Illinois overtakes NY in COVID-19 testing per capita; state on track for Phase 3 by May 31
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CHICAGO -- Illinois Governor JB Pritzker announced some positive news Tuesday regarding the state's battle against COVID-19.
He said Illinois has overtaken New York in regards to testing per capita. In addition, all four regions of the state are on track to move into Phase 3 before the end of May.
Illinois health officials also announced 1,545 new cases of the coronavirus, raising the state’s case total to 98,030.
There were also another 146 deaths from the disease in the last 24 hours, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health. The statewide death toll is now at 4,379.
Within the past 24 hours in Illinois, laboratories have processed 18,443 virus tests. In total, the state has administered 621,684 tests.
The virus has been reported in at least 100 of the state's 102 counties. The age of cases ranges from younger than one to older than 100 years.
Last week, Governor Pritzker announced the virus positivity rate in Illinois continues to decline, as the state is on track to begin Phase 3 of its reopening plan in two weeks.
Governor Pritkzer's five-phased plan, named Restore Illinois, is guided by public health metrics designed for reopening businesses, schools, and recreational activities in each phase.
RELATED: 'Restore Illinois': Pritzker reveals 5-phase plan to reopen state amid COVID-19 pandemic
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.