Illinois officials say patient has tested positive for coronavirus

A patient in Illinois has tested positive for coronavirus, according to state and county health officials.

The Illinois Department of Public Health and the Cook County Department of Public Health confirmed to The Hill on Saturday that the patient’s tests resulted in “presumptive positives” and will need to be confirmed by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). 

The patient is hospitalized in isolation and is being treated in compliance with CDC protocols. Public health officials are seeking people who were in contact with the patient to reduce the possible spread.

The state will request that the CDC send a team to Illinois to support their containment efforts. 

A Chicago couple was previously diagnosed with coronavirus, and both have made full recoveries.

Area residents have been encouraged to cover coughs and sneezes and wash their hands with warm water and soap.

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee (D) announced the first death in the United States from the coronavirus Saturday.