State health officials report four new cases of coronavirus

Posted on March 9, 2020
Gov. JB Pritzker (right) during a press conference Monday announced a disaster proclamation has been issued in response to the coronavirus in Illinois. (Photo Illinois.gov)

 

By Neil Doyle

CHICAGO – State health officials are reporting four additional people in Illinois have tested positive for novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), bringing the total number of cases to 11.

Gov. JB Pritzker announced Monday that a disaster proclamation has been issued in response to COVID-19.

The third new case is a woman in her 50s from California who traveled to Illinois, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health.  The fourth most recent case is a woman in her 70s who returned earlier this month from an Egyptian cruise.  All four of these new cases are in isolation and in good condition.

“While we continue to implement measures to reduce the spread of the virus, as we anticipated, we are starting to see more COVID-19 cases in Illinois,” said IDPH Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike.  “Although these most recent cases are close contacts to a confirmed case or have a history of travel, we want people to prepare for the virus to spread in the community.  The virus is not circulating widely in Illinois at this time, but we must prepare now to reduce the impact to our communities if it becomes widespread.”

Public health officials want to remind people experiencing flu-like symptoms to stay home unless seeking necessary medical care.

Neil Doyle can be reached at [email protected]

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