Largest One-Day COVID-19 Caseload Reported Friday; Ezike Said It's Due to Increased Testing

The Illinois Department of Public Health Friday reported the largest number of positive coronavirus disease in a 24-hour period. 2,724 new cases of COVID-19 were reported in Illinois. There were 108 additional deaths reported Friday.

81 of the deaths were in Cook County. There were seven deaths in DuPage County; five deaths in Lake County and in Will County; two cases in Madison County and Kankakee County; and one death each in Boone, Clinton, Jefferson, McHenry, Sangamon and  Whiteside counties. 

Currently, IDPH is reporting a total of 39,658 cases, including 1,795 deaths, in 96 counties in Illinois.

For health questions about COVID-19, phone the hotline at 1-800-889-3931 or email dph.sick@illinois.gov.  

Asked about the lawsuit filed Thursday by St. Rep. Darren Bailey, Pritzker said he's depending on science, made note of the numbers being seen, and suggested the lawsuit is a "political maneuver". 

During a video conference Friday morning, Bailey's attorney said the suit is an effort to enjoin the governor from any extensions past the original April 8 deadline and to have the General Assembly consider whether any extensions should occur.