COVID-19 claims 47 more lives, Illinois toll now at 8,743
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - Illinois public health officials say at least 8,743 people have died in the state due to COVID-19, including 47 confirmed deaths reported Friday.
The latest daily death toll is the highest for Illinois in three months. The Illinois Department of Public Health reports 2,206 more people were confirmed to carry the virus, after 72,691 were tested, bringing the state's seven-day positivity rate to 3.4%.
Over the last six months, almost 5.8 million COVID-19 tests have been administered in Illinois, and 297,646 people have tested positive.
As of Thursday night, 1,678 Illinois coronavirus patients were hospitalized, with 373 receiving intensive care and 162 on ventilators.
Health officials say nearly a third of the state's 102 counties are considered to be at a coronavirus warning level.