Nearly 1,000 new COVID-19 cases in the state

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Public Health announced 955 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the state, including 23 additional deaths. Laboratories have reported 29,745 total specimens over the past 24 hours. The IDPH reports that since the start of the pandemic, the state has seen 163,703 confirmed cases with 7,324. They also confirmed that the Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice’s St. Charles facility is reporting 16 new COVID-19 cases in staff, with 3 among youth. The facility is taking steps to reduce further spread.