SEE IT: Illinois top doctor breaks down in tears delivering COVID update
Illinois' top doctor was moved to tears Friday as she delivered the latest coronavirus news in the state.
Dr. Ngozi Ezike has been part of the state’s daily COVID-19 briefings for more than seven months, and she broke down when delivering the news that 31 more people had died in the state and 3,874 had contracted the virus. (Ezike discusses the numbers at around the 17:30 mark of the video).
“Today, we are reporting 3,874 new cases, for a total of 364,033 cases since the start of this pandemic. Excuse me,” Ezike says. She then begins to cry, stepping away and turning away from the lectern.
Since March, 9,418 people have died from COVID-19 in Illinois. After Ezike finished her address, Gov. J.B. Pritzker supported her.
Pritzker noted Ezike’s normally unknown role as Illinois Department of Public Health Director has made her the target of online hate, harassment and abuse and led to protests at her house in the Chicago suburb of La Grange.
While Ezike powers through, health officials across the country have resigned during the pandemic. The highest-ranking of those leaders, Ohio health department director Dr. Amy Acton, quit after Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine didn’t listen to her recommendations.
Ezike urged people to continue wearing masks, social distancing and avoid COVID fatigue, even as the pandemic spirals into its eighth month in the country. Illinois recorded a daily record of coronavirus cases Saturday with more than 6,100.
