Thursday live coronavirus updates: Pritzker says Illinois shouldn’t see second spike
Pritzker says Illinois shouldn’t see second coronavirus spike
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker said Wednesday that if safety rules have been followed, the state shouldn’t see a second spike in COVID-19 cases and that the state is on track to enter the next reopening phase.
Pritzker said his stance was just an opinion, but said as long as social distancing, face mask use and other health guidelines are followed, a second spike shouldn’t occur.
The state is scheduled to enter Phase 4 of the Restore Plan in late June when gatherings of 50 or fewer people will be allowed, public schools, higher educations, child care and all health care providers would be allowed to restart operation under safety guidelines. Salons, spas, barbershops and health and fitness clubs would also be allowed to open under health guidelines.
Restaurants and bars may also reopen with capacity limits during Phase 4. Currently, restaurants and bars are restricted to outdoor seating and carryout or delivery services.
Missouri to lift all COVID-19 restrictions next week, Governor says
Missouri will lift all of its COVID-19 restrictions starting next week, Gov. Mike Parsons announced Thursday.
Parson, during his daily press briefing, said the state will be “fully open for business” come next Tuesday, June 16, when Phase 2 begins. The statewide health order and all state restrictions will be lifted with local authorities using their own rules, regulations and ordinances.
“It’s still extremely important for everyone to continue social distancing,” Parson said during the Facebook live stream. “Be proactive. Avoid large, congested crowds, and if you can’t social distance, take extra precautions to protect yourself and those around you.”
Ballpark Village to reopen next week in St. Louis
Ballpark Village in downtown St. Louis will reopen next week with safety restrictions.
The downtown attraction is set to reopen on Wednesday, June 17 at 5 p.m. with new procedures “in compliance” with the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s recommendations for sanitation and social distancing.
More than 300 seats have been added to the plaza to provide more outdoor seating and contactless ordering and payment has also been added to the venue.
A new venue called Sports & Social inside the village will also open on June 17.
Gateway Arch to reopen Wednesday without tram rides
St. Louis’ Gateway Arch will reopen to sightseers next week, but visitors won’t be able to travel to the top of the monument.
Starting Wednesday, the Phase 1 reopening of the Gateway Arch Visitor Center will begin, opening the museum, visitor center, Arch Store and Arch Cafe. Tram rides to the top of the monument will be recontinued as part of “later re-opening phases.”
“The reopening of these experiences is dependent on the successful implementation of Phase I as well as and current local, state and federal health guidance,” a statement from the park read.
State Senator says Missouri State Fair will be held this year
A Missouri State senator said Thursday the state’s annual fair will take place this year, amid uncertainty over the event.
In a Facebook post-Thursday morning, State Senator Cindy O’Laughlin said Missouri’s State Fair will take place Aug. 13-23 in Sedalia.
“Hot off the press, we are having a state fair,” the District 18 Republican said.
Missouri Gov. Mike Parson recently said the state was still decided if the fair would be held at all due to COVID-19. He was expected to discuss Phase 2 of the reopening Thursday.
St. Louis County offers free COVID-19 testing, regardless of symptoms
St. Louis County officials are urging anyone who comes into contact with people outside their home be tested for COVID-19, regardless of symptoms with new free testing for any county resident.
County Executive Sam Page announced Wednesday morning free testing will be available to county residents by appointment at the county’s health department, located at 6121 North Hanley Road in Berkely or at the county health clinic at 450 South Lindbergh Blvd in Sunset Hills.
Appointments for testing can be made by calling 314-615-0574.
Southwestern Illinois coronavirus cases
Here are the latest available statistics from southwestern Illinois health departments as of Thursday afternoon:
- St. Clair: 1,546 positives, 117 deaths, 10,509 tests administered, 1,053 recoveries, 61 test results pending
- Madison:682 positives, 65 deaths, 8,415 tests administered, 456 recoveries
- Randolph: 277 positives, seven deaths, 2,299 tests administered, no hospitalizations, 267 recoveries
- Clinton: 198 positives, 17 deaths, two hospitalizations, 158 recoveries
- Monroe: 105 positives, 12 deaths
- Macoupin: 47 positives, three deaths, 3,253 tests administered, 42 recoveries, two hospitalizations, eight tests pending
- Perry: 43 positives, 40 recoveries
- Jersey: 28 positives, one death, 22 recoveries
- Washington: 20 positives, 18 recoveries
- Bond: 12 positives, one death, one hospitalization, six recoveries, 214 tests administered, one test pending
- Calhoun: One positive, one recovery
State, nation, world statistics
Here are the latest available statistics from the Illinois Department of Public Health and Johns Hopkins University’s coronavirus map as of Thursday:
- Illinois: 130,603 cases, 6,185 deaths
- U.S.: 2,011,341 cases, 113,341 deaths, 533,504 recoveries
- World: 7,435,727 cases, 418,203 deaths, 3,505,535 recoveries
Want to help? Here are some ideas
The BND has compiled a list of ways you can help during the COVID-19 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 throughout the day with information about the spread of the coronavirus in southwestern Illinois.
You can also find the most complete and up-to-date information from government sites including:
State of Illinois’ COVID-19 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
Who to call about mental health
Here are some resources from mental health professionals for anyone struggling during the COVID-19 pandemic:
- Touchette Regional Hospital’s Mental Health Support and Resource Line: Call 618-482-7158 to talk to trained therapy staff.
- Illinois Human Services Mental Health Division’s Call4Calm: Text the word “talk” to 552020 to text with a mental health care professional for free.
- Centerstone of Illinois, Inc.: Call 618-462-2331 for virtual mental health services.
- Chestnut Health Systems: Call 618-877-4420 for virtual mental health services.
- Narcotics and Alcoholics Anonymous: Call 618-398-9409 or email metroeastnapr@gmail.com to learn about virtual meetings.
- Regional Disaster Mental Health Volunteer Response Team: Call a support line for health care professionals at 618-381-5173.
Contact BND with tips, concerns, suggestions
If you have suggestions about something for the BND to cover regarding the COVID-19 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.
We’d like to hear from health-care workers
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.
Willing to share your COVID-19 story?
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 June 11, 2020 at 9:17 AM with the headline "Thursday live coronavirus updates: Pritzker says Illinois shouldn’t see second spike."