coronavirus illinois

Illinois Coronavirus Updates: Chicago Travel Order Begins, Lowest Daily Death Toll Since March

Here are the latest developments on the coronavirus crisis today

(NOTE: Daily press conferences from Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot will be streamed live in the player above. Check back for updates.)

Chicago's new travel order requiring anyone entering or returning to the city from more than a dozen states to quarantine for 14 days.

The order comes after a long holiday weekend that had many traveling.

Here are the latest developments on the coronavirus crisis today (July 6):

Illinois Reports 614 New Coronavirus Cases, 6 Additional Deaths

Health officials in Illinois have reported 614 new cases of coronavirus statewide in the last 24 hours, along with six additional deaths.

According to data from the Illinois Department of Public Health, the state’s total number of coronavirus cases during the pandemic is now up to 147,865 after Monday’s new confirmed cases.

The six additional deaths, tied with Sunday for the lowest single-day increase in fatalities since late March, bring the state’s total number of coronavirus-related deaths to 7,026.

IHSA Releases Phase 4 'Return to Play' Guidance

The Illinois High School Association has released its long-awaited guidelines for returning to play in phase four of Illinois' reopening plan.

The new guidance took effect Sunday after being approved by the Illinois Department of Public Health and include restrictions for both fans and players.

The guidelines allow for teams to gather with up to 50 coaches and players at a time for both practices and contests, but social distancing guidelines will still need to be maintained.

Under the rules, players would need to be screened ahead of each event for symptoms of coronavirus and students will be limited to five hours of participation per day.

“Safety remains at the forefront of everything that the IHSA is doing as we move into Phase 4 and beyond,” IHSA Executive Director Craig Anderson said in a statement. “We appreciate the collaborative efforts of the SMAC and IDPH in recognizing the physical, mental, and emotional benefits for our student-athletes and coaches as they progress into training in a more traditional practice setting. Our focus now shifts to continuing to work with state leadership to determine how to provide the safest environment possible for fall sports.”

The guidelines allow for a total of 20 contact days between June 30 and Aug. 9.

Here's a look at the guidelines for "summer contact days."

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot to Launch Utility Billing Relief Program

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot is set to announce the launch of a new Utility Billing Relief Program in the city.

The announcement, which is set for 1:30 p.m. CST, will include City Comptroller Reshma Soni and CEDA leadership, her office said.

Watch it live in the player above.

Chicago Travel Order Begins, Requiring Quarantine for Travelers From 15 States

Chicago's emergency travel order began Monday morning, directing anyone who visits one of 15 states in the U.S. currently experiencing a rise in coronavirus cases to quarantine for 14 days.

The order took effect at 12:01 a.m. and remains in effect until further notice.

Chicago Department of Public Health Commissioner Dr. Allison Arwady said travelers entering or returning to Chicago from "states experiencing a surge in new COVID-19 cases" will need to quarantine "for a 14-day period from the time of last contact within the identified state."

States included in the order are: Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Nevada, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Utah.

Illinois Reports Lowest Number of Deaths in Single Day Since Late March

Illinois health officials reported 639 new cases of coronavirus on Sunday, but just six deaths as the state reported its lowest single-day increase in fatalities since late March.

According to data provided by the Illinois Department of Public Health, 7,020 individuals have now passed away due to coronavirus-related complications. Sunday’s six additional deaths are the smallest increase in the number of total fatalities since March 25, when three deaths were reported statewide.

With 639 new cases on Sunday, the total number of cases statewide since the pandemic began now stands at 147,251.

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