Friday live updates on coronavirus: First death reported in St. Clair County
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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 Friday:
Randolph County announces first coronavirus case
A Missouri resident who works in Chester tested positive for COVID-19, according to a news release Friday from the Randolph County Health Department.
The employee of the Gilster Mary-Lee Corporation, a Chester-based food processing company, lives in Perry County, Missouri. Any other workers who came into close contact “have been asked to remain at home in isolation for a period of 14 days and monitor their symptoms,” the release stated.
The Perry County Health Department will monitor the employee. Meanwhile, the company will interview other employees and take their temperatures. Anyone showing symptoms will be asked to stay at home.
“(Gilster Mary-Lee) Corporation is working closely with the Department of Public Health and following all the appropriate next steps to ensure employee and public health,” the release stated.
Randolph County health officials have tested 29 people for COVID-19 so far and all came back negative. It was not immediately clear where the employee was tested for the disease.
First COVID-19 death reported in St. Clair County
A woman in her 80s from St. Clair County died Friday from COVID-19, the first death in southwestern Illinois.
The woman had underlying health conditions.
St. Clair County Board Chairman Mark Kern expressed condolences to the woman’s loved ones.
“Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family of the latest victim of this virus,” Kern said in a prepared statement. “This is a tragic loss to our community and a reminder that no one is immune to COVID-19. Everyone, regardless of age, race, ethnicity and socioeconomic status can be infected if they are exposed to COVID-19. For this reason, everyone must protect themselves, their families, friends and colleagues by following the preventative measures and social distancing guidelines.”
As of Friday afternoon, there were 15 confirmed coronavirus cases in St. Clair County.
New COVID-19 cases
The number of positive COVID-19 case in St. Clair County has increased from 13 to 15, according to the latest statistics from the Illinois Department of Public Health.
In Madison County, the number of cases increased from six to eight and Monroe County’s cases increased from three to four.
Overall, the region has 34 positive cases.
Here are the latest statistics for coronavirus cases as of Friday afternoon in southwestern Illinois:
▪ St. Clair County - 15, one death.
▪ Madison County - 8
▪ Clinton County - 5
▪ Monroe County - 4
▪ Randolph County - 1
▪ Washington County - 1
The St. Clair County Emergency Management Agency reported Friday that 203 people have been tested for COVID-19 in the county and 15 cases have been positive, 106 have been negative and 82 cases are pending.
Total state and national cases
As of early Friday evening, here are the latest numbers available from the Illinois Department of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University and CNN for coronavirus cases:
▪ In Illinois - 3,026 cases and 34 deaths. Previously, the state had 26 deaths. Illinois has tested 21,542 people as of Friday afternoon.
▪ In the U.S.- 100,717 cases, with 1,545 deaths.
National Guard unit activated to assist Bloomington testing site
Gov. J.B. Pritzker activated 65 additional Illinois National Guard soldiers and airmen to support COVID-19 response operations in Bloomington.
Roughly 50 soldiers from the Springfield-based 3637th Maintenance Company will assist with logistics, administrative and safety procedures at an Illinois Department of Public Health COVID-19 testing site at the McLean County Fairgrounds in Bloomington.
There are roughly 265 total number of Illinois National Guard service members on state active duty.
Scott Air Force Base 2020 Air Show & Open House canceled
As a result of the uncertainty and disruptions caused by COVID-19 Scott Air Force Base officials announced they have decided to cancel its 2020 Air Show & Open House, which was set for May 30-31, featuring the U.S. Navy Blue Angels.
“We took our time to carefully consider all the impacts, and this is the best decision in consideration of these uncertain times and our current focus on COVID-19 response efforts,” said Col. Joesph Meyer, 375th Air Mobility Wing vice commander.
“The health and safety of our personnel and of the public is of the greatest importance. When operations return to normal we will definitely look for another opportunity in the future to host an air show.”
The Air Force suspended public outreach activities and support to community events in the United States and at its overseas locations through May 15, including on base and civilian-sponsored air shows. A future date for the Scott’s next Open House & Air Show is to be determined.
Groups not allowed in Belleville parks
City parks remain open for individual activities but the parks are closed for group activities in an effort to prevent the spread of coronavirus, Belleville Mayor Mark Eckert said in Facebook posting Friday.
“The springtime weather is enticing and good for you! But remember, parks are closed to groups and group activities,” he said. “Group gatherings undermine the progress we make by staying at home. The closer we stay to home, the shorter this will be.”
Eckert praised all of the “essential” workers who must leave their homes each day, such bus drivers delivering food, police officers and firefighters.
“Please be patient because things will resume and return to the way they used to be. But for now, do stay home and make sure your children stay home as well,” he said.
Shiloh removes basketball hoops
The village of Shiloh removed hoops from the basketball court at Three Springs Park because large crowds had gathered there.
The groups were not complying with social distancing, the village said in a Facebook post. The hoops will be put back once social distancing guidelines are lifted.
East St. Louis has hotline for students who need counseling
East St. Louis School District 189 students who need counseling during the school shutdown can text the district’s support staff.
Text 618-249-4443 to reach a social worker, nurse or homeless outreach worker.
“School District 189 may be under school closure, but our Student Support Staff are only a text away during these stressful times. If students have social-emotional needs, we can be reached!” the district said in a Facebook post.
Ted Drewes to shut down curbside service
If you like to stop by Ted Drewes Frozen Custard in St. Louis, you need to get there by Friday.
The company announced on Facebook that it is shutting down its curbside business on Saturday at its 6726 Chippewa location because it will no longer require employees to report to work and serve customers during the coronavirus pandemic.
“Even while providing curbside service, the risk to our employees and customers is too high to warrant staying open during this crisis,” the company said.
Ted Drewes said you can still look for their products in some grocery stores and pizza restaurants.
The South Grand location had not yet opened for the season.
Illinois allows notaries to perform duties remotely
Illinois notaries public temporarily will be allowed the authority to perform remote, online notarizations during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Notaries can now use real-time electronic technologies featuring high quality audio and visual communication under the temporary authority, which is set to expire when the Gubernatorial Disaster Proclamation is rescinded,” according to a news release from the Illinois Secretary of State’s office on Friday.
New cases in St. Louis City, County
The number of coronavirus cases jumped by over 100 in St. Louis County, the Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services reported Friday.
The county now has 247 COVID-19 cases, up 104 from the previous total of 143.
In the city of St. Louis, the cases increased by three, going from 69 to 72.
No new deaths were reported in the city and county.
Previously, officials announced there had been two COVID-19-related deaths in the county and one in the city.
REAL ID deadline extended
The federal government’s deadline requiring U.S. residents to have a REAL ID driver’s license to board a plane for domestic flights has been extended by one year to Oct. 1, 2021.
“Current Illinois driver’s licenses or ID cards will continue to be accepted at airports, military bases and secure federal facilities until Oct. 1, 2021,” the Illinois Secretary of State’s office said in a news release Thursday.
Secretary of State Jesse White has closed the state’s driver’s licenses offices to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus and he previously asked the federal government to delay the implementation of the new driver’s license deadline.
The REAL IDs have a gold star on them and you need to bring additional documentation with you when you apply for one.
College dorms considered for COVID-19 patients
St. Louis County Executive Sam Page told St. Louis Public Radio that the county’s health department and area hospitals have had talks with universities about using dorms for COVID-19 patients who either need to be quarantined or who are recovering after being released from the hospital.
Lindenwood University-Belleville, which has vacant dorm rooms, does not have a formal agreement to allow the dorms to be used for COVID-19 patients but the school is ready to assist if needed.
“As a committed community partner we are ready to assist where and when needed, and while there is no formal agreement in place, we will continue to monitor the situation and stand ready to do our part if needed,” Lindenwood University spokesman Chris Duggan said in an email to the BND.
Lindenwood’s main campus is in St. Charles and the college has announced it is ending its daytime undergraduate academic programs in Belleville.
Scott Air Force Base raises HPCON
Scott Air Force Base in southern Illinois raised its Health Protection Condition from “Bravo” to “Charlie” on Thursday evening as a response to the growing number of coronavirus cases in the region.
The base said that at the Charlie level, it will require ID checks at every entry point to the base. It also said it would establish entry control points with COVID-19 screenings at all high density work centers. Daily screenings have already been recommended at all other work centers where members are required to report for duty.
Postponed and canceled events
The News-Democrat has compiled a list of events in Illinois and St. Louis that have been canceled due to concerns about coronavirus.
You can find the list at BND.com.
Want to help? Here’s what you need to know
The BND has compiled a list of ways you can help during the coronavirus pandemic.
Go to BND. com to learn about the opportunities to volunteer your time or donate to help communities in the metro-east without putting yourself or others at risk.
You can sew face masks, read stories for people with vision loss and deliver meals to seniors.
If you know of a recognized charitable organization looking for help that isn’t listed, please tell us about it; send an email to newsroom@bnd.com or fill out the BND’s Southwest Illinois coronavirus service and assistance guide online at BND.com.
Get the latest news on coronavirus
BND.com will keep you updated through the day with 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:
▪ State of Illinois’ coronavirus page: coronavirus.illinois.gov
▪ 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
How to contact the BND with tips, concerns
If you have suggestions about something for the BND to cover regarding the coronavirus pandemic or if you see a report that sounds suspicious on social media or anywhere else, please drop us a note at newsroom@bnd.com and include a link. We’ll check it out.
If you’re a health care worker, we’d like to hear from you
The BND would like to speak with nurses, doctors and other health care professionals who are on the front lines caring for patients in doctor’s offices, clinics and hospitals during this difficult time. We’re interested in hearing about your challenges and rewards, frustrations and accomplishments. How is this affecting you? Send us an email at newsroom@bnd.com.
This story was originally published March 27, 2020 at 5:00 AM with the headline "Friday live updates on coronavirus: First death reported in St. Clair County."
