Monday live coronavirus updates: Outdoor warning siren test canceled to avoid ‘panic’
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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 is a roundup of coronavirus news you need to know on Monday:
East Side Health District announces fourth death in St. Clair County
An “older” woman in East St. Louis has become the fourth person to die in St. Clair County from complications from coronavirus, the East Side Health District announced Monday.
The woman, who had underlying health conditions, died Sunday, district spokesperson Linda Joiner said in a news release. The district was not releasing the woman’s age or any other details.
The case has not been counted among the three COVID-19 deaths the St. Clair County Health Department has previously reported, Joiner said. The East Side Health District covers four townships in the county: East St. Louis, Canteen, Centreville and Stites.
In total, the jurisdiction has 46 cases, the release stated. They range in age from 1 to 80 years old. The district said no additional patient information will be released due to privacy laws.
Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, President Trump trade barbs
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Monday repeated his criticism of the federal government’s level of assistance in the battle to stop the spread of COVID-19.
Pritzker’s comments followed President Donald Trump’s remarks on Sunday regarding Pritzker: “He has not performed well” and “He’s always complaining.”
State officials have not trusted the information they have received from the White House, Pritzker said during his daily news conference in Chicago.
He said his response to the “blame shifting coming out of the White House” is to tell Illinoisans to “look at the numbers.”
Pritzker said state officials have been working daily to obtain supplies such as ventilators, masks and gowns medical professionals need to treat COVID-19 patients.
For example, he said the state has ordered nearly 10 million N95 masks.
Pritzker praised Federal Emergency Management Agency employees, Health and Human Services employees and military personnel who “know that their duty” is to help all residents of the country during the pandemic.
“These are all the people who are fighting like hell for Illinois even with one hand tied behind their backs by the White House,” he said.
Outdoor siren test canceled
The routine test of the outdoor warning siren system that usually is conducted on the first Tuesday of each month in St. Clair County has been canceled for Tuesday, April 6 to “avoid unnecessary panic from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic response,” the St. Clair County Emergency Management Agency said Monday.
The canceled tests include Belleville, Fairview Heights and O’Fallon, the agency said.
Ford Motor Co. donates 3,000 face shields to St. Elizabeth’s
HSHS St. Elizabeth’s Hospital has received 3,000 FDA-approved plastic face shields from Ford Motor Co.
In a Monday news release, the hospital announced that the delivery was part of 10,000 total face shields the auto company has donated to nine hospitals in the HSHS Illinois system.
Ford announced on March 24 that it would manufacture face shields in the company’s Michigan plant to deliver to first responders, health care workers and others on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The transparent face shields fully block the face and eyes from accidental contact with liquids and, when paired with N-95 respirators, can be a more effective way to limit potential exposure to coronavirus,” the release stated.
Alton police shut down bar for violating executive order, mayor’s wife was in attendance
Police in Alton broke up a party at a bar early Sunday that Mayor Brant Walker’s wife had attended, the Alton Telegraph reported.
The party was at Hiram’s Tavern at 213 W. 3rd St. in Alton, the report stated. Police arrived to shut it down around 1 a.m.
Alton Police Chief Jason “Jake” Simmons told the newspaper that a criminal complaint of reckless conduct will be filed against each person at the party for violating the governor’s stay-at-home order that was issued amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Mayor Walker called his wife’s attendance at the party “a stunning lack of judgment,” the report stated.
Pritzker expands emergency child care services in Illinois
In a new release Sunday, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced his administration would expand eligibility to emergency child care for essential workers and would allow an increase in financial support for emergency child care centers and homes.
“We have essential workers and healthcare professionals who can’t stay home with their kids because they are heroically going out to do their jobs, which are vital for public safety and to make sure other families can get the food and gas and pharmacy goods they may need,” Pritzker said. “Our essential workforce deserves to know their kids are safe and cared for in a small and affordable group setting.”
Effective April 1, all essential workers in health care, human services, essential government services and essential infrastructure will qualify for the state’s Child Care Assistance Program. Illinois will cover most of the cost of care provided by emergency child care centers and homes. The expansion of eligibility includes those working as nurses and doctors, supporting staff in hospitals, grocery store clerks and food producers.
Full details and applications for assistance are available on the Department of Human Services website at DHS.illinois.gov/helpishere and at coronavirus.illinois.gov.
Schnucks limits customers to one per household at stores
In a continuing effort to encourage social distancing, Schnucks stores began limiting the number of customers by asking that there be only one shopper per household when possible.
“While it is our hope that customers will understand and abide by this policy, we also recognize that there are situations where it is simply not possible – be it a single parent who has no childcare options, an elderly customer who needs assistance from a friend or relative, or a customer with other needs,” the company said in a news release Saturday.
Store teams have been told to “exercise judgment in these situations” to ensure that customers can complete shopping trips and maintain social distancing guidelines.
On April 1, Dierbergs announced it was limiting customers to one per household inside its grocery stores.
Number of positive COVID-19 cases in southwestern Illinois reaches 210
Coronavirus cases in Illinois continue to increase, with a total of 210 in 10 counties as of Monday afternoon.
St. Clair County, which reported its first two cases March 14, announced Monday the county now has 86 cases, an increase of four from Sunday.
The county also reported one new death for a total of four in the county, a woman in her 70s with underlying health conditions.
The county said Saturday it received confirmation of the first child to have tested positive, a boy under 10.
Madison, Washington, Randolph, Monroe and Macoupin counties all reported new cases Monday.
Here’s a breakdown of the cases:
St. Louis County coronavirus death toll rises to 14, city reports eighth death
The number of COVID-19-related deaths has risen to 14 in St. Louis County, according to county statistics released Monday.
That number was an increase of two since the county’s last coronavirus report on Sunday.
City of St. Louis officials have reported eight COVID-19-related deaths as of Monday evening.
St. Louis County on Sunday reported 14 new cases, which was the lowest daily total of new cases since March 21.
Overall, the county now has 985 coronavirus cases as of Saturday morning.
Here is information of the 14 patients who have died in St. Louis County since the pandemic reached the region:
Female, 50-59, with underlying medical conditions
Female, 80-89, with underlying medical conditions
Female, 60-69, with underlying medical conditions
Male, 80-89, with underlying medical conditions
Male, 50-59, unknown whether there were underlying medical conditions.
Male, 80-89, unknown whether there were underlying medical conditions.
Female, 80-89, with underlying medical conditions
- Male, 60-69, chronic underlying medical conditions
- Male, 60-69, chronic underlying medical conditions
- Male, 70-79, chronic underlying medical conditions
Female, 70-79, chronic underlying medical conditions
Male, 90-99, with underlying medical conditions
Female, 90-99, with underlying medical conditions
Male, 80-89, with underlying medical condition
Illinois coronavirus cases surpass 12,000, death toll hits 307
The number of coronavirus cases in Illinois has surpassed 12,000 and 33 additional deaths have been recorded, the Illinois Department of Public Health said Monday.
The death toll due to the pandemic was 307 as of Monday. Dr. Ngozi Ezike, director of the department, said that 70 percent of individuals who have died from COVID-19 in the state had comorbidity condition. The most commonly listed conditions are hypertension, diabetes and heart disease.
Ezike said that the department feels that data will show the other 30 percent of the deceased patients likely had comorbidity conditions as well.
The statewide total stands at 12,262 positive cases. The state had tested 62,942 people for coronavirus as of Monday afternoon.
JJK records public service announcement
Jackie Joyner-Kersee has recorded a video pleading with Illinoisans to stay home as ordered by Gov. J.B. Pritzker.
“Staying inside truly saves lives. We’re in this together. I’m all in Illinois,” Joyner-Kersee says in the video, which Pritzker retweeted Saturday.
The video is part of the #AllInIllinois campaign introduced by Pritzker on Thursday.
Joyner-Kersee is an East St. Louis native who won three gold, one silver and two bronze medals in track and field in four Olympics.
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 6, 2020 at 5:00 AM with the headline "Monday live coronavirus updates: Outdoor warning siren test canceled to avoid ‘panic’."
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