Illinois Infant Youngest to Die in the US after Testing Positive for COVID-19

The first infant under a year old dies after testing positive for the COVID-19 coronavirus in Springfield, Illinois. Sadly, the baby’s passing is just one of 13 new deaths in the state as of Saturday.

The Illinois Department of Public Health reported the first infant death associated with the COVID-19 virus on Saturday. 

FIRST REPORTED INFANT DEATH

According to IDPH Director, Dr. Ngozi Ezike, the department is investigating the infant’s death to determine the cause and added:

“We must do everything we can to prevent the spread of this deadly virus. If not to protect ourselves, but to protect those around us.”

NEW CASES REPORTED AS OF SATURDAY

The Public Health Department reported 465 new coronavirus cases in the state of Illinois on Saturday, which includes the death of the infant in Cook County.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker urged citizens to stay at home and adhere to social distancing protocols when outside, especially when the new 6 feet apart rule kicks in while shopping.

WHAT THE STATE IS DOING TO HELP

The McCormick Place Convention Center in Chicago is being converted into Illinois’ first “field hospital.” According to the Army Corps of Engineers’ commander, Lt. Gen. Todd Semonite, it would be able to accommodate up to 3,000 people upon completion by April 24. 

Taking pre-emptive measures, Gov. Pritzker said that they are “preparing for the worst” instead of waiting for it. 

All it takes is one person to infect countless others, and a recent story covered by The New York Times showed just how devastating it could be. 

THE IMPORTANCE OF SELF-ISOLATION

One evening the Fusco family invited people over for dinner - one of whom had been infected with the coronavirus. According to the publication, the family matriarch, Grace, along with two of her eleven children, died within days of each other after testing positive for the disease.

“If they’re not on a respirator, they’re quarantined. It is so pitiful,” a rep for the family said. “They can’t even mourn the way you would.”

Four more of Grace’s children are reportedly in the hospital due to the virus while the remainder of her family is quarantined at their homes.

THE MUSIC INDUSTRY LOSES A LEGEND

Similarly, country star Joe Diffie passed away two days after sharing his positive test results with followers on Friday. 

Known for his string of lighthearted country hits, the 61-year-old singer suffered complications related to the COVID-19 virus and passed away on Sunday.