen.

Coronavirus Hits South Side; St. Margaret Student Tests Positive

A student at St. Margaret of Scotland School has the first confirmed case of coronavirus on the South Side of Chicago.

Early Voting Hours Extended, 94 Precincts Without Polling Places

Chicago Election officials have extended weekend early voting hours; 94 precincts without polling places due to COVID-19 concerns.

COVID-19 Forces IHSA To Cancel Basketball Tourney, Other Events

The Illinois High School Association announced the cancellation of postseason boys' basketball and other high school events.

Antique Flea Market At Lake Co. Fairgrounds Cancelled

Lake County Fairgrounds employees are working with vendors to determine whether to cancel future events.

Long Lines, High Demand For Items At Sam's Club, Costco

A line formed before the Costco in Orland opened Thursday. Later on, many items were already gone from the aisles at Sam's Club in Tinley.

Field Trips Canceled At D230 Schools, E-Learning Days Possible

Coronavirus concerns have led to the cancellation of all extracurricular events at District 230 schools through the end of Spring Break.

Coronavirus Precautions In Lemont: Catholic Schools Closing

SS. Cyril and Methodius School and St. Alphonsus/St. Patrick School will be closed starting Monday.

Evanston Schools Close To Combat Coronavirus Spread

Evanston Township High School and District 65 schools are implementing to an e-learning plan until after spring break, which ends April 12.

Coronavirus Closures: New Trier Area Schools Shift To E-Learning

Class is canceled Friday, and remote learning begins Monday at New Trier High School and Districts 36, 37, 38, and 39, administrators said.

Lake Forest Schools Close To Limit Spread Of Coronavirus

Classes are canceled Friday and e-learning is scheduled until April 5 at public schools in Lake Forest.

Coronavirus: What Metra, CTA Are Doing To Prevent Spread

Metra and CTA announced Thursday the steps being taken in response to the potential spread of coronavirus.

Who has been diagnosed with coronavirus in Illinois?

Total number of presumptive cases in Illinois: 32

• Cases 1 and 2: A Chicago couple in their 60s; since recovered
• Cases 3 and 4: A suburban Cook County couple in their 70s; in home isolation
• Case 5: Man in his 20s who traveled to Italy; released from hospital and in home isolation
• Case 6: Chicago woman in her 50s who was on a Grand Princess cruise; hospitalized in isolation in stable condition
• Case 7: A Chicago man in his 70s who is believed to be the first case of community exposure; he is in serious condition
• Cases 8 and 9: Two women — one in her 50s and one in her 70s — who are related to the 6th patient; they are in good condition
• Case 10: A California woman visiting Illinois; she is in good condition
• Case 11: A woman in her 70s who recently returned from an Egyptian cruise; she is in good condition
• Case 12: A case was confirmed in Kane County in a woman in her 60s; in good condition in isolation
• Case 13: A case was confirmed in McHenry County in a man in his late teens; in good condition in isolation
• Cases 14-19
  • Cook County
    • Man in his 70s; in good condition
    • Woman in her 60s; in good condition
    • Woman in her 40s; in good condition
    • Man in his 40s; in good condition
  • Chicago:
    • Man in his 40s; in good condition
    • Man in his 40s; in good condition
• Cases 20-25:
  • Lake County
    • Man in his 50s
  • Chicago and Cook County
    • Man in his 80s
    • Two men in their 70s
    • A woman in her 50s
    • A man in his 40s
• Case 26-27
  • A Chicago woman in her 40s
  • A Chicago child
• Case 28: A Kane County man in his 70s
• Case 29: A McHenry County man in his 60s
• Cases 30-32
  • Two Cook County women in their 70s
  • A Cook County man in his 50s
• Cases 33-42
  • nine Chicago residents
  • four suburban Cook County residents
  • one Lake County resident
  • The 14 range in age from their 20s to 90s

Nationwide numbers: 1,323 cases in the U.S. and 38 deaths (30 in Washington state, four in California, two in Florida, one in New Jersey and one in South Dakota.)

Latest global and U.S. confirmed cases and deaths from Johns Hopkins.

Tips from the CDC on dealing with coronavirus

While the best way to prevent illness is to avoid virus exposure, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention generally recommends taking these actions to prevent the spread of viruses:

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipes.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom, before eating, and after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing.

What to do if you're sick

Call head if you're planning to visit your doctor: If you have a medical appointment, call the healthcare provider and tell them that you have or may have COVID-19. This will help the healthcare provider’s office take steps to keep other people from getting infected or exposed

Stay home unless you must see a doctor:

• Stay home: People who are mildly ill with COVID-19 are able to isolate at home during their illness. You should restrict activities outside your home, except for getting medical care.
• Avoid public areas: Do not go to work, school, or public areas.
• Avoid public transportation: Avoid using public transportation, ride-sharing, or taxis.

Separate yourself from other people and animals in your home:

• Stay away from others: As much as possible, you should stay in a specific room and away from other people in your home. Also, you should use a separate bathroom, if available.
• Limit contact with pets & animals: You should restrict contact with pets and other animals while you are sick with COVID-19, just like you would around other people. Although there have not been reports of pets or other animals becoming sick with COVID-19, it is still recommended that people sick with COVID-19 limit contact with animals until more information is known about the virus.
• When possible, have another member of your household care for your animals while you are sick. If you are sick with COVID-19, avoid contact with your pet, including petting, snuggling, being kissed or licked and sharing food. If you must care for your pet or be around animals while you are sick, wash your hands before and after you interact with pets and wear a face mask. See COVID-19 and Animals for more information.

Avoid sharing personal household items

• Do not share: You should not share dishes, drinking glasses, cups, eating utensils, towels, or bedding with other people or pets in your home.
• Wash thoroughly after use: After using these items, they should be washed thoroughly with soap and water.

Masks

The CDC does not recommend that people who are well wear a face mask to protect themselves from respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19. You should only wear a mask if a health care professional recommends it. A face mask should be used by people who have COVID-19 and are showing symptoms. This is to protect others from the risk of infection. The use of face masks also is crucial for health workers and other people who are taking care of someone infected with COVID-19 in close settings (at home or in a health care facility).

Related:

• More Than 100 Monitored After Exposure To Coronavirus Patients
• Grand Princess Docks In Oakland; Passenger Quarantines Follow
• Expert Offers Common-Sense Reasons Not To Panic Over Coronavirus
• To Avoid Coronavirus, Americans Over 60 Should Hunker Down: CDC