County-By-County Look At Coronavirus Cases

CHICAGO, IL — Health officials are urging residents to do their part in "flattening the curve" as the number of coronavirus cases and deaths continue to rise. As of April 8, 15,078 people across the state have tested positive for COVID-19 and 462 have died from the virus.

Illinois Coronavirus Update April 8: 15,078 Cases; 462 Deaths

The Illinois Department of Public Health has been updating its website every afternoon with a county-by-county breakdown of COVID-19 cases.

Here is a look at the latest:

In addition, the health department released more detailed data this past week that allows the public to look up the number of coronavirus cases by zip code.

Cases have continued to climb since the first case was reported in the state on Jan. 24 and Thursday marked the state’s highest jump in deaths over a 24-hour period to date. Yes

March 11 marked the first cases reported outside of Chicago and Cook County, according to state health officials. Those patients lived in Kane and McHenry counties.

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Meanwhile, state officials are urging residents to do their part in helping to "flatten the curve."

Older adults and people who have severe underlying medical conditions, such as heart, lung disease or diabetes, are most at risk for developing serious health complications or dying from COVID-19.
They are urged to stay home and away from people, according to the Center for Disease Control.

Even those who are young and healthy are at risk of contracting COVID-19 and spreading it to others, including those who are vulnerable to serious illness.

In addition, those who are not showing symptoms can still have the virus and pass it on to others, which makes social distancing, the practice of putting at least six feet between you and other people, so important, according to the CDC.

Health officials also encourage everyone to:

• Washing their hands often for at least 20 seconds
• If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry
• Everyone should wear a cloth face cover when they have to go out in public, for example to the grocery store or to pick up other necessities.
• Cloth face coverings should not be placed on young children under age 2, anyone who has trouble breathing, or is unconscious, incapacitated or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance.
• Continue to keep about 6 feet between yourself and others. The cloth face cover is not a substitute for social distancing.
• Clean AND disinfect touched surfaces daily. This includes tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, and sinks.

The Center for Disease Control provides more updates on how to stay safe and healthy amid the COVID-19 outbreak. So does the Illinois Department of Public Health website.

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