On Thursday, when asked if Chicago will go under a “shelter in place” order, Lightfoot’s press office sent the following response via email:
“We are exploring a number of other measures to try to flatten the curve. Our guidance to the public continues to evolve as the latest science-based recommendations from health officials is released, and we are committed to providing updates as soon as we have them,” the statement read. “We continue to strongly urge those who are sick stay home to avoid compromising others.”
At his daily press briefing, Pritzker said on March 19 that his team is evaluating “shelter in place” every day.
“Right now, case numbers are appearing to rise so rapidly because we are testing more,” he said.
In the beginning, the state administered about 200 tests a day. Today, the state is administering more than 1,000 tests a day. Pritzker said the number of tests per day will increase to more than 2,000 in the next couple of days.
“That’s why we’re starting to see an increase in the number of positives,” Pritzker said. However, he added, he doesn’t want the public to think that Illinois isn’t also seeing increases in the number of people contracting the virus as well.
“Because that also is happening,” Pritzker said.
According to Chicago health officials, COVID-19 symptoms are similar to those of acute respiratory disease, including a fever of 100.4 degrees F or higher, cough, shortness of breath, congestion in the nasal sinuses or lungs, sore throat, body aches and unusual fatigue.