Nearly 1,200 positive virus tests reported in Illinois

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - Nearly 1,200 new confirmed cases of the coronavirus have been reported in Illinois, state health officials announced Saturday.

The Illinois Department of Public Health said 1,195 cases have been added to statewide testing results, bringing the total number of cases since the start of the pandemic to 152,962.

Officials estimate 94% of Illinoisans who have tested positive for the virus later recovered.

An additional 24 people have died of COVID-19 according to the state's Saturday update, bringing the total number to 7,168 since the start of the pandemic.

Saturday marks the third consecutive day that new confirmed cases in the state topped 1,000. Until Thursday, daily updates had not reached that threshold since June 5.

The state's seven-day average rate of positive tests out of all performed is 3%.

Illinois officials have urged residents to follow public health guidance to limit the spread of the virus, including wearing face coverings outside the home and staying physically distant from others.