IDPH Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike clarified that it is dangerous to ingest or inject cleaning agents as a possible treatment for COVID-19. She said the Illinois Poison Control Center has received an elevated number of calls related to such poisonings, and reminded residents they can call the Poison Control Center 24 hours a day at 1-800-222-1222.

She reported an additional 2,100 confirmed cases of COVID-19, bringing the total confirmed cases to 41,777, and 80 additional deaths, bringing the total death toll to 1,874. Over the last 24 hours, she said the state has run nearly 12,000 coronavirus tests.

In taking reporter questions, Gov. JB Pritzker and Dr. Ezike addressed and clarified specific portions of the extended stay-at-home order.

BOATING:
The governor said the two-person limit for boating is exactly that – no more than 2 people on the boat regardless of family relationship. He was specifically asked if that meant a family of four would have to pick which two go out on a boat and he said yes.

DRIVE-IN MOVIES:
Dr. Ezike said her agency continues to think through a request from a suburban drive-in movie owner to begin showing movies in May.

“We’re not done thinking about that,” she said. “Potentially there is a way to do that.”

HAIR CUTS:
The governor was asked about hairdressers offering to do house calls.

He said that violates the stay-at-home order.

ROCKFORD TESTING:
The governor was asked if the Rockford testing site is for anyone or just people with symptoms?

Pritzker said people should have some symptom to seek the testing, but that it is a far looser standard than the “doctor’s order” initially required to get a test.

WORKERS COMP:
The governor was asked if the withdrawal of the emergency workers comp rule was an acknowledgement of a legal overreach.

He said the rule will be revisited and new one issued.

PUBLIC HEALTH DEMANDS:
In response to questions about local public health departments becoming overburdened, Dr. Ezike pointed out that public health at state and local level has not been a budget priority and now they are being asked to do more than they have ever done with resources and personnel that have dwindled for years.