Pritzker reports 73 COVID-19 deaths, highest single-day increase

Gov. JB Pritzker’s administration announced 73 more COVID-19-related deaths Tuesday, the highest single-day increase since the pandemic began. That pushes the total to 380.

Officials also reported 1,287 new confirmed cases bringing the state’s number of positive tests to 13,549 in 77 counties. There have been 68,732 individuals tested in Illinois.

As of Monday, 3,680 COVID-19 patients and suspected COVID-19 patients were hospitalized. Of that number, 1,166 were in an intensive care unit and 821 patients were using a ventilator.

Pritzker said that 65 percent of the state’s available ICU beds were occupied and 43 percent of available ventilators were in use.

He noted that beds are filling up faster in certain parts of the state, including Chicago. As of Monday, only one-quarter of the city’s ICU beds were available. In some suburbs, the percentage was even lower.

“As this situation evolves, I’m prepared to do whatever it takes to ensure every patient receives what they need,” he said. That effort includes the McCormick Place field hospital and the repurposing of three formerly closed hospitals in the Chicago area and one in Springfield to treat COVID-19 patients.

Health News Illinois is removing the password on all stories related to the coronavirus. For the latest developments follow us on Twitter at @healthnewsil or check out our website. For complete healthcare coverage, sign up for a free trial to our daily email newsletter.