First coronavirus-related death reported in Illinois

Illinois has its first death related to the new coronavirus.

Gov. JB Pritzker said during his Tuesday press conference that the patient was a Chicago woman in her 60s with an underlying condition. She was diagnosed with the disease earlier this month.

“I want to send my deepest condolences to her family members,” Pritzker said. “I want them to know that the entire state of Illinois mourns with them. May her memory be a blessing.”

Officials announced 55 new cases of COVID-19 on Tuesday, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in Illinois to 160 in 15 counties. That includes 21 new cases reported at a DuPage County long-term care facility.

Pritzker said those patients, which includes 18 residents and four staff members, are being treated in isolation.

Illinois Public Health Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike said federal, state and local officials are working together to treat those long-term care patients and to identify anyone else who may have been in contact with those individuals.

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