Friday live coronavirus updates: MidAmerica Airport requires passengers wear facemasks
New rule requires MidAmerica passengers and visitors to wear facemasks
MidAmerica Airport is now requiring travelers and visitors to wear face masks while at the airport to help combat the spread of COVID-19.
will now require travelers and visitors to wear face masks while at the airport to help combat the spread of COVID-19.
The new policy went into effect at the airport this week and is in accordance with CDC guidelines and the county health department. The new policy is one of many put into effect at the airport due to COVID-19.
“Guests should bring a face covering with them so it can be worn throughout the airport journey for their protection and the protection of others in the terminal,” said Bryan Johnson, Airport Director for MidAmerica St. Louis Airport. “Similar to airline policies, guests at MidAmerica are allowed to remove their masks for a short time in order to consume food or beverages, but must put their masks back on when they are finished eating.”
Airport officials said face coverings can be bandanas, scarves, t-shirts or other fabric.
“MidAmerica Airport remains committed to the safety and health of all passengers and employees, and airport staff continue to have a high level of interaction with local, state and federal health officials regarding measures to protect against the novel coronavirus,” said St. Clair County Chairman Mark Kern. “We believe the face covering requirement, in addition to the many other measures we’ve already put in place, can make a difference in helping to prevent the spread of COVID-19.”
Ameren Illinois extends relief measures for struggling customers
Ameren Illinois announced this week it will expand its relief measures to its customers financially impacted by COVID-19.
The energy provider’s new economic hardship recovery program will offer flexible payment options and direct bill payment assistance to customers struggling to pay energy bills.
“The package of economic relief we’re announcing today is another example of what can be accomplished when stakeholders work together to benefit the 1.2 million customers Ameren Illinois serves in 1,200 Downstate communities,” said Richard J. Mark, Chairman and President, Ameren Illinois.
Illinois’ LIHEAP program and other state grant assistance is part of the recovery program which has been launched aside its Fresh Start Program, which offers bill payment assistance and extended payment agreements.
Ameren also is extending services for residential customers whose power may have been disconnected for non-payment up to one year prior to June 18. Those who are eligible.
Illinois nurses get hazard pay, new protections from state
Illinois has announced it will give nurses hazard pay compensations and improve safety measures in an agreement with the Illinois Nurses Association.
WMBD reported Friday the deal includes new safety provisions for all nurses and premium pandemic pay for nurses not covered under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act.
A 12 percent increase to employee’s base salaries will be added for days worked between April 16 and June 30.
Unemployment decreases as state continues rebound from COVID-19
SPRINGFIELD — Illinois’ unemployment rate fell to 15.2 percent in May, according to the state Department of Employment Security, representing a 2 percent drop from the previous month.
Nonfarm payrolls added 62,200 jobs in May based on preliminary data provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Job losses for April were also revised downward to 738,600 jobs lost, down from 762,200 in previous estimates.
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, continued unemployment claims for the previous week fell to 709,244, down from 741,738 the week ending June 6. Illinois saw 44,639 new initial claims for the week ending June 13, which was roughly level from the week before.
The state’s unemployment rate was 1.9 percentage points higher than the national unemployment rate reported for May, which was 13.3 percent, according to IDES.
The staggering numbers are 11.1 percentage points higher than they were a year ago as the state and nation continue to grapple with economic shutdowns related to the novel coronavirus pandemic.
The news comes as Gov. JB Pritzker assured the public that all four of the state’s medical regions are on pace to move into Phase 4 of his Restore Illinois reopening plan on June 26. In that phase, restaurants and bars could open for indoor dining at fractional capacity as long as they follow state guidelines, and gatherings up to 50 people would be allowed. PreK-12 schools, higher education and all summer programs could also open with IDPH approved safety guidance, as could fitness clubs.
While Republicans and business groups have urged an expedited approach to reopening, the Pritzker administration has continued to stick by the original reopening plan timeline with some amendments, such as allowing outdoor seating at restaurants.
“As we continue to grapple with the unprecedented impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, we remain committed to safely reopening the state to begin economic recovery,” Deputy Gov. Dan Hynes said in a news release.
Nonfarm payroll employment decreased by 737,900 jobs from a year ago, with the largest jobs decreases in the leisure and hospitality field, which lost 285,200 jobs. Trade, transportation and utilities lost 102,100 jobs, and professional and business services lost 96,100 jobs.
The news comes as the number of new cases in the state has remained relatively flat with 593 new cases reported Thursday. For the past week, there have been between 473 and 673 new cases reported each day.
There were also 55 additional confirmed deaths reported Thursday, bringing total fatalities to 6,573 as total confirmed cases rose to 134,778. The recovery rate for those 42 days removed from diagnosis is 93 percent, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health.
There were 25,504 test results reported over the previous 24 hours for a total of more than 1.28 million tested since the pandemic began. The preliminary seven-day statewide positivity rate from June 11-17 is 3 percent.
Hospitalization numbers for COVID-19 remained at a general decline Thursday as well, with the number of hospital beds in use by COVID-19 patients flat from the day before at 1,878, a decrease to 538 intensive care unit beds in use by COVID-19 patients, and a decrease to 321 ventilators in use by COVID-19 patients. All are lows since the state began reporting the figures.
All four Illinois regions on track to enter Phase 4 next week
All four of Illinois regions are currently on track to move to phase four next week, Gov. J.B. Pritzker said Wednesday.
The fourth phase of Pritzker’s Restore Illinois plan more fully reopens the state, which has been in Phase 3 of the plan since late May. The earliest Phase 4 can begin is Friday, June 26.
“All four of Illinois’ health regions are currently on track to move to phase four as early as next week,” Pritzker said.
Southwestern Illinois coronavirus cases
Here are the latest available statistics from southwestern Illinois health departments as of Friday afternoon:
- St. Clair: 1,748 positives, 131 deaths, 12,473 tests administered, 71 pending results recovery, 1,309 recoveries, 33 hospitalizations
- Madison: 790 positives, 66 deaths, 11,600 tests administered, 491 recoveries, 107 hospitalizations
- Randolph: 279 positives, seven deaths, 2,742 tests administered, no hospitalizations, 270 recoveries
- Clinton: 214 positives, 17 deaths, two hospitalizations, 160 recoveries
- Monroe: 109 positives, 12 deaths
- Macoupin: 47 positives, four deaths, 3,804 tests administered, 42 recoveries, no hospitalizations, no tests pending
- Perry: 44 positives, 40 recoveries
- Jersey: 29 positives, one death, 22 recoveries
- Washington: 19 positives, 19 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 Friday afternoon:
- Illinois: 135,470 cases, 6,580 deaths
- U.S.: 2,282,420 cases, 121,18 deaths, 932,633 recoveries
- World: 8,864,904 cases, 459,635 deaths, 4,580,635 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 19, 2020 at 8:25 AM with the headline "Friday live coronavirus updates: MidAmerica Airport requires passengers wear facemasks."