CHICAGO — On Friday, Illinois Department of Health officials announced 488 new cases of COVID-19, including eight deaths.

The total number of cases in Illinois is now at 3,026, and the number of fatalities is at 34. Friday’s new cases are a drop from Thursday’s 673.

Bureau, Henry and Iroquois counties are now reporting cases.

Gov. JB Pritkzer laid out part of the state’s plan to help those who need it along with childcare for first responders. He also put out the call for more health care workers to sign up to help in the fight against COVID-19.

The governor said more than 500 former and retired health care workers have already signed up to help and he announced a new alert system for health care workers to help deploy them across the state. They still want more to sign up.

The governor also announced an increase to SNAP benefits to help some of the states most vulnerable. Millions more is going to help the homeless and get them safe shelter — that includes hotels and motels.

Pritzker touched on an increase in funding to child care centers who are helping first responders during this pandemic by giving them a safe place to bring their children.

While the governor praised lawmakers for passing the economic package, he chastised President Donald Trump for questioning the need for more ventilators and not using the Defense Production Act to get more ventilators and PPE made.