UPDATE: Two more people have died in Illinois from COVID-19, a man in his 50s and a woman in her 80s. Four people in Illinois have now succumbed to the virus.

By Jim Hagerty
Reporter

SPRINGFIELD  –  Illinois officials, on Thursday, reported that a second person has died after contracting the novel coronavirus.

The latest victim is a 71-year-old woman from Florida who was visiting the Springfield area when she became sick. She later tested positive for COVID-19 in Sangamon County.
“Now more than ever, we call on our community to take care of themselves and each other, to be vigilant and willing to make sacrifices to help curb the spread of this virus,” said Memorial Health System Chief Medial Officer Dr. Raj Govindaiah said. “That means refraining from going out in public if you are sick, practicing social distancing and frequently washing your hands with soap and water. It is vital that we protect those who are most vulnerable to this virus, including older adults and people with compromised immune systems.”

The woman is the second person to die in Illinois from COVID-19. As of Wednesday, March 18, Illinois had 288 confirmed cases of the virus.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker is scheduled to give his daily coronavirus update at 2:30 p.m., Thursday.