SPRINGFIELD, Ill – Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker said testing, tracing, treating and PPE are things the state needs before things can reopen. Pritzker said the state is working very hard on the PPE and testing.
Pritzker did answer FOX2’s question about what his message was to those living in the Metro East where there were fewer cases than Northern Illinois. Pritzker did acknowledge a hot spot in St. Clair, Madison and Monroe Counties.
“I am taking into account there are fewer cases and fewer deaths. We are also looking at hospital availability and other factors to determine how we might think changes that will be good for people that live in areas where there isn’t as virulent of a spread,” Pritzker explained.
Pritzker started his daily briefing by stressing the importance of testing. He says two new state-run testing sites are opening, bringing the total to 5.
One will be in Aurora and the other in Rockford. These facilities don’t need a doctor’s order to get tested.
The state also reported 2,049 new cases and 98 new deaths. That brings the total in the state to 35,108 cases, including 1,565 deaths. That includes these Metro East deaths:
– Madison County: 2 males 70s, 1 male 80s
– Monroe County: 1 male 80s
– St. Clair County: 1 male 80s
The Illinois COVID-19 response fund also raised $30 million since its launch on March 26th.
