Crisis Virus Numbers In Elmhurst?

ELMHURST, IL — Since the start of the pandemic, Elmhurst Hospital has seen 189 deaths from the coronavirus, according to its numbers.

How many of those have been in the last month? One.

As coronavirus numbers have picked up in the rest of the country, Elmhurst Hospital, which serves an area considerably larger than Elmhurst itself, has yet to see major effects.

As of Wednesday, the hospital had 10 coronavirus patients, two more than a week ago.

In the last four days, Elmhurst itself has experienced a dozen new coronavirus cases. That's an increase, but nowhere near the numbers during the worst parts of the pandemic.

Nov. 17 was the hospital's high, with 84 coronavirus patients. In late May, the hospital still had more than 20. The number dropped after that, eventually to zero, before it started rising again.

No Elmhurst residents have died from the coronavirus since early June, according to the DuPage County Health Department. Such local deaths total 68.

Meanwhile, debates over mask mandates continue. They are required at Elmhurst City Hall and the Elmhurst Public Library, among other places. The local school district made them optional for the coming school year, although the governor is expected to announce a mandate for all districts.