Illinois Department of Public Health

Though some students could start learning remotely due to the coronavirus, the Illinois Department of Public Health issued a reminder Tuesday of the importance of receiving vaccinations for a variety of diseases. IDPH reminded that vaccines help protect children from diseases such as chickenpox and pertussis, which remain common in the U.S. Dr. Ngozi Ezike, director of IDPH, said...

Illinois health officials reported more than 1,500 new cases of coronavirus on Friday and 19 additional deaths attributed to the virus as state health officials remain concerned about a growing number of cases.

Illinois health officials reported more than 1,600 new cases of coronavirus on Thursday and 20 additional deaths as experts express concern over the state’s growing numbers.

Cook County reached a grim milestone on Wednesday, becoming just the second county in the U.S. to top 100,000 coronavirus cases since the pandemic began.

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker repeated claims Wednesday that the state won’t hesitate to impose “additional mitigations” if a region reaches a set of metrics laid out by public health officials during the coronavirus pandemic. “We’re counting on city and county leaders doing what they know is right to protect their residents and we’re counting on local residents to hold...

Illinois’ top health official said Wednesday the state’s rising number of infections isn’t due to a record amount of testing being conducted statewide. “We have seen an increase in cases and I know some people say, ‘Oh, it’s just because there’s more testing’ – there’s a way to look at that actually,” Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr....

Illinois health officials reported nearly 1,600 new cases of coronavirus on Wednesday and 23 additional deaths – numbers the state’s governor called “very concerning.” According to officials, the 1,598 new cases Wednesday mark the highest daily rise for the month of July so far and bring the state’s total number of coronavirus cases to 165,301 since the pandemic began. The…

Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike compares wearing a mask in public to wearing a seatbelt in a vehicle, urging residents to continue to comply with health guidance as the coronavirus pandemic continues.

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker updates on coronavirus pandemic in the state on July 22.

Illinois health officials reported 955 new cases of coronavirus on Tuesday, as well as 23 additional deaths as a result of the virus.

Illinois health officials reported 1,173 new cases of coronavirus on Monday, as well as six additional deaths as a result of the virus. According to officials, those new cases bring the state’s total number of coronavirus cases to 162,748 since the pandemic began. The six additional deaths give the state a total of 7,301 fatalities related to the virus. Illinois…

There are no hugs allowed, but for Marie and Jacee Brija, just sitting across from each other is enough. “It’s a little bit of heaven, that’s all I can tell you,” said Marie Brija, 84, a resident of Bridgeview Health Care Center. “I’ve waited so long.” It’s been four months since families have been able to visit loved ones...

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.

Illinois residents can track coronavirus cases in their neighborhood using ZIP code data from the state’s department of public health. The interactive map below allows residents to track cases by ZIP code and county. Additional information including race demographics, age demographics, gender and total number of people tested is also available on the IDPH website. The health department notes...

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker testified before the U.S. House Committee on Homeland Security Wednesday, arguing for a national mask mandate and coordinated strategy.

An additional 462 coronavirus cases and 26 more deaths were reported in Illinois Monday, according to state health officials. The newly-reported cases bring the statewide total since the pandemic began to 137,224 cases and 6,671 deaths. The state also reported 18,219 total test specimens returned to state labs in the last 24 hours. The latest increase brings the state to…

The Illinois Department of Public Health announced Saturday an investigation into the sudden increase of foodborne illnesses in the state. Health officials received confirmation of approximately 23 cases of foodborne illnesses that appear to be linked to an outbreak of cyclosporiasis, an intestinal illness caused by a microscopic parasite. IDPH has seen cases since mid-May, with an initial investigation linked…

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…