Madison County officials report first coronavirus death; 73 in state in 24 hours

EDWARDSVILLE — Madison County officials reported its first COVID-19 death on Tuesday — a woman in her 80s.

Madison County Coroner’s Office notified the Madison County Health Department of an 86-year-old woman who died at the hospital from coronavirus. To respect the privacy of the patient, no additional information will be released.

“On behalf of the Madison County officials, we extend our deepest sympathies to the woman’s loved ones during this time of loss,” Chairman Kurt Prenzler said. “Our hearts go out to the family, friends and neighbors who are grieving.”

Madison County reported 66 confirmed cases on Tuesday, including this first death.

Monroe County also reported its first death on Tuesday, a man in his 80s.

Meanwhile, St. Clair County now has reported four deaths.

COVID-19 has claimed 73 lives in the past 24 hours and a member of Gov. JB Pritzker’s staff has tested positive for the virus and is on home isolation, he announced at a daily briefing Tuesday.

The largest single-day increase in deaths pushed the number of casualties from the virus in Illinois to 380, while the total number of confirmed cases in the state grew to 13,549, an increase of 1,287 from Monday. The virus is now confirmed in 77 Illinois counties.

The latest deaths occurred in people aged in their 30s to their 90s in 14 counties – Champaign, Christian, Cook, DuPage, Ford, Kane, Kankakee, Lake, Madison, McHenry, Monroe, Tazewell, Will and Winnebago.

Coles, Lawrence, Richland and Shelby counties each reported their first confirmed cases.

Pritzker said at his daily briefing in Chicago that the share of intensive care beds occupied by COVID-19 patients in Illinois grew to 43 percent, from 38 percent last Tuesday, and the share of available ventilators used by COVID-19 patients grew to 29 percent Tuesday, from 24 percent last week.

Pritzker said the employee from his office started to feel ill on Thursday, March 26, and immediately went home, at which time the governor’s office was thoroughly cleaned. The employee has been in self-isolation for 12 days and no other people from the office have shown symptoms, Pritzker said.

“Following the staffer’s exit from the office, we reduced in the office staff in the governor’s office even further to a critical few, asking all of those who are staying at home to self-isolate as the medical professionals advised,” Pritzker said.

Prenzler emphasized the importance of staying home as the virus continues to spread. He said the public must continue to do their part to keep each other safe.

The public should only go out if it’s essential — to work, to buy groceries or to get prescriptions.

Madison County Health Department is continuing to follow the recommendations of the Illinois Department of Public Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to help slow the spread of the virus. The public should continue to practice social distancing and good health hygiene — washing hands, wearing a mask when going out and sanitizing and disinfecting surfaces.

“We know this is a hardship for many, but this is about protecting the health and well-being of everyone,” Prenzler said.

For the latest information on COVID-19 or coronavirus resources, visit the Madison County Health Department online at www.madisonchd.org or on Facebook @MadisonCHD. Also visit www.co.madison.il.us for more news and a daily update or on Facebook @MadisonCountyIL.