The Director of the Illinois Public Health Department says she's "desperate to find the message" that will get Illinoisans to follow mitigation guidelines in their every day lives to stop the spread of COVID-19.
Friday, October 23 was the fifth address since Illinois leaders resumed daily briefings about the virus. Positivity rates and hospitalizations have steadily increased.
Between October 17 and October 22, the number of hospitalized patients have increased by 486. As of Friday, there was a reported 2,498 people in the hospital. That number had gotten down as low as1,342 in mid-July.
As of Friday. Dr. Ngozi Ezike reported 31 additional deaths, making for a total of 9,418 COVID-19-related deaths in Illinois.
While reporting these numbers, Dr. Ezike cried briefly, taking a few moments to compose herself before resuming the numbers report.
In response to a question about "COVID fatigue," Dr. Ezike said it was important to remember the healthcare workers.
"If you're talking about COVID fatigue from having to keep wearing a mask, think about the COVID fatigue for healthcare workers, respiratory therapists, who are going to have to go through this whole episode again of trying to fight for people's lives because we couldn't figure out how to control this virus by doing some of the simple measures that have been prescribed," said Dr. Ezike.
Healthcare experts continue to urge people to wear masks, practice social distancing, and wash your hands regularly.
Friday is the day that COVID-19 resurgence mitigations for Region 7 (Will and Kankakee Counties) and Region 8 (Kane and DuPage Counties) begin. Indoor dining and bar service will not be allowed and gatherings will be limited to 25 people.
51 of Illinois' 102 counties are reported at warning level, according to the state health department. This includes Carroll, Henderson, Jo Daviess, Knox, Mercer, Rock Island, Warren and Whiteside Counties.
