Tuesday live coronavirus updates: Chester food manufacturer to close for two weeks
Here is a roundup of coronavirus news you need to know Tuesday:
Chester food manufacturer to close for two weeks
A Chester food manufacturing plant whose CEO died of coronavirus last week will close temporarily, The (Carbondale) Southern Illinoisan reported Tuesday.
Don Welge, 84, the late president and CEO of Gilster-Mary Lee, a family-held food manufacturer headquartered in Chester, died Thursday at Missouri Baptist Medical Center in St. Louis. The closure started Saturday.
The plant was undergoing extra cleaning, Don Welge’s son, Tom Welge, told the newspaper.
About half of employees at Gilster-Mary Lee’s executive office in Chester tested positive for coronavirus or have been quarantined with possible symptoms, including Tom Welge, who described his symptoms as mild.
Madison County offers grace period for first tax payment
The Madison County Treasurer will offer a two-month grace period on the first property tax payment deadline to help those unable to pay because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Late penalties will be waived for the first installment due July 9 as long as the payment is received by September 9, according to a news release from the treasurer’s office. Those who are unemployed or whose businesses are closed because of coronavirus can take advantage of the grace period.
Local schools could see a delay in property tax revenue payments, but Treasurer Chris Slusser said superintendents are prepared.
Slusser said the county will operate on “the honor system,” and asked anyone who can to pay on time.
The Madison County Board is expected to approve a resolution allowing the grace period at their May meeting.
The plan is available to homeowners and businesses, but escrow payments from banks and mortgage companies will not be eligible.
Two new deaths in southwestern Illinois
On Tuesday, Monroe County Health Administrator John Wagner reported that a coronavirus-positive resident at Garden Place assisted living facility in Columbia had died, bringing the county’s death toll to eight. Seven of those deaths are related to the cluster at the nursing home.
Madison County also reported another coronavirus death, but did not release the person’s age, gender or whether they had underlying health conditions.
Previous deaths have also been reported in St. Clair County, which has 19.
The number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in southwestern Illinois has reached 743, while the number of deaths has increased to 37.
On Tuesday, Monroe County Health Administrator John Wagner reported that a coronavirus-positive resident at Garden Place assisted living facility in Columbia had died, bringing the county’s death toll to eight. Seven of those deaths are related to the cluster at the nursing home.
Madison County also reported another coronavirus death, but did not release the person’s age, gender or whether they had underlying health conditions.
Previous deaths have also been reported in St. Clair County, which has 19.
Statewide, 1,468 people with COVID-19 have died. A total of 33,059 cases had been reported as of Tuesday afternoon by the Illinois Department of Public Health.
People under quarantine orders will have place to stay in Southern Illinois
People who have to be quarantined because of the coronavirus will be able to stay in an “alternate housing facility” planned for Jefferson County near a long-term care center where nearly 30 COVID-19 cases have been recorded, state officials said Monday.
The News-Democrat has reported that 29 cases of COVID-19 have been detected in residents and employees of the Warren G. Murray Developmental Center, a residential facility in Centralia for people with developmental disabilities. The center is located in Centralia in Clinton County near Jefferson County.
The state’s news release said Jefferson County officials requested the housing to help slow the spread of the virus because of a “recent spike” in COVID-19 cases, including more than 17 at a “long-term care facility.” This facility was not identified in the news release.
Also, the news release did not say where the housing facility will be located or when it will open.
“The purpose of an alternate housing facility is to provide a place where people can go to safely isolate or quarantine in order to not expose others in their home,” the news release stated.
“However, it is important to note, these facilities are not designed to provide medical care for individuals.”
Amy Harrison, administrator of the Jefferson County Health Department, could not be reached for comment.
The local health department must issue referrals for the people who stay in the alternate housing facility.
Southwestern Illinois coronavirus cases by county
Here’s a breakdown of the number of people to test positive for COVID-19 in southwestern Illinois as of Tuesday:
- St. Clair: 312 positives, 19 deaths, 72 hospitalized, five on ventilators, 1,307 tests administered, 56 tests pending
- Madison: 216 positives, nine deaths, 64 hospitalized, 72 recovered
- Randolph: 59 positives, one death, three hospitalized, 38 recovered
- Monroe: 59 positives, eight deaths, seven recovered
- Clinton: 49 positives, 242 tests administered, eight hospitalized, 14 recovered
Macoupin: 21 positives, 223 tests administered, two tests pending, 11 recovered
- Jersey: Ten positive cases, 80 tested, five recovered
- Washington: Seven positives
- Bond: Four positives, 51 tests administered, four tests pending, two recovered
- Calhoun: One positive, one recovered
- Perry: One positive
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 21, 2020 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Tuesday live coronavirus updates: Chester food manufacturer to close for two weeks."
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