SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — The Illinois governor on Wednesday continued to champion Illinois as a leader in testing for the coronavirus during a period when he faces some of the sharpest criticism for his social restrictions to stop the virus.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker said the state is averaging 52,000 tests daily to become “the best testing state between the two coasts.” Total testing topped 5 million on Monday.

Pritzker has faced recent criticism for refusing to backtrack on his decision to postpone some fall sports — including much-beloved high school football — because of the risk of transmitting COVID-19, the illness caused by coronavirus infection.