Staff Report

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), onThursday, announced 715 new cases coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in the state, including 16 additional deaths.

The announcement brings the total deaths to 157 in Illinois.

The deaths include a man in his 80s in Christian County, a woman in her 80s in DuPage County, a man his 60s from McHenry County and a man in her 90s in Whiteside  County.

In Cook County, where 75% of the state’s cases have arisen, new deaths include a man in his 30s; a woman in her 40s; a man in his 40s; two women in their 60s; a man in his 60s; a woman in her 70s; four men in their 70s; and a man in his 80s.

“85% of the cases in Illinois are in ages 60 or older,” Illinois Public Health Director Ngozi O. Ezike said in a release. “The 715 new cases bring the total numbers of cases in the state to 7,695 cases in 61 counties.”

Logan, Macoupin, Mercer, Moultrie, and Piatt counties are now reporting cases, Ezike said.

As of this report, a total of 43, 656 people have been tested for COVID-19 in Illinois.

State officials are reminding citizens that they personal protective equipment (PPE) donations are welcome. To donate, email PPE.donations@illinois.gov.

For health questions about COVID-19, call the hotline at 1-800-889-3931 or email dph.sick@illinois.gov.