Dr. Ngozi Ezike

While coronavirus metrics are stable for the majority of Illinois’ 102 counties, as of Friday night, four counties are seeing increased risks of the virus, according to publicly available data from the Illinois Department of Public Health. In late June, state health officials launched a color-coded county map that offers a look at how each county fares based on “indicators”…

From schools reopening to masks, Dr. Emily Landon, Dr. Allison Foster and Dr. Derek Robinson talk with NBC 5’s Lauren Petty and answer your top questions about coronavirus.

The American Red Cross began testing all blood, platelet and plasma donations for COVID-19 antibodies on Monday. The new test could indicate if the donor’s immune system has previously produced antibodies to the coronavirus, whether or not the individual experienced symptoms. “As an organization dedicated to helping others, the Red Cross is pleased to provide more information about COVID-19...

Illinois’ top public health official on Friday asked residents to accept calls from contact tracers as reports of contact tracing scams continue to circulate in Illinois and throughout the United States. Contact tracers are tasked with calling those who test positive for the coronavirus and all their contacts to encourage them to monitor symptoms and self-quarantine. Tracers will often send…

May 29, 2020: More than 1,600 new coronavirus cases were reported in Illinois as nearly all of the state eases restrictions, entering a third phase of reopening Friday.

With much of Illinois just days away from the next phase of reopening, Dr. Ngozi Ezike announced more than 1,100 new coronavirus cases and 39 additional deaths.

An additional 2,758 coronavirus cases were reported in Illinois Friday, with much of the state on track to enter phase three of the state’s reopening plan in one week. The new cases lift the statewide total 105,444. Health officials also confirmed 110 additional deaths in the last 24 hours. The state’s death toll is now at 4,715, according to data…

Illinois marked a single-day record for coronavirus testing Thursday as an additional 2,268 coronavirus cases were reported statewide, bringing the state’s total number of cases to 102,686. Health officials also confirmed 87 additional deaths in the last 24 hours. The state’s death toll is now at 4,607, according to data released by the Illinois Department of Public Health. One day…

May 21 briefing: Dr. Ngozi Ezike reveals the latest coronavirus data for Illinois.

Dr. Ngozi Ezike, director of the Illinois Department of Public Health, says that the state is continuing to review data about deaths related to coronavirus, but that there are a number of challenges involved when trying to parse out whether a person died with COVID-19 as a directly contributing factor, or whether they just died while sick with the disease….

Dr. Ngozi Ezike uses a domino reference to explain the importance of social distancing even as Illinois prepares for next phase of reopening.

May 12 briefing: During her daily press statement Tuesday, Dr. Ngozi Ezike said that she has heard concerns about the methods the state is using to report coronavirus deaths, and assured residents that the state is working to make sure that their counts are as accurate as possible.

Dr. Ngozi Ezike, director of the Illinois Department of Public Health, dismissed claims that the state is overstating the number of coronavirus-related deaths amid the ongoing pandemic, saying that only deaths of patients with laboratory-confirmed cases of the virus are being counted in the official tally. During her daily press statement Tuesday, Ezike said that she has heard concerns about…

Illinois officials say the state has received 140 cases of remdesivir, a drug that has been given emergency approval by the Food and Drug Administration for use in the treatment of coronavirus patients. According to Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike, the state received 140 cases of the drug on Saturday. The cases had enough vials to…

After travel heavily ceased to limit the spread of COVID-19, hundreds are now returning to airports causing concern. NBC 5’s Lisa Chavarria reports.

May 5 briefing: Dr. Ngozi Ezike details latest coronavirus numbers for Illinois.

The town of Cicero filed a lawsuit Friday against City View Multicare Center, accusing the facility of negligence in failing to prevent a coronavirus outbreak. Over 160 residents and more than 40 staff members at City View have contracted the coronavirus, according to Cicero Town Spokesman Ray Hanania. However, the Illinois Department of Public Health website lists 34 cases and…

Following an outbreak of coronavirus cases, Cicero town officials have filed a lawsuit accusing a local nursing home of negligence. NBC 5’s Lexi Sutter reports.

The director of the Illinois Department of Public Health has released new numbers on the number of coronavirus patients who have fully recovered from the illness. During a coronavirus press briefing on Tuesday, Dr. Ngozi Ezike said that nearly 75 percent of those patients responding to a survey from the health department said that they had fully recovered approximately four…

A judge has ruled against Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, issuing a restraining order to a lawmaker suing over the extension of the state’s stay-at-home order, potentially putting the statewide plan in jeopardy. Susan Carlson reports.