Illinois reports 1,531 new COVID-19 cases, 30 deaths

CHICAGO - On Tuesday, the Illinois Department of Public Health reported 1,531 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Illinois, including 30 additional confirmed deaths.

Of the 30 deaths, six were confirmed in Cook County.

IDPH is reporting 277,266 cases, including 8,486 deaths, in 102 counties in Illinois.

Within the past 24 hours, laboratories have reported 41,829 specimens for a total of 5,185,216.  

The preliminary seven-day statewide positivity for cases is 3.5 percent.

As of Monday night, 1,455 people in Illinois were reported to be in the hospital with COVID-19, 367 patients were in the ICU and 153 patients with COVID-19 were on ventilators.

The latest COVID-19 numbers come as the city of Chicago placed Wisconsin on its 14-day quarantine list. Placement on the list is triggered by averaging more than 15 new COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents over a seven-day period. Also joining the list are Montana, Idaho, Minnesota and Puerto Rico.

Authorities say the surge of coronavirus cases in Wisconsin is being driven by students at the various campuses of the University of Wisconsin. As a result the state’s governor has declared a public health emergency.

Despite the threat by Chicago officials to levy fines, the travel advisory is more educational than real. Compliance is voluntary. So far, warning letters are as far as City Hall has gone to enforce the advisory.

“Our travel quarantine orders are primarily focused on education,” said Chicago Health Commissioner Dr. Allison Arwady.

Associated Press contributed to this report.