Coronavirus Strikes Family Twice As Sister Of First Victim Dies

CHICAGO, IL — The older sister of Illinois’s first person to die of new coronavirus has also succumbed to disease. Wanda Bailey, 63, of Crete, died early Wednesday in Olympia Fields. Her sister, Patricia Frieson, 61, died March 16 after testing positive for COVID-19, becoming the first person in Illinois to die of coronavirus.

The Cook County Medical Examiner said Bailey died of pneumonia due to COVID-19 infection with heart disease, hypertension and COPD as contributing factors. Family members had gathered at Frieson’s hospital bedside when the retired nurse died of the disease. Several of Frieson’s siblings have since tested positive for coronavirus.

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

The medical examiner confirmed six additional COVID-19 infection deaths Thursday, bringing the total in Cook County to 19. Statewide, 26 people have succumbed to coronavirus, with 2,538 total cases.

More on Patch:

673 New IL Coronavirus Cases Amid 'Battle To Save Your Life'
Coronavirus: North Siders Just Won't Get It Until They Get "It"
300 People Released From Cook County Jail as Coronavirus Spreads