Daywatch: COVID-19 deaths hit two-week low in Illinois, United Airlines slashing jobs and Chicago lands James Beard Award nominations

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Good morning, Chicago. Here’s the coronavirus news and other top stories you need to know to start your day.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Monday announced 2,341 new known coronavirus cases, along with 46 more deaths, bringing statewide totals to 63,840 known cases and 2,662 deaths

In the U.S., there have been more than 1.1 million people infected as the death toll neared 69,000 on Monday, according to a tally by Johns Hopkins University

Worldwide, nearly 3.6 million infections and more than 251,000 deaths have been recorded, according to Johns Hopkins University on Monday

Illinois reports the fewest coronavirus deaths in two weeks, but Gov. J.B. Pritzker urges longer view in fight against COVID-19

Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Monday reported the fewest daily deaths related to the new coronavirus in more than two weeks, and also announced fewer people were hospitalized with COVID-19 than a week earlier.

But he cautioned against reading too much into those small positive signs.

United Airlines plans to cut more than 3,400 management jobs. Chicago could be especially hard-hit.

United Airlines plans to eliminate more than 3,400 management and administrative positions Oct. 1 as the airline reels from the coronavirus pandemic that has brought air travel to an almost standstill. Chicago, United’s hometown, could be especially hard-hit.

The drug remdesivir got emergency use clearance from the FDA. What will that mean for treating COVID-19?

Though the federal government has cleared the antiviral drug remdesivir to treat some COVID-19 patients, don’t expect it to be put into routine use anytime soon. The emergency use authorization granted Friday by the Food and Drug Administration allows the drug to be given to patients with COVID-19 only if they are severely ill — with blood oxygen levels at 94% or lower, or otherwise requiring supplemental oxygen.

Drive-thru graduation? How Illinois high school commencement ceremonies might look this spring amid COVID-19 pandemic

Drive through, drive in or tune in to graduation ceremonies for the class of 2020. But expect no person-to-person transfer of diplomas, hugs or handshakes. The Illinois State Board of Education and Illinois Department of Public Health have provided new guidance for holding ceremonies while the coronavirus pandemic continues, with creative suggestions for recognizing graduates while adhering to social distancing mandates.

Can a school grading system put into place because of the coronavirus shutdown be unfair even if no student can get an F? CPS critics say yes. Here’s why.

Chicago lands eight nominations in James Beard Awards

Monday was supposed to be the day of the James Beard Foundation Awards, when the winners in the Restaurant and Chef Awards category were to be announced at a black-tie gala in Chicago. But the coronavirus shutdown postponed — well, everything. And so the JBF picked Monday to announce the award nominees, a list that, under ordinary circumstances, would have been issued weeks ago.