Tuesday’s coronavirus roundup: Special hours for shoppers with health problems
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Here’s a roundup of coronavirus news on Tuesday. We will be frequently updating this story throughout the day.
Stores offers special hours for some shoppers
Dierbergs grocery stores announced Tuesday it wants to reserve 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. each day for shoppers “who are at a higher risk of severe illness by COVID-19, which includes older adults (60+) and individuals who have compromised immune systems.”
“If you are healthy and not at-risk, we are asking you to not shop during these hours,” Greg Dierberg, president and CEO, said in a news release. “It is a small request, but may have a positive impact on this group that is most vulnerable.”
A sign in front of the Schnucks grocery store in Swansea on Tuesday said the store will have a senior shopping hour from 6 a.m. to 7 a.m. for customers 60 and over and for those with compromised immune systems.
Dollar General Corp. said it plans to dedicate the first hour of each shopping day to senior shoppers.
Target said it will “reserve the first hour of shopping each Wednesday for vulnerable guests — including elderly and those with underlying health concerns.” This practice is set to begin March 18.
Retail stores also are reducing hours overall to give employees a chance to restock and clean the buildings.
Catholic Masses suspended
The Belleville Diocese is temporarily suspending Masses during the coronavirus outbreak.
Bishop Edward K. Braxton will send an announcement to parishioners Wednesday explaining the decision, according to Monsignor John Myler, spokesman for the Diocese.
“Effective immediately, all Masses and liturgical services are temporarily suspended in the Diocese of Belleville,” Myler said in an email to the Belleville News-Democrat on Tuesday. “Bishop Edward K. Braxton will share by letter on Wednesday further details.”
Fourth St. Louis County confirmed case
The St. Louis County Department of Public Health announced its fourth confirmed case of coronavirus Tuesday evening. The patient is in the age range of 60 to 70 years old. The department said it is still investigating if the case is travel related or from community spread.
Hospitals restricting visitors
All BJC Healthcare locations have new restrictions on visitors that officials hope will protect patients and staff during the coronavirus outbreak, according to a news release from the organization.
Memorial hospitals in Belleville and Shiloh, Barnes-Jewish Hospital and St. Louis Children’s Hospital are among those affected by the measure.
The hospitals will only be allowing one visitor at a time for each patient, except in obstetrics and pediatrics, where two visitors will be allowed. Visitors who are younger than 16 years old and those who are experiencing signs of illness will not be allowed.
All visitors will also be asked screening questions. There could be more restrictions in place for patients in high-risk areas, including cancer, transplant and where patients have compromised immune systems.
Another case from southwestern Illinois
State officials announced a second coronavirus case in Clinton County, and said a Chicago woman is the first death in Illinois from the disease.
There are now four cases of coronavirus confirmed in the metro-east.
Cases statewide, nationwide
As of Tuesday afternoon, there were 160 people in Illinois who have tested positive for COVID-19, or the coronavirus, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health. Four of those people are in the metro-east, two in St. Clair County and two in Clinton County.
State officials have been updating the public each day if more cases are confirmed. Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s daily press conference is scheduled for 2:30 p.m.
There have been a total of 4,226 coronavirus cases in the U.S., according to the latest numbers available.
Madison County suspends bus fares
All bus fares will be waived on Madison County Transit District buses beginning Wednesday and the suspension will remain in place until further notice, the district announced Tuesday.
“Suspending fares during the COVID-19 pandemic eliminates the passing of cash, tokens and bus passes to and from passengers and drivers and significantly reduces driver-passenger contact,” the district said in a news release.
Air Force base declares emergency
Scott Air Force Base has declared a public health emergency on base, according to St. Clair County Board Chairman Mark Kern.
“This has led to specific actions to protect the health on the installation,” Kern said.
Kern made the announcement during a news conference Tuesday that was broadcast live on Facebook by the St. Clair County Emergency Management Agency. The declaration will be discussed in more detail during Friday’s 3:30 p.m. news conference, according to Kern.
Stores close
Some companies announced Tuesday that they would temporarily be closing their doors to the public.
Bath & Body Works and Macy’s each announced that they would close for now. Both companies have stores located inside St. Clair Square Mall in Fairview Heights.
The mall itself remained open Tuesday, but it said certain stores and restaurants were following their own corporate guidelines to change operating hours or to temporarily close, according to its website. A corporate spokeswoman for St. Clair Square could not immediately be reached for comment.
Missouri casinos close
Missouri Gov. Mike Parsons on Tuesday afternoon announced that casinos in the state would close. The closure begins at midnight Tuesday and ends March 30.
The Illinois Gaming Board also ordered the suspension of all video gaming Monday until March 30.
Rides to top of Arch stop
You won’t be able to visit the top of the Gateway Arch in an effort to prevent the spread of coronavirus, according to a news release from the National Park Service.
The transportation visitors normally take to the Arch’s observation deck, the “Tram Ride to the Top,” will be temporarily suspended beginning Tuesday.
The Gateway Arch visitor center, museum, park grounds and the Old Courthouse are still open for visitors.
It’s primary day
Tuesday’s primary election continued as planned, the Illinois State Board of Elections announced Monday afternoon.
Local election authorities received guidance from the Illinois Department of Public Health on preventing the spread of coronavirus at polling locations, including regular cleaning of tables, doorknobs, voting machines and other surfaces.
St. Louis resident has coronavirus
St. Louis officials announced the city’s first positive case of coronavirus on Monday.
The person who tested positive had taken an overseas trip and is now quarantined at home, according to officials.
Also on Monday, St. Louis County announced its third positive case. A total of eight people have tested positive for COVID-19, the coronavirus respiratory illness, in Missouri.
Cities respond to illness
Metro-east cities have been announcing measures to stop the virus from spreading.
Highland created an “incident command team” to coordinate its efforts. The team includes representatives from St. Joseph’s Hospital, Highland School District 5, the Highland-Pierron Fire Protection District and Madison County Health Department, along with the city’s public safety departments.
Others, like O’Fallon, placed limits on in-person meetings and face-to-face transactions.
Edwardsville moved its public meetings to a larger venue to allow for more distance between attendees. The city is also checking everyone’s temperature and asking them to wash their hands before entering.
Carlyle Lake closing to public
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers St. Louis District is closing all visitor centers, museums and beaches, including at Carlyle Lake, to the public beginning Wednesday. Day use areas and boat ramps will remain open and available.
Schools close
Starting Tuesday, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker has ordered all public and private schools in Illinois to close. Students will continue doing schoolwork from home. School buildings are expected to reopen March 30.
The students who qualify for free and reduced lunch will still have access to two meals a day during the closure, according to Pritzker.
Bars, restaurants close
Bars and restaurants are now closed to the public, except for pick-up orders and drive-thrus. Gov. J.B. Pritzker ordered them to close until March 30.
“I know it will be hard on small businesses,” Pritzker said. “I tried to appeal to everyone’s good judgment to avoid bars and not to congregate, but unfortunately many did not take that seriously ... The time for persuasion and public appeals is over. This is not a joke. No one is immune to this.”
Social Security offices close
All local Social Security offices stopped offering in-person services on Tuesday. Critical services will still be offered over the phone.
Online services are also available at socialsecurity.gov.
Driver services offices close
Driver services offices across the state will be closed from March 17-31.
Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White said the expiration dates for driver’s licenses, identification cards and vehicle registrations will be extended 30 days through an emergency rule, according to a news release.
Postponed and canceled events
The News-Democrat has compiled a list of postponed and canceled events in Illinois and St. Louis due to concerns about coronavirus.
You can find the list at BND.com.
Get the latest news on coronavirus
BND.com will keep you updated through the day and the week with any additional information about the spread of coronavirus through southwestern Illinois.
You can also find the most complete and up-to-date information from government sites including:
Illinois Department of Public Health: dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/diseases-and-conditions/diseases-a-z-list/coronavirus
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/cases-updates/summary.html
Federal government’s coronavirus page: cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
This story was originally published March 17, 2020 at 7:56 AM with the headline "Tuesday’s coronavirus roundup: Special hours for shoppers with health problems."
