The McLean County Health Department reported two new confirmed cases of COVID-19 on Sunday, bringing the total to 77.
Three people remain hospitalized, 28 are in home isolation, and 44 have recovered, according to the department. Two people have died.
Statewide, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) announced 1,672 new cases of coronavirus, including 43 additional deaths. IDPH has reported a total of 20,852 cases, including 720 deaths, in 86 Illinois counties.
Gov. JB Pritzker said the state has ramped up the number of tests administered for the disease, but the percentage showing positive remains about the same.
“I’ve spoken before about a stabilizing or bending of the curve and today is one more piece of evidence that it indeed may be happening,” said Pritzker.
The number of deaths reported Sunday was the lowest in six days.
The governor said he’s cautiously optimistic, but it's too soon to make predictions, such as when restrictions on non-essential businesses might be lifted. The stay-at-home order remains in effect until the end of the month. Pritzker said he doesn’t want to make changes that would lead to a large spike in cases.
The governor said health care experts indicate the state might be at – or near – a peak in the COVID-19 battle.
“But they also say we need to stay the course, to keep the progress going that we’ve already made,” said Pritzker, who credited the result to Illinois adopting a stay-at-home order before most other states.
The governor refused to speculate if that order will be lifted when it’s set to expire at the end of April.
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