By Jerry Nowicki
The number of novel COVID-19 cases confirmed in Illinois surpassed 10,000 Saturday when the State reported 1,453 new cases and 33 more deaths.
The total number of casualties of the virus rose to 243, while confirmed cases grew to 10,357 and 53,581 have been tested, an increase of more than 5,100 from Friday. The number of confirmed cases is a single-day high for Illinois.
Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs director, Linda Chapa LaVia, of Aurora, said at the televised press conference Saturday, that an employee of the Prince Home for homeless veterans in Manteno tested positive for COVID-19. The facility is a stand-alone building on the Manteno campus that provides housing and supportive services for homeless veterans. The employee is at home and recovering, she said.
Still, Chapa LaVia said, there are no known cases in any residents of any State veterans homes.
“The home is following recommendations from local health officials with implementation assistance from the Department of Public Health to continue protecting everyone there,” Chapa LaVia said. “Our facilities are prepared for COVID-19. If cases do occur, we will work with the guidance from the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs, our local health officials, to isolate, hospitalize residents as appropriate, and protect other residents and our staff from transmittal.”
—Capitol News Illinois