CHICAGO, Ill. — Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker said that the risk to Illinoisans for coronavirus is low.
“We want you to know that our state and local agencies and officials are using every tool at our disposal to ensure the public’s health and safety are well guarded,” Pritzker said Friday at a news conference in Chicago.
Two more additional testing labs are being added to the state besides Cook County. Pritzker said one lab will be in central Illinois and the other in southern Illinois.
While the risk to the public is low, Pritzker said to take precautions similar to the flu, to protect yourself from coronavirus.
“Take care to wash your hands, stay home if you are sick, cover your mouth and nose during any coughs or sneezes, and clean often touched surfaces or objects frequently,” Pritzker said.
Coronavirus, COVID-19, is spread from person to person, and causes mild illness in generally healthy individuals. Those who are more vulnerable, such as the elderly or children, could see more serious cases.
Dr. Nogzi Ezike, the Director of the Illinois Department of Public Health, said they are studying the strain of COVID-19, and learning more every day.
“In terms of the severity of the disease in the U.S. and Illinois, it is important to note that to date every person in the U.S. that has contracted the virus has made a recovery, a full recovery,” Ezike said.
Ezike said while at this time there are no treatments or vaccines for coronavirus, they are under development.
“Again, the two Illinois cases responded well to in patient hospital care, and fully recovered from their illnesses,” Ezike said. “And, patients around the country have received supportive care to keep them as comfortable as possible while their illness has run its course.”
Efforts to protect residents in Illinois include more airport screenings, monitoring those who have been exposed and those around them, providing regular guidance to hospital staffs, and guidance for childcare facilities, schools, universities, businesses, and more.
The IDPH has launched COVID-19 Coronavirus Hotline citizens can call with questions about coronavirus or report suspected cases to 1-800-889-3931. Or, citizens can visit idph.illinois.gov.
