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Measles cases are on the rise globally and here in Illinois the number is increasing as well. Vaccines are 97% effective in preventing this highly contagious disease.  To learn more about this infection and get information on vaccination, go to https://dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/diseases-and-conditions/diseases-a-z-list/measles.html.  Learn how to identify measles and the safe and effective vaccine that can prevent this potentially life-threatening infection for adults and children. 

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Public Health Officials Announce 3,629 New Confirmed Cases of Coronavirus Disease

News – Saturday, October 17, 2020

More than 77,000 tests reported in 24 hours

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) today reported 3,629 new confirmed cases of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Illinois, including 27 additional deaths.

  • Bureau County: 1 male 60s
  • Clinton County: 1 male 70s
  • Cook County: 1 female 20s, 1 male 50s, 3 males 60s, 1 female 70s, 1 female 80s, 3 males 80s, 1 male 90s
  • Cumberland County: 1 female 70s
  • DuPage County: 1 female 40s
  • Jefferson County: 1 male 80s
  • Kane County: 1 female 70s, 1 male 80s
  • LaSalle County: 1 female 90s
  • Marion County: 1 male 50s
  • Rock Island County: 1 male 70s
  • St. Clair County: 1 female 60s
  • Tazewell County: 1 male 80s
  • Will County: 1 female 70s, 1 male 70s, 2 males 80s

Currently, IDPH is reporting a total of 339,803 cases, including 9,192 deaths, in 102 counties in Illinois. The age of cases ranges from younger than one to older than 100 years. The preliminary seven-day statewide positivity for cases as a percent of total test from October 10 – October 16 is 5.2%. Within the past 24 hours, laboratories have reported 77,489 specimens for a total of 6,696,257.  As of last night, 2,073 people in Illinois were reported to be in the hospital with COVID-19.  Of those, 422 patients were in the ICU and 165 patients with COVID-19 were on ventilators.   

IDPH is including both molecular and antigen tests in the number of statewide total test performed in Illinois.  Previously, due to the limited number of antigen tests and limited information about antigen test accuracy, antigen tests were not included in the total number (which comprised less than 1% of total tests performed).  Antigen tests, like BinaxNOW™, are now becoming more readily available, therefore, IDPH has included both molecular and antigen tests in its total number of tests as of October 15, 2020. 

Following guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, IDPH is now reporting separately both confirmed and probable cases and deaths on its website.  Reporting probable cases will help show the potential burden of COVID-19 illness and efficacy of population-based non-pharmaceutical interventions.  IDPH will update these data once a week.

*All data are provisional and will change. In order to rapidly report COVID-19 information to the public, data are being reported in real-time. Information is constantly being entered into an electronic system and the number of cases and deaths can change as additional information is gathered.  Information for a death previously reported has changed, therefore, today’s numbers have been adjusted.  For health questions about COVID-19, call the hotline at 1-800-889-3931 or email dph.sick@illinois.gov.

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