CHICAGO – Sunday, IL Governor JB Pritzker was on CNN's "State of the Union" blasting the Trump Administration for their lack of assistance during the COVID-19 crisis.
Monday, a staffer working in close contact with Pritzker tested positive for COVID-19, his office said in a release Monday. Pritzker will now be self-quarantining per doctor's orders, and his nearly 20 Chicago staffers in the Thompson Building will now be working from home "for an appropriate isolation period." Daily press conferences will continue on the Governor's Facebook page.
"The asymptomatic staff member tested positive late last week and was in close contact with the Governor and other staff members. The Governor and all other staff reporting to the office tested negative. The Governor was tested again early on Sunday and tested negative," the release says.
Pritzker's staff members have undergone daily temperature checks, been wearing face coverings, social distancing and following "strict hygiene procedures," Pritzker's office said. "The office will undergo deep cleaning, and staff are monitoring themselves for symptoms."
Sunday, the first-term governor told CNN, "We're going it alone…"
During his second appearance in a month on CNN Jake Tapper's "State of the Union," Pritzker said. "We are being very careful. We've done a lot to make sure we're keeping these numbers moving in the right direction. And we will not reopen unless we meet all of the standards that I've set for doing so."
Last week, Pritzker announced a five-phase reopening plan and said Phase 3 of the "Restore Illinois" plan allowing manufacturing, offices, retail, barbershops and salons to reopen with restrictions won't begin until May 29, at the earliest. It all depends upon the numbers the Illinois Public Health Department accumulates, he said.
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