ILLINOIS — Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker has extended the state’s stay-at-home order through the end of April in an effort to stop the spread of COVID-19. Pritzker’s move matches an order from President Donald Trump yesterday to maintain social distancing until April 30. As of Tuesday afternoon, the state of Illinois had 5,994 confirmed cases of coronavirus and 99 deaths.
Earlier this week, Pritzker unveiled plans to temporarily convert part of the McCormick Place Convention Center into an alternate care facility for COVID-19 patients with mild symptoms who don’t require intensive care. The additional capacity at McCormick Place will build on efforts to relieve pressure on the hospital system. The state and city of Chicago are working with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to build the temporary healthcare setting.
The buildout will take place in phases, with up to 500 beds expected to be assembled by the end of this week. Between three different locations, the facility will have capacity to care for up to 3,000 patients. To expedite construction, Pritzker has also activated 30 airmen from the Illinois National Guard to assist with the general labor associated with the project. The buildout of the facility will be supported by $15 million in federal funding from FEMA. State and city officials say they are anticipating a surge in hospitalizations related to COVID-19 in the coming weeks based on data and trends exhibited in other large cities.