PEORIA -- With the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases hitting 4 million this week, experts say that the actual number of cases is probably much greater -- potentially 10 times higher.
The U.S. is leading the world in the number of deaths, with more than 143,000, according to the Centers for Disease Control.
This week, the CDC also released guidelines if schools plan to reopen this fall: students should wear face masks, wash their hands frequently and social distance.
Illinois coronavirus cases
With coronavirus hot spots popping up across the U.S., Illinois also is seeing a slow rise in the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases.
On Thursday, the Illinois Department of Public Health reported the highest one-day case total since May 25, with 1,624 new cases. The seven-day positivity rate increased from 3.2% to 3.4% the day before, with 39,706 tests administered over the previous 24 hours.
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Since the pandemic began, Illinois has seen more than 168,000 cases, including more than 1,500 cases announced Friday, and 7,385 virus-related deaths overall.
3D artist makes and donates face shields
Based in Shelbyville, 3D mixed media artist Ioan Florea is making face shields from a special plastic made from renewable sugarcane.
A Netherlands-based company which produces biodegradable polymer from renewable resources donated a metric ton of plastic for the artist to use.
Florea has donated the face shields to hospitals across Illinois, including OSF Health Care in Peoria, St. Mary's Hospital in Decatur, and HSHS St. John's in Springfield, and far away as New York.