Illinois COVID-19 Update
April 14, 2020
The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) today announced 1,222 new COVID-19 cases and 74 deaths. The total number of cases in the state is 23,247 in 87 counties, with a total of 868 deaths.
At today’s press briefing, Governor J.B. Pritzker provided an update on COVID-19 hospitalization utilization data. Currently there are 4,283 COVID-19 patients and persons under investigation (PUI) hospitalized. Of the 3,140 vents available statewide, 1,398 vents are in use, with 796 of those vents being used by COVID-19 patients and PUIs. Related to hospital capacity, currently no IDPH hospital region is below 15% availability in any of these metrics.
The Governor noted that the length of days it takes to double the number of COVID-19 cases in the state has been increasing which is critical to bending the curve. On March 22, it took two days to double the number of cases. As of April 12, the number is now 8.2 days.
When discussing the stay-at-home order, Governor Pritzker said that his team is designing a “new normal” on how to move forward throughout the pandemic. He gave no specifics as to his thoughts on extending the order, but said he is relying on his team and science for guidance.
IDPH is hosting a novel coronavirus (COVID-19) situational update event on April 15 from 11 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. for health departments, hospitals and EMS to provide the latest information on the novel coronavirus outbreak and Illinois preparedness efforts. Registration is required.
The Illinois Dept. of Human Services – Division of Mental Health has released a new list of Contraindications for Admission to a State Operated Psychiatric Hospital specifically for civil admissions from private hospitals across the state.
The Illinois Emergency Management Agency and IDPH are launching a new public service campaign—Do Your Part—to remind Illinois residents to continue to follow the Stay at Home order enacted by the Governor's executive order to help slow the spread of the novel coronavirus. The new spots started airing as part of the Ready Illinois broadcast preparedness campaign.
The Illinois Office of the Comptroller has developed a daily and running total of Covid-19 state spending. The expenditures reported in the chart and table are from state sources only and have been processed through the office. The daily amounts may be changed to include additional payments or refunds as they are identified and as federal funds are received and spent.
IHA issued a memo today with new information regarding the McCormick Place Alternate Care Facility (MPACF). The city of Chicago asked IHA to provide this information to our members. The memo highlights patient intake criteria and transfer process. Starting 9 a.m. today, hospital discharge planning staff can contact the MPACF Intake Coordinator at 312-791-6620. Intake calls will be taken 24 hours a day and EMS transport will be arranged by MPACF.
The Chicago Bureau of Affairs and Consumer Protections (BACP) is offering a variety of informational webinars to ensure workers know their rights during the COVID-19 outbreak. On April 16 at 2 p.m., the BACP will host a webinar in Spanish on Workers’ Rights and Resources during COVID-19. Registration information is available here.
In an effort to help protect the workers on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic, Battelle is offering N95 decontamination services at no charge to healthcare providers through federal funding from the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services and the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The organization will open a location in Waukegan this week to provide this N95 sterilization using the Battelle CCDS Critical Care Decontamination System. For more information, contact Joseph Berger at 614-424-6404.