A grim new daily record was set Wednesday when 238 COVID-19 related deaths were reported.
The latest single-day death toll surpasses the high of 191 set back in mid-May. Some of the increase may be attributed to a delay in reporting data over the Thanksgiving weekend, but Governor JB Pritzker says regardless, the numbers are heartbreaking.
“This virus is a killer. Let’s honor those that it has taken by doing everything we can to prevent more people from getting sick and dying. Wear your mask, keep your distance, stay home whenever you can. We’ll get through this,” said Pritzker.
Doctor Christopher Farrar is the Medical Director at Anderson Hospital in the Metro East area. He says COVID is a terrible disease that can affect several organ systems and causes pain and suffering.
“As a provider on the front lines of this pandemic, I’ve witnessed the misery and death that the virus inflicts on my patients and the emotional toll on their families. because of COVID-19 families are no longer able to visit their loved ones in the hospital. They are now having emotional phone calls with families, providing treatment updates, and discussing options including end-of-life care.
More than 12,600 people have now died who had tested positive for COVID in Illinois.
About 5,700 COVID patients are currently in the hospital. During the spring most hospital stays were about nine to 11 days long. During the second wave, it’s been seven to nine days.
There were 9,757 new COVID-19 cases reported statewide on Wednesday. The seven-day positivity rate popped up to 10.6-percent. The Southern Illinois Regional Positivity Rate is 12.5-percent. Marion County’s positivity rate increased to 14.4-percent. The Metro East Region positivity rate is at 14.1-percent. The East Central Region is at 12-percent positivity.
