Wednesday live updates on coronavirus: Pritzker calls on Trump to open ACA enrollment
Here is a roundup of coronavirus news you need to know on Wednesday:
Pritzker calls on Trump to open ACA enrollment in response to COVID-19
Gov. J.B. Pritzker is calling on President Donald Trump to open a special enrollment period for the Affordable Care Act in response to the COVID-19 outbreak.
At his daily briefing on coronavirus, Pritzker said people across the country need to have access to healthcare during the pandemic. At the briefing, Dr. Ngozi Ezike, director of the Illinois Department of Public Health, announced 986 new cases and 42 additional deaths, bringing the state case total to 6,980 and death total to 141.
“Now more than ever we need as many people as possible to have access to healthcare to seek out testing,” Pritzker said. “If we’re ever going to able to fight COVID-19 and eliminate it as a risk to our people.”
Pritzker added that there are almost 800,000 people uninsured in Illinois who will need healthcare as COVID-19 continues to spread.
“Over 500,000 of whom could potentially sign up for the ACA tomorrow if the federal government opened up a special enrollment period,” he said.
According to Politico, Trump’s administration is not considered opening a new enrollment window.
Pritzker said not opening the special enrollment period would be like “malpractice.”
“Some White House officials are saying the president will not be reopening the insurance marketplace in response to the coronavirus,” Pritzker said. “Frankly, this is leadership malpractice.”
Pritzker added that some Illinoisans may already be eligible to enroll in the ACA. Employees that were recently laid off are eligible to enroll, he said, due to a clause in the act for those experiencing a “qualifying life event.”
Scott Air Force Base reports first COVID-19 case
The first confirmed case of COVID-19 has been announced at Scott Air Force Base.
A Department of Defense civilian employed at the base was tested March 26, with the results confirmed Tuesday, the base statement said. The employee has been working from home since March 18 and was not symptomatic.
Officials said the case was not travel-related, and the employee is now recovering at home.
As of Tuesday, St. Clair County had reported 42 cases of COVID-19 and two deaths from the virus.
O’Fallon cracking down on park usage, will enforce social distancing guidelines
O’Fallon has now taken stronger efforts to curb gatherings in the city parks during the coronavirus public health crisis.
Effective March 31, all basketball courts, pavilions, playgrounds, restrooms, batting cages, the skatepark, Sports Park baseball fields, and Blazier Field (Community Park field #1) will be closed.
O’Fallon parks will remain open, but proper social distancing must be maintained. O’Fallon has 11 city parks. They had closed the playgrounds, but people were ignoring that directive.
“One of O’Fallon’s greatest assets is the excellent parks system. But we must remind everyone of the importance of social distancing,” Police Chief Eric Van Hook said. “Please, please, do not go to the parks to play basketball with a group of friends. Do not gather in parks or other areas.”
The city hopes to keep parks open for walkers and joggers who socially distance — but gatherings of people and kids who are playing basketball, soccer, baseball or using pavilions can further the spread and increase closures, he said.
People can get arrested for violating the governor’s order, but there are five steps law enforcement can take before criminal charges, according to the Illinois State Police: Education about the order; verbal or written notice to comply; possible sanction from regulatory authorities that may oversee non-essential activity; civil liability; court-ordered closure or quarantine.
Because of rapidly changing information at the federal and state levels, O’Fallon has created a webpage and is providing updates, with time and date noted, at: https://www.ofallon.org/home/urgent-alerts/covid-19-updates.
St. Clair, Madison counties get coronavirus grants
St. Clair and Madison counties will receive two Community Development Block Grants to help combat the spread of coronavirus, U.S. Rep. Mike Bost, a 12th District Democrat, announced Wednesday. The grants total $3.9 million.
The grants, awarded by the Department of Housing and Urban Development were authorized by the CARES Act, which was signed into law Friday.
Here is a guide that gives details about how the grant money can be used.
Metro officials ask riders to only use transit for “essential trips”
Metro Transit officials are “strongly encouraging” riders to only use it MetroLink, MetroBus and Metro Call-A-Ride for essential trips in an effort to prevent crowding on transit and better serve essential workers.
Bi-State Development President and CEO Taulby Roach said Wednesday people who don’t need to use transit should avoid doing so in order to support the safety of employees and riders providing “critical transportation services” at this time.
“We’ve been hearing from hospital workers, grocery store employees and others about how vital transit is to them during this challenging time for our region. They rely on Metro to get them to work and to doctor’s appointments and medical treatments,” Roach said.
Metro officials are asking riders to stay home if they can, stop riding transit if they have any symptoms, adjust transit commute to non-peak travel times and try to keep a safe distance away from operators and passengers while using transit.
Metro also has limited its public transit trips to a modified schedule due to lower ridership and fewer employees available to operate its transit operations.
Triage tent opened at St. Elizabeth Hospital to screen for coronavirus
St. Elizabeth Hospital in O’Fallon has set up triage tents where patients with respiratory symptoms can be screened for coronavirus.
The screening tents minimize risk for other patients at the hospital, hospital officials say.
“We are taking these extra measures in separating possible COVID-19 patients to further protect our community and colleagues,” said Emergency Department Manager Erin Hazen.
According to a statement from the hospital, registration and standard patient intake processes will occur in the tent. If a patient is suspected of having COVID-19 or found to be in severe respiratory distress, they will be taken into the hospital’s emergency department through an alternate door with direct access to a prepared room for further evaluation.
Belleville police chief outlines enforcement guidelines for governor’s order
Belleville Police Chief Bill Clay has issued a memo to city personnel regarding how police officers will enforce Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s order banning large groups of people.
Clay said the city has received some complaints about people violating the order prohibiting groups of over 10.
Here’s the four-step process:
▪ First response: Education: Inform group of the executive order.
▪ Second response: Written warning: Issue warning to the group that has over 10 people.
▪ Third response: Complete police report: This report could result in possible sanctions by regulatory authorities, civil liability and court-ordered closure or quarantine.
▪ Fourth response: Arrest/citation: The patrol commander or police chief will be consulted before a citation is issued.
“The above protocols allow the department to do its part during this healthcare emergency while ensuring we respect the civil liberties expected by the community and adhere to the requirements of reasonable suspicion and/or probable cause of the Fourth Amendment,” Clay wrote in the memo.
This process is similar to one recently issued by Illinois State Police.
St. Clair County awaiting PPE shipment, chairman says
St. Clair County Chairman Mark Kern said Tuesday hospitals in the metro-east are awaiting a much needed shipment of personal protective equipment, or PPE, from the federal government’s stockpile.
“Unfortunately, it appears stockpiles were not sufficient to handle this pandemic,” Kern said in a phone call with other regional leaders. “We’re working with what we have, but my concern is the medical community appears pretty tired. They shouldn’t have to worry about reusing a mask or a gown. They should be able to count on those supplies being there for them.”
Kern said the county is fortunate hospitals such as Memorial, St. Elizabeth’s and Touchette Regional Hospital have stepped up.
“But they got to have the PPE and testing necessary to do their job.”
The chairman praised Gov. J.B. Pritzker for ordering Illinois residents to shelter in place.
“Unfortunately, when you have a piecemeal effort going on in some states, that’s a problem,” Kern said. “What we don’t want to happen is to have an area that all of a sudden becomes a hotspot and reinfects the region.”
Missouri Gov. Mike Parson has faced criticism for shifting the responsibility of dealing with the coronavirus crisis to local counties and municipalities.
Federal court allows teleconferencing for some criminal proceedings
The U.S. District Court in the Southern District of Illinois has authorized telecommunications like video and phone conferencing for use in some criminal proceedings amid concerns over the coronavirus pandemic.
Chief District Judge Nancy Rosenstengel issued the order Monday, announcing that certain detention hearings, preliminary hearings, initial appearances, arraignments, probation proceedings, indictment waivers, pretrial release proceedings and misdemeanor pleas and sentencings could be overseen via teleconference when available.
The teleconferencing may only take place with the consent of the defendant.
Dome could possibly be hospital overflow space during pandemic, Missouri governor says
Missouri Gov. Mike Parson said in his daily coronavirus briefing that the Missouri National Guard was looking at making the Dome at America’s Center in St. Louis a makeshift space for hospital overflow during the pandemic.
Parson had not confirmed any “alternative care sites” as of Tuesday afternoon, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported, but said his administration was looking at several venues across the state in metropolitan areas.
“The guard has been working since last week and through the weekend as part of our efforts to identify potential alternative care sites, if needed, around the state,” Parson said.
Parson said that other possible sites include multiple venues in Kansas City, the Hammons Student Center and JQH Arena in Springfield and the Hearnes Center in Columbia. Officials may also build temporary hospitals in Cape Girardeau and Joplin.
St. Elizabeth’s Hospital accepts donations of supplies
St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in O’Fallon is accepting donations from the community and businesses related to COVID-19 supply shortages.
Donations can include surgical masks, particularly N95 masks; goggles and safety glasses; unused, wrapped or boxed gowns and exam gloves; hand sanitizer; bleach wipes and alcohol wipes. Larger equipment such as ventilators would be accepted, as well.
St. Elizabeth’s requests that no one deliver items to the hospital without coordination through the hospital’s intake team. You can go to steliz.org/COVID-19-Updates/How-to-Help and fill out an online form.
“We have already had many donations from local groups, colleges, construction companies and other businesses. We truly appreciate the support provided by these community-minded organizations,” said President and CEO Patti Fischer in a statement to the BND.
For those who wish to make masks with either elastic or cotton straps, visit steliz.org/covid-donate to get directions.
Also, you can see a video at bnd.com on how to make a mask.
Donated masks will be sanitized by the hospital and will be used by visitors or people with outpatient appointments.
The collection dates and locations are as follows:
▪ April 1, 8:30-11:30 a.m. at Scott Credit Union Belleville Branch, 2020 North Belt East.
▪ April 1, 12-3 p.m. at Scott Credit Union Fairview Heights Branch, 555 Lincoln Highway
▪ April 2, 8:30-3:30pm at Scott Credit O’Fallon Branch, 712 W. Highway 50.
Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois launches “Girl Scouts at Home” virtual program
Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois has launched their “Girl Scouts at Home” Virtual Program in order to meet girls where they are during the coronavirus epidemic. This new program applies traditional programming based on the Girl Scout Leadership Experience while exploring new ways to engage girls at home.
Mondays will focus on the Girl Scouts Life Skills Pillar. Tuesdays will focus on the Girl Scout Entrepreneurship/Financial Literacy Pillar. Wednesdays will focus on the Girl Scout STEM Pillar. Thursdays will focus on the Girl Scouts Outdoor Pillar. Fridays will focus on Girl Scout Journeys.
For more information, visit www.gsofsi.org.
SIU Carbondale fraternity suspended for not following guidelines
Delta Chi fraternity at the Southern Illinois University Carbondale has been suspended “immediately and indefinitely” after it violated a directive by the university regarding coronavirus.
According to the Southern Illinoisan, Carbondale police broke up a party hosted by the fraternity over the weekend and reported it to the university administration. It was determined the fraternity did not uphold the ordered cessation of “any and all in-person activities,” which was initiated by the university to comply with the Jackson County Health Department and Illinois Department of Public Health’s protocol.
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker has also banned all gatherings of more than 10 people in the state via an executive order.
8 employees test positive for coronavirus at Chesterfield restaurant
Eight employees at Annie Gunn’s smokehouse in Chesterfield, Missouri have tested positive for COVID-19, KMOV reported Tuesday morning.
The restaurant announced last week in a social media post it would close temporarily because of the coronavirus crisis.
State death toll on the rise
According to the Illinois Department of Public Health, these are the latest coronavirus case totals:
▪ Illinois: 6,980 positive cases and 141 deaths; 40,384 persons tested.
Cases in southwestern Illinois increase
The number of COVID-19 cases in southwestern Illinois has increased to 101, according to state and local statistics on Tuesday.
Here’s a breakdown of the cases:
▪ St. Clair County: 50, two deaths
▪ Madison County: 27
▪ Clinton County: 7
▪ Monroe County: 4
▪ Washington County: 1
▪ Randolph County: 9
▪ Bond County: 3
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.
Recovering from COVID-19? The BND would like to talk to you
Have you recovered from coronavirus or are you in the process of recovering from COVID-19? We would like to hear from you on how you dealt with the respiratory disease. Send us an email at newsroom@bnd.com.
This story was originally published April 1, 2020 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Wednesday live updates on coronavirus: Pritzker calls on Trump to open ACA enrollment."
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