Illinois announces 57 additional deaths, 1,656 new cases of coronavirus

Illinois officials on Sunday announced 1,656 new cases of COVID-19, with 57 additional deaths reported.

After five days of reporting at least 100 statewide deaths, the number of fatalities in the state dropped significantly on Sunday. With the virus affecting all but four of the state’s 102 counties, Illinois’ death toll reached 3,406 as the number of cases jumped to 77,741, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health.

All told, 13,653 tests were conducted in the past 24 hours, with just over 12% coming back positive. On Friday, the state reached Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s goal of conducting more than 20,000 daily tests for the first time, though the daily testing numbers dropped well below that benchmark both days this weekend.

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While Pritzker stopped holding weekend press briefings on Saturday, he appeared on CNN Sunday morning and complained that states have been left to “go it alone” when it comes to ramping up testing. The governor has made it clear that more testing is fundamental to the state’s ability to reopen the economy while controlling the spread of COVID-19.

“I have not been counting on the White House because there have been too many situations in which they’ve made promises not delivered,” Pritzker said when asked whether he needs President Donald Trump to help Illinois increase testing.