CHICAGO — Gov. J.B. Pritzker discussed the at-risk populations of COVID-19 Friday at his daily news conference.
In particular, he stated that disadvantages that black communities suffer throughout Illinois as it relates to health care. Those communities typically have less health care options around them than others, so the novel coronavirus has hit those communities harder than others, according to Pritzker.
“Generations of systemic disadvantages in health care delivery and in health care access in communities of color, and black communities in particular, are now amplified in this crisis,” said Pritzker.
According to IDPH Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike, the mortality rates in black people are five times higher than white people.
In response, the IDPH has formed the COVID-19 Equity Team to identify ways in which to assist disadvantaged communities.
Pritzker also announced that a drive-thru location would be up and running on the South side of Chicago by the beginning of next week.
The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) Friday announced 1,465 new cases of COVID-19 in Illinois, including 68 additional deaths.
Currently, IDPH is reporting a total of 17,887 cases, including 596 deaths, in 83 counties in Illinois. The age of cases ranges from younger than one to older than 100 years.
