Metro-east region reports 183 new COVID-19 cases, five deaths Thursday

County health departments in the metro-east region reported a total of 183 new positive tests and five new deaths Thursday.

Madison County announced 80 new cases Thursday, up from 54 on Wednesday, and four new deaths — a woman in her 60s, a woman in her 80s, a woman in her 90s and a man in his 90s. It is unknown if they had any underlying health conditions.

St. Clair County, meanwhile, announced 78 new COVID-19 cases Thursday, up from 66 on Wednesday, and one new death — a man in his 60s with no known underlying health conditions.

Other metro-east region counties reporting new cases Thursday included Randolph (nine), Clinton (eight), Monroe (five) and Bond (three). Washington County did not report any new cases Thursday. Overall, the 183 new cases is the third highest daily total for the region since the pandemic began — 185 cases were reported July 31 and 194 cases were reported Aug. 6.

Additionally, outside the metro-east region, two counties announced double digit increases in cases. Jersey County reported 18 new cases Thursday, 10 of which were from a long-term care facility. Macoupin County, meanwhile, reported 13 new cases Thursday.

Threshold for state-imposed COVID restrictions

The metro-east is closer to state thresholds for bringing back restrictions on when and where people can gather, according to information Illinois provided Thursday.

One threshold for restrictions is if 8% or more of the tests performed in the past seven days were positive for COVID-19, a respiratory disease caused by the new coronavirus. If that happens for three consecutive days, the state says it will reimpose some restrictions that had been lifted.

On Thursday afternoon, the Illinois Department of Public Health’s website showed the metro-east reached its highest rate of new diagnoses yet.

The state defines the metro-east region as St. Clair, Madison, Randolph, Clinton, Monroe, Washington and Bond counties. An average of 7.9% of the coronavirus tests performed in those counties over the past seven days were positive as of Monday.

Statistics on the state’s website at dph.illinois.gov/regionmetrics are delayed by three days, so Monday was the latest date information was available on Thursday.

The metro-east’s 7.9% is a higher rate than Chicago or any other region of Illinois. The statewide average was 4.1% as of Monday.

Additionally, the metro-east’s rate of diagnoses had increased for five days, and just 29% of medical and surgical beds in the region were available as of Monday. If this trend continues, it also could trigger restrictions.

Furthermore, even if the rate of new diagnoses does not reach 8% for three days, the state would step in if the rate increases for seven out of 10 days and if hospital resources take a hit at the same time.

In this regard, on Thursday, the Perry County Health Department made the following statement on its Facebook page: “We are noticing an increase in community transmission, including social gatherings where safety practices are not followed. It is the responsibility of our residents and businesses to keep our communities safe.” The department also offered several safety guidelines and protocols while reporting nine new cases Thursday.

City, county leaders stressing COVID-19 safety protocols

County and city leaders have been sharing the state’s safety guidelines on their websites, on social media and in letters to business owners in recent weeks as the number of diagnoses climbed in the region. They sought compliance with the rules, which call for face masks in most public places, at least 6 feet of distance between people and no more than 50 people in a crowd.

Last Friday, Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s administration filed a proposed emergency rule that would give local authorities more power to enforce the state mask mandate at schools, businesses and childcare facilities. The Joint Committee on Administrative Rules, a group of legislators, upheld the rule Tuesday.

Some city leaders said last week they were discussing their own mask ordinances to potentially fine citizens for breaking the rule, including in East St. Louis, Cahokia, Fairview Heights, O’Fallon and Edwardsville.

Testing efforts have been ramping up in the region recently, with one-day testing sites available this week across St. Clair and Madison counties.

St. Clair County Board Chairman Mark Kern said Tuesday during the county’s daily COVID-19 briefing that the metro-east’s state legislators sent a letter to the Department of Public Health requesting even more testing sites and equipment for the region.

St. Clair County’s latest rundown

St. Clair County now has 4,662 coronavirus cases and 159 deaths related to the virus, leading the metro-east in both categories.

Additionally, the county announced a daily positivity rate of 7.1% on Thursday, up from 5.9% on Wednesday. The positivity rate is the percentage of coronavirus tests that are positive among those tests taken that day.

The county announced Thursday that 44 people are hospitalized due to COVID-19, with one person on a ventilator.

Cases reported Thursday in St. Clair County ranged in age from young people under 10 to people in their 90s. Of the 78 new cases, 45 were of people under 40. Specifically, among the cases reported included four of young people under 10; seven of young people in their teens; 23 of people in their 20s; 11 of people in their 30s; and then seven of people in their 40s.

“Well over half of today’s new positives are people under 40,” St. Clair County Board Chairman Mark Kern said during the county’s daily briefing. “About one-third are 20-29 years. So we seem to be getting younger with our positives all the time. We have to get the word out to our younger set that they’re as likely to get COVID as anybody.”

The county also reported cases at the following congregate care facilities: Caseyville Nursing Home (seven new cases, no deaths), Cambridge House of O’Fallon (two cases, no deaths), and Mercy Rehab and Care Center in Swansea (one new case, no deaths).

The biggest jump by zip code in St. Clair County on Thursday was 62221 (Belleville — +15 for a total of 426).

St. Clair County Emergency Management Agency Director Herb Simmons expressed frustration over the ever-evolving situation.

“The health department is working 24 hours a day making sure you, me and our loved ones are safe,” he said. “There is nobody to blame except for those not wearing masks, not washing their hands and not social distancing. Blame yourself. We’re trying to do what’s best for all of us.”

Also during the briefing on Thursday, St. Clair County Mental Health Board Executive Director Dana Rosenzweig expressed concerns over suicides, substance abuse, child abuse and isolation related to COVID-19.

“I think we’re starting to see what some of the longer term effects will be, especially with regard to isolation. And there are concerns over long-term consequences for children,” he said.

Rosenzweig discussed the uptick in substance abuse deaths from data he obtained from the coroner’s office. Specifically, through June 30, 61 people have died from substance abuse this year, compared to 37 deaths over the same period last year.

“That’s a significant increase, obviously,” Rosenzweig said.

For help, he recommended calling the St. Clair County Mental Health Board at 618-277-6022 or Chestnut Health Systems at 618-877-4420.

Madison County by the numbers

Madison County, meanwhile, now has 2,711 coronavirus cases and 78 deaths.

The biggest jumps by zip code in Madison County on Thursday were 62002 (Alton, East Alton, Godfrey — +19 for a total of 408); 62234 (Collinsville, Pontoon Beach, State Park Place — +13 for a total of 325); and 62025 (Edwardsville, Glen Carbon, Pontoon Beach, and Roxana — +11 for a total of 388).

The county reported a daily positivity rate of 9.76%, up from 8.01% on Wednesday, and its seven-day moving average positivity rate of 9.11% is up from 8.64% on Wednesday.

Cases ranged from young people under 10 to individuals in their 90s. Cases included 12 young people in their teens, 17 people in their 20s, nine people in their 30s and nine people in their 40s.

Illinois surpasses 2,000 COVID cases, nears 7,700 deaths

Meanwhile, the state announced 1,834 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 on Thursday and 24 additional virus-related deaths.

Illinois has seen a total of 7,696 deaths during the pandemic as of Thursday, officials reported. A total of 200,427 people have been diagnosed with the coronavirus, while more than 3.2 million people have been tested for COVID-19, 46,006 of which were tested since Wednesday.

Currently, 1,628 people in Illinois are in the hospital with COVID-19, and of those patients, 383 are in the ICU and 127 patients are using ventilators.

As of Thursday, the preliminary seven-day statewide positivity rate from Aug. 6-12 was 4%.

Southwestern Illinois COVID-19 statistics

The following are the latest available statistics by county. ZIP code-level numbers are provided by the state each afternoon at dph.illinois.gov/covid19/covid19-statistics. Madison County compiles its own ZIP code statistics from the state reporting system later in the day, so the numbers may differ from what appears on the Illinois Department of Public Health’s website.

The Belleville News-Democrat reports the information Madison County provides. ZIP codes with fewer than five cases of the virus are not reported by health officials. The number in parentheses after each ZIP code below reflects the change from the previous day’s cumulative total. A decrease reflects a correction. All other information comes from local health departments. The “recoveries” figure refers to the number of people who completed the required isolation period in most counties:

Here are the latest available statistics for southwestern Illinois counties. The number in parentheses reflects how the new daily total compares to the prior day’s total. Subtractions occur when a COVID-19 positive patient is misdiagnosed or moves away from the area.

ST. CLAIR COUNTY

Thursday’s new data: 78 new positives, one new death, 1,095 new tests administered, 108 new recoveries, five fewer hospitalizations

Total overall: 4,662 positives, 159 deaths, 47,900 tests administered, 3,857 recoveries, 44 hospitalizations, one person on a ventilator

ZIP codes with positives:

• 62059 (Brooklyn): 10
• 62201 (East St. Louis): 197 (+4)
• 62203 (East St. Louis, Centreville, Washington Park, Caseyville): 164 (+1)
• 62204 (East St. Louis): 121
• 62205 (East St. Louis, Alorton, Centreville): 168 (+1)
• 62206 (East St. Louis, Cahokia): 367 (+4)
• 62207 (East St. Louis, Centreville, Alorton): 215 (+1)
• 62208 (Fairview Heights): 299 (+3)
• 62220 (Belleville, Smithton): 376 (+3)
• 62221 (Belleville): 426 (+15)
• 62223 (Belleville, Swansea): 229 (+7)
• 62225 (Scott Air Force Base): 19
• 62226 (Belleville, Swansea): 478 (+3)
• 62232 (Fairview Heights, Caseyville): 104 (+5)
• 62239 (Dupo): 56
• 62240 (Dupo): 19
• 62243 (Freeburg): 36 (+2)
• 62254 (Lebanon): 137 (+1)
• 62255 (Lenzburg): 13
• 62257 (Marissa): 25
• 62258 (Mascoutah, Fayetteville): 77
• 62260 (Millstadt): 73 (+2)
• 62264 (New Athens): 71
• 62269 (O’Fallon): 341 (+5)
• 62285 (Smithton): 47

MADISON COUNTY

Thursday’s new data: 80 new positives, four new deaths, 820 new tests administered, seven new recoveries

Total overall: 2,791 positives, 82 deaths, 45,875 tests administered, 1,245 recoveries

ZIP codes with positives:

• 62001 (Kaufman, Alhambra): 11 (+2)
• 62002 (Alton, East Alton, Godfrey): 408 (+19)
• 62010 (Bethalto): 108
• 62018 (Alton, Bethalto, East Alton): 26
• 62021 (Dorsey): 6
• 62024 (East Alton): 46 (+1)
• 62025 (Edwardsville, Glen Carbon, Pontoon Beach, Roxana): 388 (+11)
• 62034 (Glen Carbon): 181 (+4)
• 62035 (Godfrey): 151 (+2)
• 62040 (Granite City, Pontoon Beach): 459 (+8)
• 62048 (Edwardsville, Granite City, Roxana, Hartford): 6
• 62060 (Granite City, Madison, Venice): 81
• 62061 (Marine): 15
• 62062 (Maryville): 69 (+1)
• 62067 (Moro): 25
• 62084 (Edwardsville, Wood River, Pontoon Beach, Roxana, South Roxana): 8
• 62087 (Edwardsville, Roxana, South Roxana, Hartford): 11
• 62090 (Madison, Venice): 27
• 62095 (Wood River): 75 (+1)
• 62097 (Prairietown, Worden): 15 (+1)
• 62234 (Collinsville, Pontoon Beach, State Park Place): 325 (+13)
• 62249 (Highland): 144 (+9)
• 62281 (St. Jacob): 29 (+3)
• 62294 (Troy): 149 (+4)

RANDOLPH COUNTY

Thursday’s new data: Nine new positives, 67 new tests administered, seven new recoveries, two new hospitalizations

Total overall: 504 positives, seven deaths, 442 recoveries, 6,924 tests administered, two hospitalizations

ZIP codes with positives:

• 62217 (Baldwin): 12
• 62233 (Chester): 163 (+1)
• 62237 (Coulterville): 33
• 62241 (Ellis Grove): 12
• 62242 (Evansville): 13
• 62272 (Willisville, Percy): 59
• 62278 (Red Bud): 68 (+2)
• 62286 (Sparta): 90 (+3)
• 62288 (Steeleville): 567 (+1)

CLINTON COUNTY

Thursday’s new data: Eight new positives, one new recovery

Total overall: 440 positives, 17 deaths, 320 recoveries, 3 hospitalizations

ZIP codes with positives:

• 62215 (Albers, Damiansville): 17
• 62216 (Aviston): 28 (+3)
• 62218 (Bartelso): 14
• 62230 (Breese): 49 (+1)
• 62231 (Carlyle): 117 (+1)
• 62245 (Germantown): 23 (+1)
• 62265 (New Baden): 83 (+5)
• 62293 (Trenton): 50 (+3)
• 62801 (Centralia): 118 (-1)

MONROE COUNTY

Thursday’s new data: Five new positives

Total overall: 336 positives, 12 deaths

ZIP codes with positives:

• 62236 (Columbia): 152 (+6)
• 62295 (Valmeyer): 14
• 62298 (Waterloo): 148 (+5)

MACOUPIN COUNTY

Thursday’s new data: 13 new positives, 168 new tests administered

Total overall: 224 positives, four deaths, 12,126 tests administered with 82 results pending, two hospitalizations, 54 recoveries

ZIP codes with positives:

• 62009 (Benld, Sawyerville, Mount Clare): 6
  
  
• 62012 (Brighton): 39 (+1)

• 62014 (Bunker Hill): 17

• 62033 (Gillespie): 42 (+5)

• 62069 (Mount Olive): 14

• 62088 (Staunton): 38 (+8)
• 62626 (Carlinville): 37 (+2)
• 62640 (Girard): 8 (+1)
• 62690 (Virden): 12 (+1)
• 62674 (Palmyra, Barr): 7

PERRY COUNTY

Thursday’s new data: Nine new positives, two new recoveries

Total overall: 198 positives, three deaths, 116 recoveries

ZIP codes with positives:

• 62238 (Cutler): 12
• 62274 (Pinckneyville): 95 (+7)
• 62832 (Du Quoin): 51 (+1)
• 62888 (Tamaroa): 8

JERSEY COUNTY

Thursday’s new data: 18 new positives

Total overall: 144 positives, two deaths, 81 recoveries

ZIP codes with positives:

• 62022 (Newbern): 10 (+1)
• 62037 (Grafton): 14 (+2)
• 62052 (Jerseyville): 81 (+12)

WASHINGTON COUNTY

Thursday’s new data: No new data released

Total overall: 68 positives, 62 recoveries, four hospitalizations

ZIP codes with positives:

• 62214 (Venedy, Addieville): 7
• 62263 (Nashville, New Minden): 21
• 62271 (Okawville): 12
• 62808 (Ashley): 9
• 62848 (Irvington): 7

BOND COUNTY

Thursday’s new data: Three new positives, one fewer hospitalization

Total overall: 70 positives, three deaths, 3,617 tests administered

ZIP codes with positives:

• 62246 (Greenville): 44 (+2)
• 62275 (Pocahontas): 16 (+1)

CALHOUN COUNTY

Thursday’s new data: No new data released

Total overall: 10 positives, nine recoveries

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 afternoon:

• Illinois: 200,427 cases, 7,696 deaths
  
  
• U.S.: 5,365,527 cases, 169,225 deaths, 2,813,845 recoveries
  
  
• World: 20,882,109 cases, 748,522 deaths, 13,771,566 recoveries

St. Clair County, Madison County testing sites

Working with Illinois Department of Public Health and Southern Illinois Health Foundation, the St. Clair County Health Department is co-sponsoring the following test sites,with more test sites to be announced:

• Monday, Aug. 17: Shiloh Community Park from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  
  
• Tuesday, Aug. 18: Belleville West High School from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Friday, Aug. 21: Fairview Heights Moody Park from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

No appointment necessary. Masks are required. Test are free; people should bring their health insurance card if they have one. Testing is for adults and chidlren over 3 years old.

Photo identification required. Tests will be done by throat swab by a medical professional.

Results may take up to a week to receive. Do not call for results. People will be contacted by the St. Clair County Health Department when the results area available.

Madison County is also hosting several test sites.

To view those, visit https://www.bnd.com/news/coronavirus/article244856052.html.

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 healthcare 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 August 13, 2020 at 4:59 PM.