Nursing homes spur COVID-19 deaths
State toll drops to 33 Sunday after tying single-day high of 125
Nursing homes and other facilities providing long-term care have proved to be susceptible to COVID-19 outbreaks. (Shutterstock)
By Ted Cox
Deaths at nursing homes attributed to COVID-19 account for almost a quarter of all coronavirus deaths statewide, according to information released Sunday by the Pritzker administration.
COVID-19 deaths reported over the weekend went from tying a single-day high of 125 on Saturday to dropping to just 33 on Sunday. That brought the statewide toll to 1,290 Illinoisans who’ve died from the coronavirus.
The Illinois Department of Public Health reported 1,197 new cases Sunday, bringing the state total to 30,357 in 93 of the 102 total counties.
Of those, according to the Office of the Governor, 1,896 cases were found at long-term-care facilities, such as nursing homes, where 286 have died from the disease.
The state has targeted nursing homes for testing and treatment, much as it has for African Americans and Hispanics, who also have borne a disproportionate impact of the pandemic in Illinois.
A nursing home was where the coronavirus first gained hold in Washington state, and they’ve been susceptible to infection across the nation. Gov. Pritzker shut down visits to nursing homes in Illinois, but they’ve still been vulnerable. The Symphony of Joliet home has reported 25 deaths, including 24 residents and a staffer.
Pritzker has called for more testing across the state, especially in targeted communities, but Illinois has yet to reach his goal of 10,000 in a day. U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth blamed the Trump administration for inadequate testing across the country over the weekend, tweeting: “Illinois had its deadliest weekend from the COVID-19 pandemic and we need more tests, more contact tracing, more ventilators and more (personal protective equipment). We aren't getting it. It's basically criminal what Trump is doing when it comes to failing to provide the resources all of our states need.”
Back in Illinois on Sunday, state Rep. Greg Harris of Chicago urged self-employed contractors, freelancers, tip workers like waiters, and gig workers like ride-share drivers who’ve lost their income to apply for unemployment benefits under the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program approved by Congress in a coronavirus relief package. Harris advised so-called 1099 workers — known by the annual income statement they receive instead of the W-2 for salaried employees — should apply for unemployment through the Illinois Department of Economic Security website, according to its alphabetized enrollment schedule.
“IDES has told us their system is now ready to accept applications, so you may apply now, and IDES says payments will be processed on May 11,” Harris wrote in a newsletter to constituents. “There are two reasons you should start applying for these (unemployment-insurance) benefits now. First, the legal definition of an independent contractor is stricter than the common understanding, so you may actually be eligible for traditional UI benefits. Second, even if you are deemed ineligible for regular benefits, the IDES IT platform will now automatically move your claim to the correct program for processing. IDES plans to start issuing (Pandemic Unemployment Assistance) payments by May 11. Benefit claims will be backdated to the date of your job loss, so you will not be penalized for any application delays. Please note that because the earnings requirement is different under PUA, IDES may reach out to you to obtain proof of income.”
Harris also reminded those who’ve lost their jobs and their employer-based health insurance that is a “qualifying life event” allowing them to enroll with a program through the Affordable Care Act. Jobless workers have 60 days after being laid off to apply through the online marketplace.