Champaign County man dies from coronavirus

Public+Health+District+Administrator+Julie+Pryde+announces+the+first+death+due+to+COVID-19+in+Champaign+county+in+a+video+on+Friday.

Photo Courtesy of Champaign-Urbana Public Health District

Public Health District Administrator Julie Pryde announces the first death due to COVID-19 in Champaign county in a video on Friday.

By Ethan Simmons, News Editor

COVID-19 has taken its first life from Champaign County.

A Champaign County resident in his 80s has died from the coronavirus, Champaign-Urbana Public Health District Administrator Julie Pryde announced Monday afternoon in a Facebook video update.

Pryde said the man had underlying health conditions. According to Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike, 70% of people who have died from COVID-19 had underlying conditions such as heart disease, diabetes or high blood pressure.

“Champaign-Urbana Public Health District and our countywide community partners would like to extend our sincere condolences to the family and friends of this individual,” Pryde said in the video. “We encourage everyone to stay home as much as possible, and if you do not have to go out, please do not. Social distancing is key to slowing the spread of COVID-19.”

No further details have been released about the individual or his experience with the virus. Of Champaign County’s 63 confirmed cases of coronavirus, 22 have recovered.

Get The Daily Illini in your inbox!

  • Catch the latest on University of Illinois news, sports, and more. Delivered every weekday.
  • Stay up to date on all things Illini sports. Delivered every Monday.
Thank you for subscribing!

[email protected]