Illinois health officials announced 6,642 new coronavirus cases and 123 deaths Friday. The UK virus variant has been found in the state.
CHICAGO (WLS) — Illinois health officials reported 6,642 new COVID-19 cases and 123 deaths Friday. The total number of cases in Illinois now stands at 1,059,324, with a total of 18,049 deaths, since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Governor Pritzker laid out new information Friday on the rollout of the next phase of the state’s COVID-19 vaccination plan. Ten days from now, the state will be moving to vaccination phase 1B, which includes essential workers and people 65 and older. First responders, like police and firefighters, corrections officers; food and agricultural workers, like those at food processing plants; grocery store workers, public transit employees, like flight crews and bus drivers; educators, such as teachers and school staff members; along with workers at shelters and adult day care would all fall under Phase 1B. Hundreds of sites will be set up to vaccinate more than three million people in that group. Four and a half weeks into Illinois’ vaccine rollout, the state is averaging just 27,000 doses given per day. While that figure is expected to rise, at the current rate it would take two and a half years for all Illinoisans to get the required two doses. The governor is blaming slow federal distribution.»I don’t think they know which end is up,» he said Friday. But amid criticism, the state has been slow to move to the next vaccine phase. Officials announced phase 1B will begin January 25 for people 65 and older, as well as some essential workers.»We are working to get the vaccine that is delivered to Illinois into the arms of people as quickly and as equitably and as effectively as possible,» said Illinois’ top doctor, Ngozi Ezike. To vaccinate the more than three million people in 1B, the state is partnering with hundreds of pharmacies, urgent care clinics, doctors’ offices and workplaces where shots will be given by appointment only. Retail pharmacies, like Walgreens, will be part of the plan. The governor also said other retail sites will join in, but he said do not call these retail stores yet, as a state website is being set up first.»We will launch the Illinois Covid 19 vaccination administration plan website, giving everyone the ability to find a nearby vaccination site and information about how to make an appointment,» Pritzker said. Officials also said the Illinois National Guard will set up two vaccination sites in suburban Cook County, similar to what it did with testing.»Patience will be required in these first weeks of phase 1B because vaccine supplies are just extremely limited,» Pritzker said. «The first two guard teams are deploying to two Cook County health sites, and we have nearly two dozens more National Guard teams ready to come online in the weeks ahead as vaccination supply increases.»However, with Illinois administering less than 45 % of doses it’s received, some said the state’s efforts have been underwhelming.»I was very disappointed to hear that it’s going to take ten more days before we start vaccinating 1B because I know there are several other states where they have been vaccinating the 1Bs now for some time,» said Professor Hani Mahmassani, director with Northwestern University’s Transportation Center. «I’ll believe that there is a plan when there is a website where we can actually all register.»The governor said a website is in the works and will be up and running before January 25 with appointment and vaccination site information, but it is still unclear is how the state will verify the age and employment status of those who sign up. At least four people have been confirmed Friday to be COVID-19 positive following the General Assembly in Springfield. The spokesperson for the IL Speaker of the House said the IDPH is reporting three COVID-19 positive cases at the Bank of Springfield Center where the Illinois House met this past week.
