673 New IL Coronavirus Cases Amid 'Battle To Save Your Life'

ILLINOIS — As President Donald Trump said he is preparing to issue new coronavirus containment guidelines — perhaps with more relaxed social distancing guidelines — authorities in Illinois implored residents to continue to stay at home and practice strict social distancing.

"I’m begging you to think of your fellow man, woman and child," Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike said Thursday as she announced an additional 673 coronavirus cases in Illinois, for a statewide total of 2,538 cases. "The interconnectedness between all of us is so clear — and we need our entire community" to help reduce the spread of coronavirus, she said.

Seven more Illinois citizens have died, bringing the state death toll to 26.

Illinois Coronavirus Update: 19 Deaths, 2,500 Cases

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"Don't become complacent," Ezike said. "It's the only way we're going to end this pandemic.

"We have to reduce the number of people who get ill, we have to reduce the number of deaths. We can end this pandemic."

Gov. J.B. Pritzker had even harsher words for those who continue to gather, even outdoors, to run in groups or play basketball.

"If you're doing these things, you are (metaphorically) spitting in the face of the doctors and nurses and first responders who are risking everything so that you can survive," he said. " We are quite literally in the middle of a battle to save your life."

Meanwhile, Trump "declared that a major disaster exists in the State of Illinois and ordered Federal assistance to supplement State, tribal, and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by" coronavirus on Thursday." That declaration makes federal funding available for crisis counseling for affected individuals in all areas in the State of Illinois.

Federal funding is also available to state and governments and certain private nonprofit organizations for emergency protective measures.

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Check back for updates as Gov. J.B. Pritzker's daily coronavirus update news conference continues.