Governor J-B Pritzker says the light at the end of the tunnel is getting brighter and Illinois will move into the ‘Bridge’ Phase next Friday and may fully reopen as soon as June 11th.
Capacity at museums, theaters, gyms, offices, and stores will be increased to 60% from 50% currently.
“Barring any significant reversals in key COVD-19 indications, Illinois will move to Phase 5, normal business operations, free of any pandemic-related mitigations, as soon as Friday, June 11th.”
Pritzker says masks will be required during the bridge phase and that he will follow CDC guidance as to whether they will be still mandated once the state fully reopens.
There were another 1,778 new cases of coronavirus reported on Thursday along with 40 additional deaths. The seven-day state positivity rate fell to three percent.
While the state report doesn’t yet list any new deaths in Marion County, the Marion County Health Department is reporting one new death on Thursday. The female in her 90s was a resident of the long-term care facility currently experiencing an outbreak. The death was the 118th in the county that is said to be COVID-related.
The health department is also reporting three new cases on Thursday. One is a long-term care resident from the outbreak facility and no students. One of the cases is considered community spread. The others two are from household or close contacts. There are now 16 active cases.
The Clinton County Health Department is reporting two new positive cases. There are currently 15 on home isolation and three in the hospital.
Jefferson County is reporting four new cases on Thursday and four currently in isolation.
The Washington County Health Department is reporting no new cases on Tuesday and Wednesday with two positive cases remaining in isolation.
