Wednesday’s coronavirus roundup for southwestern Illinois: 20 things you need to know
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Keep up with all the coronavirus news in southwestern Illinois
Stay updated with the events in southwestern Illinois that have been canceled or postponed because of coronavirus concerns.
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Here’s a roundup of coronavirus news on Wednesday. We will be frequently updating this story throughout the day.
First drive-through testing site in the metro-east
Drive-through testing for the coronavirus will be available for pre-screened patients beginning Thursday in Swansea, Memorial Hospital announced on Wednesday.
You will only be allowed to go to the “specimen collection” site if you have prior authorization from your doctor and your local health department.
The site is at 4000 North Illinois Lane (former Sitemen Cancer Center), from none to 6 p.m. daily.
Pritzker says an Italy-style lockdown is possible
Gov. J.B. Pritzker said he is prepared to order travel and quarantine restrictions in Illinois to limit the spread of coronavirus if scientific guidance recommends it.
“We really have tried to think ahead: what if, and how would we implement that? The restrictions put in place in France, Spain, Italy, those are things we’re looking at. Maybe we need to do those things sooner, or right now,” Pritzker said during a news conference Wednesday in downtown Belleville. “I am also trying to be cognizant that the science, the guidance that we’re getting, isn’t quite there yet, and I want to follow that.”
You can read more about Pritzker’s visit at bnd.com.
New COVID-19 cases reported
llinois public health officials announced Wednesday additional coronavirus cases in St. Clair and Clinton counties for a total of three cases in each county.
There were 128 new cases statewide, bringing the total to 288 in 17 counties. New cases were reported in Madison and Kendall counties.
At a long-term care facility in DuPage County, an additional 20 people tested positive for COVID-19, bringing the total to 42 cases.
Illinois National Guard activated
Gov. J.B. Pritzker activated about 60 National Guard members to “assist with anticipated need for logistical support and medical staffing,” according to the Illinois National Guard.
The service members are helping to plan the state’s response, including the possibility of transporting supplies and building temporary medical screening facilities, the Illinois National Guard stated on social media.
Illinois launches new coronavirus website
The state on Wednesday launched a new coronavirus website at coronavirus.illinois.gov to give residents tips on how to help prevent the spread of the virus.
The site has a locator map to show where confirmed cases of COVID-19 have been reported. However, the numbers on the map were slightly behind the number of cases that officials had announced.
For instance, three cases have been reported in St. Clair County but on Wednesday the map showed there were two cases.
Lenten fish fries pivot to carry-out only
Some Lenten fish fries across the region have been canceled after restaurants were ordered to be closed for inside seating but others will remain open for carry-out orders only.
You can see the complete list at bnd.com.
Missouri announces first death to coronavirus
The first person to die from coronavirus in Missouri was in Boone County, officials announced Wednesday.
A total of 13 people have tested positive for the virus across Missouri.
St. Louis County has fifth COVID-19 case
The St. Louis County Department of Public Health has five positive COVID-19 cases as of Wednesday afternoon.
The latest person to test positive for the disease is 30-40 years old. It is believed that the person contracted coronavirus while traveling. Officials were still investigating Wednesday whether that travel was domestic or international.
St. Louis records second COVID-19 case
St. Louis Mayor Lyda Krewson tweeted Wednesday that city officials have been told there’s a second positive case of COVID-19 but that the person continued to go to work in St. Louis.
“With this case, there’s reason to believe there is community exposure,” Krewson said.
The city “is now ensuring this person is following self-quarantine protocols and will also enact contact tracing protocols to identify individuals, if any, who they may have had significant exposure to,” Krewson said on Twitter.
Food delivery for students
While schools have been closed because of the coronavirus pandemic, schools have made plans to deliver meals to students.
On Wednesday, Belleville Township High School District 201 will begin its delivery plan.
Here’s what you need to know:
The meal deliveries will occur about three hours later than your regularly scheduled pickup time. For example, if your normal pickup time is 7:30 a.m., expect the bus to arrive at your stop at 10:30 a.m.
“Please be patient as these routes may take additional time,” the district said in a message to parents.
“If you do not ride a regular education bus, live near a regular education bus stop, or miss your drop off time, you can still receive a breakfast-lunch sack from your local elementary school no later than 12 p.m.,” the district said.
For more information, go to the district’s website at bths201.org.
East St. Louis School District 189 also will provide meals to students.
Here are highlights of the plan:
Meals will be provided daily Monday through Friday. Meals will not be provided March 30-April 3 during spring break.
Meals will only be available from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at schools and participating centers.
Meals will include one day of breakfast and lunch provided in one bag.
Meals will be available for pick-up and taken home to eat.
Meals can be picked up by students or their families. Parents/guardians may pick up to four meals at a time.
Meals will be delivered via school bus to a number of locations in the area, including all schools, some bus stops and some community centers.
For more information, go to the district’s website at estl189.com.
Mobile Wi-Fi zones
If your child needs Wi-Fi to finish school assignments in Belleville, Swansea and Fairview Heights while schools are shut down to help prevent the spread of the new coronavirus, Belleville Township High School District 201 has a plan for you.
School buses equipped to set up Wi-Fi zones will be parked throughout the area beginning Wednesday.
“You may access the Wi-Fi on the buses by parking in close proximity to them,” the district announced.
Here’s the schedule:
▪ 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday/Wednesday/Friday: Moody Park in Fairview Heights; Mel Price Park in Swansea; and Hough Park and Citizens Park in Belleville.
▪ 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday/Thursday: Downtown Belleville YMCA; Centennial Park; Bellevue Park; and Laderman Park in Belleville.
For more information, go to www.bths201.org for hotspot updates.
Chamber surveys members to gauge impact
The Greater Belleville Chamber of Commerce has sent members a survey to see how the coronavirus pandemic has affected businesses in an effort to gauge what the chamber members need.
“The Greater Belleville Chamber of Commerce is concerned for all of our members and we know this is a challenging time in this current state of uncertainty. We want to continue to serve our members to the best of our ability and need to hear your voice,” the chamber’s email said.
Wendy Pfeil, executive director of the chamber, said the chamber will be sending out more information to members later this week.
Call 618-233-2015 or go to the chamber’s website at www.bellevillechamber.org to see the COVID-19 information collected by the chamber.
A letter from Bishop Braxton
While masses are suspended in the Belleville Diocese, Bishop Edward K. Braxton is suggesting that pastors share their homilies online and live-stream communion with small groups.
The temporary suspension of Sunday masses to prevent the spread of coronavirus was announced Tuesday by diocese spokesman John Myler. On Wednseday, the bishop wrote a letter to priests, deacons and other diocese staff with more directions and advice.
Hospital issues visitor rules
Touchette Regional Hospital said in a news release Wednesday that it would limit visitors inside the hospital and at its Archview Medical Center, effective immediately. The restrictions are in place “until further notice.”
According to the release, patients admitted to the hospital, the Women and Newborns Center or outpatient surgery will be allowed one visitor, and visitors for hospice patients will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis. More details here.
Illinois ‘a national leader’
During a visit to Belleville on Wednesday morning, Gov. J.B. Pritzker said Illinois “is being recognized as a national leader” for its response to coronavirus.
The governor has ordered schools, restaurants and bars to close and asked the public not to gather with more than 50 people to prevent the virus from spreading. Video gaming has also been suspended.
On Tuesday, Pritzker announced the first COVID-19-related death in the state. A 61-year-old woman died Monday night.
Madison County records first case
The first Madison County case of a person with coronavirus was confirmed late Tuesday.
A man in his 30s who recently traveled out of the country has COVID-19.
County Board Chairman Kurt Prenzler said the man has been self-quarantined at his home since before testing positive for the virus and is “doing well.”
The Madison County case is the fifth in the metro-east and by far the youngest.
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.
Bishop on suspended Masses
Belleville Bishop Edward K. Braxton on Wednesday is scheduled to release more information about the temporary suspension of Masses during the coronavirus outbreak.
“Effective immediately, all Masses and liturgical services are temporarily suspended in the Diocese of Belleville,” Monsignor John Myler, the spokesman for the Diocese, said in an email to the Belleville News-Democrat on Tuesday.
Madison County offers free bus fares
Beginning Wednesday, all bus fares will be waived on Madison County Transit District buses.
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.
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 18, 2020 at 5:00 AM.
