On Sunday, IDPH Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike reported 1,105 new confirmed cases of COVID-19, and 18 deaths, bringing the total infections to more than 4,500 and the total death toll in Illinois to 65.

Gov. Pritzker focused his comments today on the progress Illinois has made ramping up its testing capabilities, while also directing criticism at the federal government for failing to make tests sufficiently available to states. He also asked the federal government to waive requirements limiting testing to 250 per day at drive-thru facilities, a requirement he said is holding back the facilities' ability to test more people per day. He said the state is adding a second state and Illinois National Guard run drive-thru facility. This one will be in McLean County (Bloomington).

The state is now processing 4,000 tests per day. He said the goal within the next 10 days is to ramp testing up to 10,000 per day.

Pritzker said that while containment is no longer the immediate goal, wider testing will equip scientists and statisticians with a clearer picture, and one more accurate to Illinois in particular, rather than an extrapolation of the virus' spread in other countries.

Referencing news items from other states, the governor also told nurses and medical personnel that they should not fear eviction on the basis of their profession due to fears they may carry the infection. He directed any medical personnel who may face such a situation to reach out to the Lawyers Committee For Civil Rights Under Law for assistance. He also reiterated that evictions of any kind are currently under a moratorium.

"We've not yet specifically heard of instances like that here in Illinois, but let me be very clear, that will not be tolerated in our state," Pritzker said. "Here in Illinois we are fortunate to have a strong community of attorneys who are ready to fight for nurses and all health care workers to make sure their rights are protected."

The governor was asked if he felt all forest preserves should be shut down.

He said the mayor shut down the lakefront because people were abusing the social distancing/stay-at-home order and that according to the Cook County Board President, that hasn’t been happening with the forest preserves.

Dr. Ezike was asked what information was available regarding the infant whose death was reported yesterday. She said the investigation is ongoing and because of both the unusualness of it and the interest in the situation they are being very deliberate in what is said. “We are trying to gather all the data before speaking.”

She and the governor said the research and reports from around the world they’ve reviewed show children usually only see cold-like symptoms, not severe pulmonary problems.