Where Can You Get Tested for COVID-19 In Central Illinois?
For health questions about COVID-19, call the Illinois Department of Public Health hotline at 1-800-889-3931 or email dph.sick@illinois.gov. IDPH has also compiled a list of testing sites across the state, including information on testing eligibility and contact information. Public testing sites offer free testing regardless of insurance, with no need for a doctor’s referral. Illinois […]
Peaceful Protest In Champaign Draws Huge Crowd
CHAMPAIGN – Thousands gathered in the streets of downtown Champaign on Saturday afternoon for a peaceful march in support of the Black Lives Matter movement. The march, which was organized by local nonprofit Paign To Peace, drew people from across the county. Protesters gathered in Hessel Park around noon to meet and make signs, and […]
News Around Illinois – May 11, 2020
Illinois COVID-19 Cases Surpass 77,000, With More Than 3,400 Deaths CHICAGO — State officials reported 1,656 new COVID-19 cases in Illinois on Sunday, the lowest number reported in 24 hours in 19 days. 57 additional deaths were reported, the lowest number since May 4. The Illinois Department of Public Health says the total number of […]
News Around Illinois – May 8, 2020
Total Illinois COVID-19 Fatalities Surpass 3,000 CHICAGO – The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) reported 2,641 new COVID-19 cases Thursday, bringing the total to 70,873 cases. There have been a total of 3,111 deaths in the state. Gov. J.B. Pritzker says the state is building up capacity to process the large number of unemployment […]
News Around Illinois – May 7, 2020
Latinx Population Testing Positive For COVID-19 At Highest Rate In Illinois CHICAGO – Illinois saw 2,270 new COVID-19 cases Wednesday, bringing the state’s total to 68,232. 136 additional deaths in the last day brings the total fatalities to 2,974. The state’s Latinx population is becoming the hardest hit, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health […]
News Around Illinois – May 6, 2020
Gov. Pritzker: 5-Part Reopening Plan Dependent On Infections SPRINGFIELD — Illinois’ governor on Tuesday outlined a five-phase plan for reopening the state as the threat from COVID-19 subsides, but there were no surprises here — the speed with which normal activity returns still depends on vigilance against the coronavirus. Under pressure to show signs of […]
News Around Illinois – May 5, 2020
Gov. Pritzker Warns Illinois Cities That Re-Open Could Put Communities At Risk CHICAGO – Illinois reported 2,341 new cases of COVID-19 Monday, bringing the state total to 63,840. 46 additional deaths in the last day brings the total state fatalities to 2,662. Gov. J.B. Pritzker also responded to news that the mayor of East Peoria says […]
C-U Outdoor Farmers Markets Will Open, But With Changes
This weekend marks the opening of Market at the Square, Urbana’s outdoor farmers market held in the Lincoln Square Mall parking lot. Although it will open as scheduled, there will be social distancing measures in place to protect shoppers and vendors. For one, all shoppers are required to wear masks upon entry and are required […]
News Around Illinois – May 1, 2020
Modified Stay-At-Home Order Will Take Effect May 1 CHICAGO – The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) reported 2,563 new cases of COVID-19 in the state Thursday. That brings the total to 52,918 cases throughout 97 counties in Illinois. An additional 141 deaths were reported, bringing the total fatalities to 2,355. On Thursday, Gov. J.B. […]
Champaign County Planning To Offer COVID-19 Testing To All Nursing Home Residents
URBANA – All nursing home employees can now get tested for COVID-19, even if they’re not showing symptoms, thanks to the state loosening testing criteria last week to allow all health care and front line workers to qualify. But Champaign-Urbana Public Health Administrator Julie Pryde says she would like to further expand testing to include […]
News Around Illinois – April 30, 2020
Illinois COVD-19 Cases Surpass 50,000 CHICAGO – The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) announced a milestone of surpassing 50,000 COVID-19 cases in the state Wednesday, with a total of 50,355. There were an additional 2,253 cases reported in the last 24 hours. 92 new deaths in the last day brings the total fatalities to […]
News Around Illinois – April 28, 2020
Judge Rules Pritzker’s Stay-At-Home Order An Overreach CHICAGO — A judge in southern Illinois ruled Monday that the Illinois governor’s stay-at-home order to stem the spread of the coronavirus exceeds his emergency authority and violates individual civil rights. Clay County Circuit Judge Michael McHaney sided with Republican Rep. Darren Bailey’s lawsuit seeking to undo Democratic […]
News Around Illinois – April 27, 2020
Number of Virus Deaths Climbs To Nearly 2,000 In Illinois CHICAGO – The death toll of the coronavirus crisis inched closer to the 2,000 mark in Illinois, as state officials say that the virus had taken 59 more lives. Sunday’s announcement puts the number of people in Illinois killed by the virus at 1,933 and […]
News Around Illinois – April 24, 2020
Pritzker Extends Stay-at-Home Order Amid COVID-19 Spread SPRINGFIELD — The Illinois governor has extended his stay-at-home order through May 30 as the highly contagious COVID-19 continues its rounds. Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s decree had been scheduled to expire April 30. Pritzker said Thursday that he understands how much everyone wants their normal lives back, but that […]
Champaign County Loosens COVID-19 Testing Criteria
Criteria for COVID-19 testing in Champaign County have expanded to include anyone experiencing symptoms consistent with the disease. Awais Vaid, epidemiologist at the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District, says previously, the county had limited testing to people with symptoms who met other criteria set by the state’s department of public health and the U.S. Centers for […]