STATE OFFICIALS SAY WHILE COVID-19 CASES SEEM TO BE ON A DOWNWARD TREND, NOW IS NOT THE TIME TO LET UP ON TAKING SAFETY PRECAUTIONS.

EVEN THOUGH THERE DOESN'T APPEAR TO BE A BIG POST-THANKSGIVING CASE SURGE, FAMILIES SHOULD NOT TAKE THAT AS A FREE PASS TO HOLD LARGE HOLIDAY GET TOGETHERS. STATE PUBLIC HEALTH DIRECTOR DOCTOR NGOZI (en-gahzi) EZIKE (eh-zee-kay) IS MAKING A SPECIAL APPEAL TO YOUNG ADULTS WHO DON'T THINK THEY NEED TO WORRY ABOUT GETTING SICK.

GOVERNOR J-B PRITZKER IS AGAIN ASKING FAMILIES TO NOT HOLD BIG FAMILY GATHERINGS FOR THE HOLIDAYS, BUT TO INSTEAD CELEBRATE WITH YOUR IMMEDIATE FAMILY OR OPEN PRESENTS VIRTUALLY. HE SAYS THE CHANCE OF TRANSMISSION IS JUST STILL TOO HIGH.

THE GOVERNOR SAYS HE IS HOPEFUL THAT IF EVERYONE SOCIALLY DISTANCES, STAYS HOME AND CONTINUES TO WEAR A MASK, THAT OFFICIALS CAN EASE SOME OF THE COVID RESTRICTIONS IN COMING WEEKS.

AND WHILE THE NUMBER OF DAILY COVID CASES HAS BEEN UNDER 10 THOUSAND FOR A WEEK NOW...PATIENT DEATHS HAVE BEEN INCREASING IN RECENT DAYS.