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By Neil Doyle
CHICAGO – Gov. JB Pritzker has ordered all Illinois bars and restaurants to close until March 30 to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.
The governor announced Sunday afternoon the closures will go into effect Monday night and is for dine-in purposes. Drive-thru, delivery and curbside pickup options will still be allowed, according to Pritzker.
Meanwhile, state health officials announced 29 new coronavirus cases, bringing the state total to 93.
Five new counties are reporting cases – Champaign, Clinton, Sangamon, Whiteside, and Winnebago counties. Other locations with cases include Chicago and Cook, Cumberland, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, St. Clair, and Woodford counties.
“We are seeing the number of COVID-19 cases increase exponentially and in more locations across Illinois,” said IDPH Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike. “At this point, it is best to assume that the coronavirus is circulating in your community and you should take the same precautions when interacting with other people that you would when interacting with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19.”
The IDPH said cases have occurred in all age ranges and the number of cases that do not have a clear connection to travel or a known COVID-19 case is increasing.
Neil Doyle can be reached at [email protected]