This browser does not support the Video element.
MOBILE APP USERS: Watch Fox 32 News on the go by clicking here
CHICAGO -- Illinois health officials on Thursday announced 1,140 new cases of the coronavirus, raising the state’s case total to 25,733.
There are also another 125 deaths from the disease in Illinois in the last 24 hours, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health. The state’s death toll is now 1,072 people.
The virus has been reported in 90 of the state's 102 counties. The age of cases ranges from younger than one to older than 100 years.
Of the 125 new deaths announced Thursday, the youngest victim is a man in his 30s, while the oldest is a man in his 100s, IDPH said.
Governor JB Pritzker says the state has set up a way to get in touch with a mental health professional if the COVID-19 pandemic is causing you anxiety. Just text "TALK" (or "HABLAR" for Spanish assistance) to 552020. You can also text the words "UNEMPLOYMENT," "FOOD" or SHELTER" to the same number for assistance.
The state is also launching a remote care program for COVID-19 patients whose symptoms are not severe. Healthcare workers will connect digitally with patients on a daily basis. And, depending on the severity of the situation, the state might provide kits with blood pressure cuffs and thermometers.
This browser does not support the Video element.
Illinois launches free mental health service
Gov. JB Pritzker said the state has set up a way to get in touch with a mental health professional if the COVID-19 pandemic is causing you anxiety. Just text "TALK" (or "HABLAR" for Spanish assistance) to 552020. You can also text the words "UNEMPLOYMENT," "FOOD" or SHELTER" to the same number for assistance.
Social distancing efforts have been making a difference in slowing the spread of the coronavirus.
The director of the CDC says infection rates are stabilizing and that some areas of the country might be able to open within the next few weeks.
"I think we've really stabilized across the country. We’re still seeing a small rate of increase, you know, in the range of 5 to 6 percent, as opposed to where we were before, when it was 20, 30 percent per day. But we're close. We’re stabilized and anticipate that we'll begin to see a decline in the days ahead, but we gotta just continue to take it day by day, and look at the data,” said CDC Director Robert Redfield.
Redfield says, however, that even in areas of the country that are opened up eventually, mitigation efforts and widespread testing will have to continue.
For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness and death.