6:35 p.m. ET, April 11, 2020
There were 19 homicides in Chicago in a five-day period despite the coronavirus pandemic
From CNN’s Omar Jimenez and Brad Parks
Chicago saw an uptick in violent crime this week, despite the coronavirus pandemic, according to Chicago police data.
There were 19 homicides and 44 people were shot in Chicago from Sunday to Thursday, police data shows.
"Crime overall in Chicago has ebbed and flowed," Chicago police spokesman Anthony Guglielmi tells CNN. "We’ve had days like last week where we have 14 shot in 12 hours."
Guglielmi says it has been a trying time for the Chicago Police Department.
It’s a huge battle for us to try and keep them engaged and positive. Their friends are dying," Guglielmi said.
"In order to be able to do that effectively, we have to make sure our officers are supported."
At least 237 members of the Chicago Police Department have tested positive for coronavirus, interim Chicago Police Superintendent Charlie Beck said at a press conference Saturday morning.