Information in the COVID-19 pandemic is evolving rapidly, so to help keep WGN viewers informed with the latest updates, follow our live blog for May 1, 2020.
These updates will mostly focus on the Chicago area, but will include some national and international news as well.
Newest updates are at the top of this post.
3:10 p.m.
During his daily news briefing, Gov. JB Pritzker said he is considering gradually re-opening regions of the state that are seeing infection rates and ICU occupancy decline for 14 straight days prior to May 30.
Illinois health officials also announced 3,137 cases of COVID-19 across the state in the past 24 hours, and 105 additional deaths.
2:30 p.m.
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker holds his daily coronavirus briefing:
2:15 p.m.
Indiana has announced a five-step plan to reopen its economy. Lake County will have to wait until May 11 to begin the plan due to a high number of coronavirus cases.
12:50 p.m.
The Illinois Supreme Court has postponed the state’s bar exam until September because of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a news release. The exam was originally scheduled for late July.
11:15 a.m.
The Indiana State Department of Health announced Friday a state total of 18,630 cases and 1,062 deaths.
11:00 a.m.
The Office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County said Friday that one employee has received a positive test result after taking a COVID-19 antibody blood test.
Employees identified as having been in close contact with the individual who received the positive antibody blood test result, have been notified of the potential exposure to COVID-19
Twenty employees of the Office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County have tested positive for COVID-19. One employee has tested positive for the coronavirus antibodies blood test.
10:10 a.m.
An Illinois pork processing plant that closed after some employees tested positive for COVID-19 will reopen in phases.
The Smithfield Foods in Monmouth will begin some operations Saturday, and then more on Monday.
The plant produces 3% of the U.S. pork supply.
Earlier this week, President Trump signed an executive order to keep meat processing plants open under the Defense Production Act amid concerns of a food shortage.
8 a.m.
Alivio Medical Center will begin drive-thru testing for COVID-19 Friday. Tests will be available at the locations in Pilsen, 966 W 21st St., and Berwyn, 6447 W. Cermak Rd. Anyone can be tested at these sites without a doctor’s order and regardless of ability to pay.
Alivio will test any essential workers, people with symptoms, or people who have been exposed to someone with the virus. There are limited slots for drive-thru tests, and they encourage calling in advance to schedule a test.
7:30 a.m.
Starting today, all Chicago residents and visitors over the age of two and for whom wearing a face-covering is medically feasible will be required to wear a face-covering or a mask when in a public place where they can’t maintain a six-foot social distance.
