Illinois reports 1,248 new COVID-19 cases, additional 24 virus-related deaths

Illinois reported its smallest COVID-19 caseload in nearly two months on Sunday.

State health officials reported 1,248 new coronavirus cases, the fewest cases reported in a day since March 22.

The new cases were detected among 52,013 tests processed by the Illinois Department of Public Health in the last day, which dropped the statewide seven-day positivity rate at an eight-week low of 2.4%.

Officials also reported an additional 24 virus-related deaths, bringing the state’s pandemic death toll to 22,439.

The Chicago area accounted for eight of Sunday’s fatalities, which included a Cook County man in his 20s.

Statewide, coronavirus hospitalizations have been on a gradual decline as Illinois recovers from its third viral resurgence. As of Saturday night, 1,581 beds were occupied by COVID-19 patients, with 404 of those patients in intensive care units and 218 on ventilators, officials said.

Nearly 10.4 million COVID-19 vaccine shots have now gone into the arms of Illinoisans since mid-December, including an additional 53,335 doses doled out Saturday, officials said.

As of Saturday night, 4,791,169 people in Illinois were fully vaccinated, meaning two weeks removed from their final dose, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health’s website. That’s about 37.6% of the state’s population.

The state averaged 66,728 shots given per day over the last week, an almost 49% decline over the last month. From April 10 through 16, Illinois administered an average of 129,664 vaccines per day.

Officials are urging more residents to roll up their sleeves and get the vaccine.

For help finding an appointment in Chicago, visit zocdoc.com or call (312) 746-4835.

For suburban Cook County sites, visit vaccine.cookcountyil.gov or call (833) 308-1988.

To find providers elsewhere, visit coronavirus.illinois.gov or call (833) 621-1284.