Illinois COVID-19 Update

May 8, 2020

The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) today announced 2,887 new COVID-19 cases and 130 deaths. The total number of cases in the state is 73,760 in 98 counties, with a total of 3,241 deaths. IDPH says that in the past 24 hours, 20,671 specimens have been processed—the first time the state has surpassed 20,000 tests. Statewide COVID-19 hospitalizations in the past 24 hours decreased from 4,862 patients to 4,750 patients. Of that figure, 1,222 patients are in ICU with 727 patients on ventilators.

IDPH released a notice on changes to the isolation period for COVID-19 cases. Specifically when symptom-based strategies are used, 10 days is now consistent for return to work criteria for both healthcare workers and non-healthcare workers. A 14-day quarantine period remains unchanged for close contact to COVID-19 cases.

Yesterday, Chicago Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot announced new partnerships with Hotel Julian, The Godfrey Hotel and London House to provide Chicago’s nursing home workers with a safe space to isolate themselves if they get sick or if they need temporary respite as they continue to work on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic. Beginning this week, the rooms at the hotels will be available to nursing home workers on a first-come, first-serve basis. Any nursing home worker looking to secure a room will need to provide proof of employment. Additionally, the hotels will provide guests with free meals and free parking is also included at the respite hotel locations.