September 3, 2020 – As he’s done before other major holidays during the COVID-19 pandemic, Gov. J.B. Pritzker warned people to be careful about Labor Day gatherings. Even if the gathering is with family or friends at home, Pritzker and health officials said Illinoisans need to take precautions such as washing hands, social distancing and wearing masks. Pritzker brought out several medical professionals to back him in his continued mitigation efforts. UI Health Infections Disease Dr. Susan Bleasdale said there aren’t many options to slow the spread.
“We may see somewhat of a seesaw back and forth of opening activities, and closing activities, but this is really important until we get an effective vaccine or treatment,” Bleasdale said.
Businesses have been opened and closed again in the Metro East area after the region’s COVID-19 positivity rate exceeded 8% for more than three days two weeks ago. Region 4 a positivity rate – which is the number of positive cases of all tests performed – of 9.6 percent. As of Wednesday, of nearly 35,000 hospital beds statewide, there were nearly 1,600 beds taken by a patient with COVID-19 symptoms. There were 13,000 available beds statewide. Pritzker criticized people he called “virus deniers” on Wednesday as he urged people to not take part in large gatherings during the Labor Day holiday weekend. He said he doesn’t want people to die.
“People are dying every day from this horrible virus and thousands who have recovered are still suffering from life-threatening pulmonary and cardiac symptoms,” Pritzker said.
State public health officials on Wednesday reported an additional 27 COVID-related deaths in the latest 24-hour report. The numbers did not break down which were deaths from multiple conditions or just from COVID-19.
“All data are provisional and will change,” IDPH said. “In order to rapidly report COVID-19 information to the public, data are being reported in real-time … and the numbers of cases and deaths can change as additional information is gathered.”
