Tuesday live coronavirus updates: Illinois Attorney General says he has COVID-19
Illinois Attorney General tests positive for COVID-19
Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul announced Tuesday he has tested positive for COVID-19.
The state’s attorney general said in a statement he experienced minor symptoms over the weekend and after using telehealth services, was tested and diagnosed with the virus.
“I have been self-isolating since the onset of my symptoms, and I will continue to do so in accordance with guidance from my doctor and public health authorities,” Raoul said. “Additionally, we are in the process of notifying individuals I may have come into contact with so that they can self-isolate and seek telehealth guidance.”
Raoul said his symptoms are mild and that he continues to manage his office remotely. He said the services of his office will be “uninterrupted.”
He urged residents of Illinois to continue to be vigilant against COVID-19, even as confirmed cases decrease in the state.
“Although the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Illinois is decreasing, I urge people to follow guidance from public health officials by staying at least six feet away from others, wearing a face mask when around others, and washing your hands often.
State cancels annual Grand American trapshooting contest
The Grand American World Trapshooting Championships have been canceled this year due to concerns over COVID-19.
The Southern reported Monday that the Illinois Department of Health said the annual event, which brings more than 5,000 competitors and spectators to Sparta’s World Shooting Recreational Complex, would not be held this year.
“The health and safety of participants who would attend, as well as spectators and staff, must remain top-of-mind,” IDNR Director Colleen Callahan said in the release. “Of course, we’ll miss seeing participants and enjoying the camaraderie and sport from those who compete but, after considering recommendations and concerns from the Illinois Department of Public Health, know that safeguarding the health of attendees is the right decision in light of the ongoing global pandemic.”
The decision comes after local officials and state representatives called on Gov. J.B. Pritzker to allow the event to be held. Elected officials and American Trapshooting Association Executive Director Lynn Gipson said the event could be held with social distancing if the state allowed it to take place.
In a statement to The Southern, State Sen. Paul Schimpf, R--Waterloo, said he was “bitterly disappointed” by Pritzker’s decision to not allow the event to take place.
“The governor’s arrogant refusal to listen to Southern Illinois elected officials -- Republican and Democrat alike -- who urged him to allow the event deprives the region of tens of millions of dollars in desperately-needed income and undermines the viability of the World Shooting and Recreational Complex,” the statement read.
GOP sues Pritzker seeking exemption from 10-person limit
CHICAGO (AP) — Illinois’ Democratic governor was sued Monday by the state’s Republican Party, which is seeking exemption from the 10-person limit on public gatherings.
The Chicago Tribune reports the GOP contends in the lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court in Chicago that Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s limit on in-person gatherings to battle the coronavirus curtails people’s First Amendment rights. The GOP wants the court to exempt political parties from the cap on gatherings and seeks permission to hold meetings without size restrictions during the time leading up to the November election.
“Unlike churches, political parties are barred from gathering in groups greater than 10,” the lawsuit says. “And unlike protesters against police brutality, they have not been given an exemption based on his sympathy, recognition, and participation.”
While the governor’s office didn’t immediately comment on the lawsuit, Pritzker said Monday the steps he’s taken to slow the spread of the coronavirus have helped Illinois see a decline in new infections and deaths while other states that have reopened more quickly are seeing new spikes.
Tour de Belleville COVID-19 shirts on sale, proceeds go toward 2021 ride
Belleville’s Parks and Recreation Department recently announced the cancellation of its annual Tour de Belleville night bike ride, but the department is still offering commemorative COVID-19 T-shirts.
This year’s shirt features the race’s mascot “Otto” wearing a mask with the message “Stay 6’ Back” on the back of the shirt. The shirts are $24 and proceeds will be put toward the 2021 Tour de Belleville.
Each year, the event attracts nearly 2,000 bike riders. To order shirts, visit: https://www.artwearstl.com/support-local/tour-de-belleville.
Long-term care facilities in Missouri no longer under state restrictions
Starting Tuesday, Missouri’s long-term care facilities have shed state restrictions as the state fully reopened, leaving facilities to determine their own policies.
In May, the Missouri Department of Health began restricting visitations to the nursing homes to help stunt the spread of COVID-19, which has ravaged the nation’s long-term care centers.
Randell Williams, director of the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, said in a statement the department will continue to monitor long-term care facilities during the current “transition period.”
“We recognize everyone’s patience and are thankful to share this welcome news so that loved ones can visit together again while continuing to follow measures intended to protect their health. With our Order in place that requires reporting of a single case by the facility within 24 hours, we will continue to watch our long-term care facilities closely during this transition period,” Williams said.
St. Charles reopens, following Missouri Governor’s plan
St. Charles County reopened Tuesday, staying in line with Missouri Gov. Mike Parkson’s plan to reopen the entire state.
The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported the county lifted its previously issued COVID-19 restrictions, but its Department of Health is still recommending residents use caution, wear a mask and practice social distancing.
County Executive Steve Ehlmann made the announcement Monday evening. The county has followed Parson’s plan to reopen since May when Parson opened the majority of the state’s economy.
The Post-Dispatch reported that nine new cases of coronavirus were reported Monday, bringing the county’s total to 918 confirmed cases and 67 deaths.
Coronavirus death rate is 12 times higher for those with chronic illnesses
WASHINGTON (AP) — Death rates are 12 times higher for coronavirus patients with chronic illnesses than for others who become infected, a new US government report says. The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report released Monday highlights the dangers posed by heart disease, diabetes and lung ailments. These are the top three health problems found in COVID-19 patients, the report suggests.
The report is based on 1.3 million laboratory-confirmed coronavirus cases reported to the agency from January 22 through the end of May.
Information on health conditions was available for just 22% of the patients. It shows that 32% had heart-related disease, 30% had diabetes and 18% had chronic lung disease, which includes asthma and emphysema.
Among patients with a chronic illness, about 20% died compared with almost 2% of those who were otherwise healthy. Virus patients with a chronic condition were also six times more likely to be hospitalized — 46% versus almost 8%.
People with chronic disease “are much more likely to suffer severe effects of COVID-19, but we can’t lose sight of the fact that previously healthy people can also become very ill and even die as well,” Dr. Leana Wen, an emergency physician and public health specialist at George Washington University, said in a statement.
Illinois records lowest day of new COVID-19 cases since March
The Illinois Department of Public Health reported Monday that the state saw its lowest increase in COVID-19 cases since March 30.
The department reported 473 new cases of the virus had been confirmed with 19 additional deaths.
Illinois has seen a total of 6,326 deaths during the pandemic, officials reported. A total of 133,016 people have been diagnosed with the coronavirus, while more than 1 million people have been tested for COVID-19.
Southwestern Illinois coronavirus cases
Here are the latest available statistics from southwestern Illinois health departments as of Tuesday afternoon:
- St. Clair: 1,668 positives, 130 deaths, 9,716 tests administered, 76 pending results recovery, 1201 recoveries
- Madison: 737 positives, 66 deaths, 10,027 tests administered, 467 recoveries
- Randolph: 279 positives, seven deaths, 2,479 tests administered, no hospitalizations, 270 recoveries
- Clinton: 214 positives, 17 deaths, two hospitalizations, 160 recoveries
- Monroe: 112 positives, 12 deaths
- Macoupin: 47 positives, three deaths, 3,352 tests administered, 42 recoveries, one hospitalization, one test pending
- Perry: 44 positives, 40 recoveries
- Jersey: 29 positives, one death, 22 recoveries
- Washington: 20 positives, 18 recoveries
- Bond: 19 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 Tuesday:
- Illinois: 133,639 cases, 6,98 deaths
- U.S.: 2,103,750 cases, 115,896 deaths, 561,816 recoveries
- World: 8,096,403 cases, 438,843 deaths, 3,918,359 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 16, 2020 at 6:00 AM with the headline "Tuesday live coronavirus updates: Illinois Attorney General says he has COVID-19."