Illinois COVID-19 cases top 3,000 including 34 deaths

Posted on March 27, 2020
Pritzker says those who sign up could be deployed to respond to urgent needs during the crisis. (Photo courtesy: WJBC/File)

By Dave Dahl

SPRINGFIELD – Illinois has now topped 3,000 coronavirus cases – 3,026 – and has reached 34 deaths.

Gov. JB Pritzker issued another call to action during Friday’s coronavirus briefing, this time for anybody with a medical license.

“Anyone who has made a career in the medical profession,” said the governor. “This is for emergency alerts for all our licensed health care workers. Please register at www.illinoishelps.net. Your fellow illinoisans need you. Your state needs you.”

Pritzker says those who sign up could be deployed to respond ot urgent needs during the crisis.

Illinois’ cases are going up. Is it because the virus is spreading, or because more people are being tested? Pritzker’s answer: “Both!”

“Many hospitals are simply assuming that if you have a deep respiratory cough, trouble breathing, and a fever, without even testing they are now just assuming you are COVID-19 positive, because they don’t have a test to offer to everybody,” said Pritzker.

And the governor took a shot at President Trump’s comments this week that governors are asking for more medical equipment than they need. Pritzker said that sort of thinking is at least counterproductive and at worst deadly.

Dave Dahl can be reached at [email protected]

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