2020 coronavirus pandemic in Illinois

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2020 coronavirus pandemic in Illinois
COVID-19 in Illinois.png
DiseaseCOVID-19
Virus strainSARS-CoV-2
LocationIllinois, United States
First caseChicago
Arrival dateJanuary 24, 2020
(1 month, 3 weeks and 2 days)
OriginWuhan, Hubei, China
Confirmed cases160[1]
Recovered2
Deaths
1[2]
Official website
Illinois Department of Public Health: Coronavirus Disease 2019
COVID-19 cases in Illinois  ()
     Deaths        Active cases
Date
# of cases
2020-01-24
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1(+1) (n.a.)
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1(=) (=)
2020-01-30
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2(+1) (+100%)
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2(=) (=)
2020-02-29
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3(+1) (+50%)
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3(=) (=)
2020-03-02
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4(+1) (+50%)
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4(=) (=)
2020-03-05
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5(+1) (+25%)
2020-03-06
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6(+1) (+20%)
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6(=) (=)
2020-03-08
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7(+1) (+16.67%)
2020-03-09
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11(+4) (+57.14%)
2020-03-10
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19(+8) (+72.73%)
2020-03-11
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25(+6) (+31.58%)
2020-03-12
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32(+7) (+28%)
2020-03-13
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46(+14) (+43.75%)
2020-03-14
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64(+18) (+39.13%)
2020-03-15
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93(+29) (+45.31%)
2020-03-16
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105(+12) (+12.9%)
2020-03-17
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160(+55) (+52.38%)
Cases: The number of cases confirmed in Illinois.

Sources: Daily IDPH reports[3]


The 2020 coronavirus pandemic in Illinois began on January 24, 2020, when a woman in Chicago, who had just returned from the pandemic's place of origin in Wuhan, China, tested positive for the virus.[4] This was the second case of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the United States during the 2019–20 coronavirus pandemic. The woman's husband was diagnosed with the disease a few days later, the first known case of human-to-human transmission in the United States. Community transmission was not suspected until March 8, when a case with no connection to other cases or recent travel was confirmed.[5] As of March 17, there were 160 diagnosed cases in the state, and one death.[1]

In mid-March, as the number of known cases rose into the double digits, Governor J. B. Pritzker issued the state's equivalent of a state of emergency to respond to the crisis. The state took measures to halt the spread of the disease by closing all schools and colleges, ordering a stop to eviction enforcements, ordering all bars and restaurants closed to sit-in diners, and otherwise restricting large gatherings of people.

Timeline[edit]

January[edit]

On January 24, 2020, Illinois health officials announced the first confirmed case of the novel coronavirus in the state of Illinois, also the second confirmed case in the United States. The case was a woman in her 60s who had returned from Wuhan, China, the place of origin of the outbreak. She had frequently visited a hospitalized relative,[6] and began to experience symptoms after returning to Chicago. She was isolated at St. Alexius Medical Center in the Chicago suburb of Hoffman Estates.[7]

On January 30, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed that the first known human-to-human transmission in the U.S. of the SARS-CoV-2 virus (then known as 2019-nCoV) had occurred in Chicago. According to the CDC, the woman who was the first Illinois case had transmitted the virus to her husband, who was confirmed as the second Illinois case and the sixth U.S. case after testing positive. He was isolated at the same hospital as his wife.[8]

February[edit]

On February 7, the two Illinois cases were released from the hospital and began home isolation.[9] Both made full recoveries and were released from isolation on February 14.[10][11] On February 29, a third Illinois resident tested positive for the virus in suburban Cook County.[12]

March[edit]

On March 2, a fourth case was announced by Illinois officials, the wife of the third case; she subsequently began home isolation. Other details were announced by officials: her husband had been isolated at Northwest Community Hospital in Arlington Heights since his case was reported two days earlier; both individuals were in their 70s; and the man was likely exposed to the virus through recent travel to an undisclosed U.S. state with community transmission. The man was later released to home isolation.[13][14]

On March 5, public health officials in Chicago reported a fifth case of coronavirus in a man in his 20s. The man, a student at Vanderbilt University,[15] recently traveled to Italy to study abroad, and returned to Illinois on a flight to Chicago O'Hare International Airport. The new case was hospitalized at Rush University Medical Center.[16] On March 6, a sixth case was reported in Chicago. The patient, a classroom assistant in the Vaughn Occupational High School, had been on the Grand Princess cruise ship where multiple passengers had tested positive.[17]

On March 8, a seventh case was announced in Cook County. The man in his 60s had not traveled to an area impacted by coronavirus, and did not have any contact with other cases; as a result, Illinois officials reported the patient as the first evidence of community transmission within Illinois. He was also reported to be in serious condition.[18] Additionally, a Missouri case connected to Illinois was confirmed; the patient had returned from Italy on a flight to O'Hare Airport, then took an Amtrak train to St. Louis, where she tested positive.[19]

On March 9, four additional cases were announced in Cook County, bringing the state's total number of cases to eleven. Governor J. B. Pritzker announced a disaster proclamation (a state of emergency) for the state of Illinois.[20] On March 10, Governor Pritzker announced eight new presumptive positive cases, two of which were the first cases outside of Cook County (in Kane and McHenry Counties). These cases brought Illinois's total number of cases to 19.[21]

On March 11, six new cases of the coronavirus were reported by officials, including the first in Lake County, bringing the total to 25.[22] One of these cases was located at One Prudential Plaza, marking the first confirmed case in a major downtown Chicago office building.[23] Illinois colleges and universities, such as Northwestern University and the University of Illinois, announced measures to combat the spread of the virus on their campuses through extensions of Spring Break as well as implementing online classes for part or all of the remaining semester.[24][25] In response to the growing pandemic, both Former Vice President Joe Biden and Senator Bernie Sanders canceled campaign rallies planned for Illinois. Additionally, Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot canceled the city's annual St. Patrick's Day parade and Chicago River dyeing in response to coronavirus.[26]On March 12, seven new cases of the coronavirus were reported by officials, including the first child who tested positive in Illinois. This brought the total to 32.[27]

On March 13, fourteen new cases of the coronavirus were reported by officials, bringing the total to 46. Governor Pritzker announced statewide school closures beginning March 17 until March 30.[28] Casinos statewide would close for fourteen days beginning on March 16.[29] Additionally, the Circuit Court of Cook County announced that “no orders for an eviction or foreclosure will be entered during the 30-day period,”[30] and the Archdiocese of Chicago announced it would stop holding public Mass from March 14.[31]

On March 14, 20 new cases of the coronavirus were reported by officials, raising the state total to 66. These included the first cases in Downstate Illinois, with patients testing positive in Woodford, Cumberland, St. Clair, and Sangamon Counties.[32] One of the cases in Sangamon County was a woman in critical condition who was hospitalized in Springfield, the state's capital.[33] Another new case, in DuPage County, was the first Illinoisan resident of a long-term care facility to contract the virus. At O'Hare Airport, travelers returning from Europe faced enhanced screening from U.S. Customs officials due to the federal travel ban put in place the day before. The screenings led to long waits and overcrowded facilities in the airport, which both Governor Pritzker and Mayor Lightfoot harshly criticized as unsafe.[34]

On March 15, the number of cases rose to 93. Cases were confirmed in Champaign, Clinton, Whiteside, and Winnebago Counties; meanwhile, Governor Pritzker ordered all bars and restaurants closed to sit-in diners.[35] On March 16, the number of cases rose to 105, and Peoria and Will Counties confirmed their first cases.[1][36] Governor Pritzker announced restrictions for public gatherings, limiting crowds to under 50 people amid growing concerns over the community spread of the virus in the state.[26]

On March 17, the number of cases rose to 160, and officials announced the first death related to COVID-19, a woman in her 60s from Chicago that had close contact with another case. 22 of the new cases were confirmed at a Willowbrook nursing home, including 18 residents and four staff members; these cases were related to an initial case announced on March 14. Both Northwestern University and UIC confirmed that individuals on campus had tested positive for the coronavirus. Additionally, Midway International Airport employees and a Chicago Fire Department worker are among the new cases.[37]

Government response[edit]

On March 9, Governor J. B. Pritzker issued a disaster proclamation, the state's equivalent to a state of emergency, as four new cases were announced in the state.[38]

On March 12, Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot announced that after meeting with Comcast executives, the company would "double internet speeds to low income households nationally. Also, 60 free days of internet for low income households" would be available starting March 16.[39]

On March 13, Governor Pritzker announced that all schools in Illinois would close for a period to begin the following Tuesday and last until the end of the month. The governor's announcement came after hundreds of public school districts and private schools had already announced closures.[40]

On March 15, Governor Pritzker announced that all bars and restaurants will be closed until March 30 as "it is his way on enforcing and preserving the safety and health of all residents of Illinois". Businesses with delivery options will still be able to serve.[41][42][43]

On March 16, Governor Pritzker announced that all gatherings of 50 or more people will be canceled in accordance with new guidelines which were issued by the CDC[44]. The Illinois Gaming Board suspended all video gaming operations at all licensed video gaming establishments and suspended gambling operations at all casinos from March 16 until March 30[45][46]. Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White announced that all driver services facilities throughout the state would be closed from March 17 through March 31. White's office stated that expiration dates will be extended by 30 days through an emergency rule, this includes for driver’s licenses, identification cards, vehicle registrations, document filings and other transactions.[47] The Illinois Department of Natural Resources announced that all state sites, which include state parks, fish and wildlife areas, recreational areas, and historic sites would be closed until further notice. This also included the Illinois State Museum and its branches which include the Research and Collections Center, Dickson Mounds Museum in Lewistown and the Lockport Gallery in Lockport.[48][49]

On March 17, 60 members of the Illinois National Guard were activated to assist during the COVID-19 pandemic in Illinois for the anticipated need of medical staffing and logistic support. Of those 60, 43 are airmen from the Peoria-based 182d Airlift Wing’s Medical Group whereas the other 17 are planners and liaison officers from both the Army and Air National Guard.[50]

Economic impact[edit]

Empty shelves due to panic buying in a Jewel supermarket in Lincoln Square, Chicago

From March 16 until May 6, American Airlines, which has a major hub at O'Hare International Airport in Chicago, will suspend long haul international flights, reducing its international capacity by 75%.[51]

Chicago's Navy Pier announced that it will be closed to the public until April 2.[52][53]

On March 15, Pritzker ordered all bars and restaurant dining rooms to close from March 17 to March 30 to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus affecting the state.

School closures[edit]

On March 9, Loyola Academy in Wilmette canceled classes due to potential exposure of a student to the virus.[54]

In the following days, several universities in Illinois closed or cancelled classes. Northwestern University extended its spring break by one week, after which classes would be held remotely rather than on campus.[24] The University of Illinois and Northern Illinois University took similar measures, adding that residence and dining halls would remain open.[25]

Many more Illinois schools, both public and private, announced closures in the following days, including the Archdiocese of Chicago. When Chicago Public Schools did not announce a closure, the Chicago Teachers Union demanded that the district close its schools immediately.[55] On March 13 Governor Pritzker announced that all schools in the state would be closed between March 17 and 30.[28]

Impact on sports[edit]

Most of state's sports teams were affected. Major League Baseball cancelled the remainder of spring training on March 12, and on March 16, they announced that the season will be postponed indefinitely, after the recommendations from the CDC to restrict events of more than 50 people for the next eight weeks, affecting the Chicago White Sox and Chicago Cubs.[56] Also on March 12, the National Basketball Association suspended the season for 30 days, affecting the Chicago Bulls.[57] Also on that date, the National Hockey League, suspended the season indefinitely, affecting the Chicago Blackhawks.[58] Also on March 12, Major League Soccer suspended the season for 30 days, affecting the Chicago Fire FC.[59]

In college sports, the National Collegiate Athletic Association cancelled all winter and spring tournaments on March 12, most notably the Division I men's and women's basketball tournaments, affecting colleges and universities statewide.[60] On March 16, the National Junior College Athletic Association canceled the remainder of the winter seasons as well as the spring seasons.[61]

Also on March 12, the Illinois High School Association announced the cancellation of most remaining winter State Series postseason tournaments, with basketball being the main activity affected.[62]

Statistics[edit]

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases in Illinois[1]

Updated March 17, 2020

County Confirmed cases Deaths
Champaign 1 0
Clinton 2 0
Cook 107 1
Cumberland 1 0
DuPage 26 0
Kane 3 0
Lake 7 0
McHenry 2 0
Peoria 1 0
Sangamon 3 0
St. Clair 2 0
Whiteside 1 0
Will 2 0
Winnebago 1 0
Woodford 1 0
Total 160 1

References[edit]

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  51. ^ American Airlines to suspend nearly all long-haul international flights starting March 16 Yahoo! News, March 14, 2020]
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External links[edit]