By Dave Dahl

SPRINGFIELD – Before an event in Springfield Friday, Gov. JB Pritzker said the state has already been preparing for coronavirus. The news had just broken that a Chicago woman is the second person in the U.S. to be diagnosed.

“Our Illinois state and local agencies, along with our federal counterparts, including the CDC, are highly involved in this coordinated response,” Pritzker said.

“As the international status of this virus evolves,” the governor continued, “I want to assure the people of Illinois that our health officials will continue to coordinate with federal officials in a robust manner, to take all precautions, and to communicate regularly with the public.”

“Because of these coordinated efforts,” said Dr. Ngozi Ezike, director of the Illinois Department of Public Health, “we believe the risk to the general public remains low.

Pritzker said people should do the same things they do during flu season: wash their hands, and see a doctor if you feel ill.

The Chicago patient was reported in stable condition.

Dave Dahl can be reached at [email protected]