COVID-19 deaths nearly at 3,000 total for Illinois

Illinois Department of Health Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike announced Wednesday 136 new COVID-19 deaths, bringing the state’s death toll to 2,974.

In the past 24 hours, there were 14,974 tests run with 2,270 that came out positive.

In Illinois there have been 68,232 total cases of the novel coronavirus.

Currently, there are 1,231 people in the ICU and 780 are on ventilators with COVID-19.

Ezike also announced the latinx community in Illinois is one of the most vulnerable populations affected by the virus. Regardless of ability to pay, regardless of insurance, and regardless of citizenship status, Ezike added, COVID-19 testing is covered for everyone.

“Because of decades of disparities in healthcare access and delivery, we’ve seen worst effects of pandemic fall upon disproportionately upon the backs of communities of color that’s especially true in black communities, Native American communities and latinx communities,” Governor JB Pritzker said.

There are 120 federally qualified health centers in Illinois that have free testing.

Source: The Daily Chronicle