The response to the growing number of cases of the coronavirus led to Illinois Governor JB Pritzker closing Illinois bars and restaurants effective at the close of business Monday night and to last until Monday, March 30.
Governor Pritzker was disappointed his pleas for Illinois residents to remain home did not resonate and so he called the decision to close restaurants and bars difficult but necessary.
Additionally, 29 new cases of coronavirus are in Illinois and the cases include new areas of Illinois. Public Health Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike says Champaign County is among counties will first-time cases along with cases now more widespread in southern Illinois.
Dr. Ezike says to assume the virus is in your community. She continues to remind residents to practice safe health habits if you must go out and points out the virus seems to impact people with severe chronic health conditions the most.
Additionally, the Governor urged healthy individuals to give blood as the American Red Cross is reporting a severe blood shortage. He indicates they are taking proper precautions to keep individuals at a safe distance in those settings.
The number of Illinois counties with the coronavirus is now 13.
Hear Governor JB Pritzker's daily press briefings on The Big 1520 AM/92.3 FM/106.5 FM WHOW, online at dewittdailynews.com, at the WHOW mobile app and at Amazon Alexa. The briefings are held daily at 2:30 though some days they are adjusted.
