Pritzker calls for state of emergency after four new confirmed cases of coronavirus

Gov. JB Pritzker issued a disaster proclamation Monday after four more people in the state tested positive for new coronavirus. The additional cases bring the total in Illinois to 11.

Pritzker’s proclamation unlocks access to additional state and federal resources. So far, 13 other states have declared a state of emergency, according to the governor’s office.

“This is the next step,” Pritzker said at a press conference Monday in Chicago.

Two of the new cases – a woman in her 50s and a woman in her 70s – are related to the Vaughn Occupational High School employee who tested positive last week. Neither work for the school and so far, all other tests linked to the school have been negative.

The third new case is a woman in her 50s from California who traveled to Illinois. The fourth is a woman in her 70s who returned earlier this month from an Egyptian cruise.

“We’ve said all along we expected new cases,” said Dr. Allison Arwady, Commissioner of the Chicago Department of Public Health.

“This is an example of the public health system working as it should,” added Arwady, who said those who have been affected have received the necessary treatment and were properly isolated.

Patients can get tested at 15 hospitals across the state. And the state’s largest insurers – Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois, UnitedHealthcare, Aetna and Cigna – have agreed to waive costs for the testing, according to Pritzker. Medicaid and Medicare are also covering testing costs.

Officials said the virus is not yet circulating widely in Illinois, but called on residents to start thinking about steps they would need to take if it continues to spread, including alternative childcare options and changes to their daily commute.

“This is going to affect your daily life,” Pritzker said. “But know that your city, your county and your state officials are working hard to stay ahead of this.”

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