5/27/20 - A Message from Secretary Hou: Press Conference Recap

May 27, 2020

Dear Colleagues:

Please see the updates from the Governor's press conference yesterday.


COVID-19 Updates from the Governor's 05-26-2020 Press Conference

  • Steady Decline: Governor JB Pritzker was pleased to announce that COVID-related hospitalizations, which had been holding steady a couple of weeks ago, have now dropped to a six week low, with nearly 1,200 fewer beds in use by COVID positive patients. He also highlighted that hospital and ICU bed availability are both above 30%.
  • Weekly Fatalities: IDPH Director Dr. Ezike relayed that for the week ending May 16th, the State reported a total of 780 deaths. While 780 deaths sadly represent 780 individuals who lost their lives, and families and loved ones and communities who are mourning those deaths, it also signals the first week that there have been fewer deaths than the previous week. Dr. Ezike stated that she is hopeful that this fact is the beginning of a downward trend.
  • Illinois Veterans' Homes: IDPH reported that since this crisis began, there have been 22 positive staff and 47 positive residents at the Illinois Veterans' Home at Manteno. Sadly, ten of those who tested positive for COVID-19 have passed away. The Veterans' Home in Anna has seen five residents test positive, one resident in LaSalle, and no positive cases thus far at the Veterans' Home in Quincy.
  • Stay at Home Order and Eviction Ban: When asked whether he will extend the Stay at Home Executive Order that is set to expire on Friday, Governor Pritzker confirmed that he would in fact be extending the Order as well as the ban on evictions.
  • Hospitalization Numbers: As of yesterday, there were 3,788 people hospitalized in Illinois for COVID-19. Of those, 1,035 were in the ICU, with 590 of them on ventilators.
  • Daily Statewide COVID-19 cases: 1,178 new cases reported in Illinois and 39 additional deaths.


Sincerely,

Grace


Grace B. Hou

Secretary, IDHS