Metro-east region sets new single-day high for COVID-19 cases, positivity rate rises
The metro-east set a record for new COVID-19 cases as the rate of positive tests continued to climb Monday, a day ahead of Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s new restrictions on the region, according to state reported data.
As of 6:30 p.m. Monday, 255 new cases were reported in metro-east counties, also known as Region 4. The region includes St. Clair, Madison, Randolph, Clinton, Monroe, Washington and Bond counties.
Madison County reported a record high of 119 new cases of COVID-19, while St. Clair County reported 66.
Bond County had 10 new cases and Washington reported seven, plus its first death. Clinton County reported 45 new positives spanning from Aug. 15-17 Monday as well. Monroe and Randolph counties had not reported information as of 6:30 p.m.
Outside Region 4, nearby counties Jersey and Perry reported 13 and 21 new cases, respectively.
Additionally Region 4 saw its second day of increases in hospitalizations. If the region were to see seven days of increased hospitalizations, the state could implement more restrictions.
Currently, 33% of the region’s hospital beds and 41% of ICU beds are occupied, according to state health officials.
Two counties in southwestern Illinois — Clinton and Perry — are at the state’s warning level due to certain metrics of COVID-19 spread. The state puts counties on this warning list for “numerous” indicators including number of deaths, new cases, weekly test positivity, ICU availability and more.
Regional positivity rate continues to rise
The Illinois Department of Public Health’s website reported an 8.9% seven-day rolling average of positive cases for the metro-east Monday, the highest in the state.
New restrictions are set to begin Tuesday because the region’s rate of positive cases was higher than 8% for three consecutive days.
Restrictions will include the closing of bars, restaurants, and casinos by 11 p.m., the closing of party buses and the reduction of gathering sizes to fewer than 25 people or 25% of room capacity.
The measures will remain in effect over a 14-day period. Then the state could implement more stringent restrictions, such as the closing of indoor bars and dining, if needed.
St. Clair County’s latest rundown
St. Clair County now has 4,927 coronavirus cases and 160 deaths related to the virus, leading the metro-east in both categories.
Additionally, the county announced a daily positivity rate of 8.3% on Monday, down from 10.1% from Sunday. The positivity rate is the percentage of positive coronavirus tests that are taken that day.
The county announced Monday that 51 people are hospitalized due to COVID-19, with no individuals on a ventilator.
New cases ranged in age from young people under 10 to people in their 80s. Officials noted there was a large spike in teens who were diagnosed with the virus Monday.
No new cases were reported at congregate living facilities.
St. Clair County saw double-digit increases in COVID-19 cases in three ZIP code Monday: 62223 (Belleville, Swansea: +11 for a total of 269); 62221 (Belleville: +10 for a total of 453) and 62226 (Belleville, Swansea: +12 for a total of 523).
Madison County by the numbers
Madison County now has 3,090 coronavirus cases and 85 deaths.
The county reported a 3-day positivity rate of 10.82%, up significantly from 6.7% on Sunday, and its seven-day moving average positivity rate of 9.54% is up from 8.78% on Sunday.
Cases ranged from young people under 10 to individuals in their 100s.
One ZIP-code in the county, 62040 , which encompasses Granite City and Pontoon Beach, reported 59 new cases for a total of 540 total cases.)
Illinois surpasses 206,000 COVID cases, more than 7,700 deaths
Meanwhile, the state announced 1,773 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 on Monday and 12 additional virus-related deaths.
Illinois has seen a total of 7,756 deaths during the pandemic, officials reported. A total of 207,854 people have been diagnosed with the coronavirus. More than 3.4 million people have been tested for COVID-19, with 38,246 specimens being tested in the past 24 hours.
The statewide seven-day positivity rate for Aug. 10-16 is 4.2%.
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
Monday’s new data: 66 new cases, 800 new tests administered, five new hospitalizations
Total overall: 4,927 positives, 160 deaths, 51,226 tests administered, 4,122 recoveries, 51 hospitalizations, no patients on ventilators
ZIP codes with positives:
- 62059 (Brooklyn): 10
- 62201 (East St. Louis): 204 (+3)
- 62203 (East St. Louis, Centreville, Washington Park, Caseyville): 167
- 62204 (East St. Louis): 124 (-1)
- 62205 (East St. Louis, Alorton, Centreville): 172 (+3)
- 62206 (East St. Louis, Cahokia): 369
- 62207 (East St. Louis, Centreville, Alorton): 219
- 62208 (Fairview Heights): 317 (+3)
- 62220 (Belleville, Smithton): 393 (+5)
- 62221 (Belleville): 453 (+10)
- 62223 (Belleville, Swansea): 269 (+11)
- 62225 (Scott Air Force Base): 19
- 62226 (Belleville, Swansea): 523 (+12)
- 62232 (Fairview Heights, Caseyville): 1 15 (+5)
- 62239 (Dupo): 60
- 62240 (Dupo): 19
- 62243 (Freeburg): 39 (+1)
- 62254 (Lebanon): 151 (+1)
- 62255 (Lenzburg): 14
- 62257 (Marissa): 26
- 62258 (Mascoutah, Fayetteville): 87
- 62260 (Millstadt): 80
- 62264 (New Athens): 72
- 62269 (O’Fallon): 369 (+6)
- 62285 (Smithton): 48
MADISON COUNTY
Monday’s new data: 119 new positives, no new deaths, 523 new tests
Total overall: 3,090 positives, 85 deaths, 48,755 tests administered, 1,275 recoveries
ZIP codes with positives:
- 62001 (Kaufman, Alhambra): 11
- 62002 (Alton, East Alton, Godfrey): 454 (+7)
- 62010 (Bethalto): 119 (+1)
- 62018 (Alton, Bethalto, East Alton): 26 (+1)
- 62021 (Dorsey): 7
- 62024 (East Alton): 53 (+1)
- 62025 (Edwardsville, Glen Carbon, Pontoon Beach, Roxana): 414 (+7)
- 62034 (Glen Carbon): 191 (+5)
- 62035 (Godfrey): 168 (+4)
- 62040 (Granite City, Pontoon Beach): 540 (+59)
- 62048 (Edwardsville, Granite City, Roxana, Hartford): 7
- 62060 (Granite City, Madison, Venice): 87 (+5)
- 62061 (Marine): 16
- 62062 (Maryville): 73 (+3)
- 62067 (Moro): 26
- 62084 (Edwardsville, Wood River, Pontoon Beach, Roxana, South Roxana): 11
- 62087 (Edwardsville, Roxana, South Roxana, Hartford): 12
- 62090 (Madison, Venice): 28
- 62095 (Wood River): 90 (+4)
- 62097 (Prairietown, Worden): 16
- 62234 (Collinsville, Pontoon Beach, State Park Place): 354 (+7)
- 62249 (Highland): 157 (+9)
- 62275 (Pocahontas): 9
- 62281 (St. Jacob): 30
- 62294 (Troy): 153
RANDOLPH COUNTY
Monday’s new data: 11 new positives reported Sunday and Monday
Total overall: 551 positives, seven deaths, 467 recoveries, 7,345 tests administered, three hospitalizations
ZIP codes with positives:
- 62217 (Baldwin): 13
- 62233 (Chester): 170
- 62237 (Coulterville): 35
- 62241 (Ellis Grove): 13
- 62242 (Evansville): 14
- 62272 (Willisville, Percy): 61
- 62278 (Red Bud): 70
- 62286 (Sparta): 94
- 62288 (Steeleville): 67
CLINTON COUNTY
Monday’s new data: 45 new positives from Aug. 15-17
Total overall: 509 positives, 17 deaths, 355 recoveries, two hospitalizations
ZIP codes with positives:
- 62215 (Albers, Damiansville): 18
- 62216 (Aviston): 36
- 62218 (Bartelso): 14
- 62230 (Breese): 62
- 62231 (Carlyle): 126
- 62245 (Germantown): 24
- 62265 (New Baden): 91
- 62293 (Trenton): 58
- 62801 (Centralia): 125
MONROE COUNTY
Monday’s new data: No new data
Total overall: 352 positives, 12 deaths
ZIP codes with positives:
- 62236 (Columbia): 160
- 62295 (Valmeyer): 15
- 62298 (Waterloo): 160
MACOUPIN COUNTY
Monday’s new data: No new data
Total overall: 260 positives, four deaths, 12,559 tests administered, two hospitalizations, 63 recoveries
ZIP codes with positives:
- 62009 (Benld, Sawyerville, Mount Clare): 6
- 62012 (Brighton): 57
62014 (Bunker Hill): 15
62033 (Gillespie): 43
62069 (Mount Olive): 15
- 62088 (Staunton): 49
- 62626 (Carlinville): 36
- 62640 (Girard): 7
- 62690 (Virden): 16
- 62674 (Palmyra, Barr): 7
PERRY COUNTY
Monday’s new data: 21 new positives, one new death
Total overall: 219 positives, four deaths, 126 recoveries
ZIP codes with positives:
- 62238 (Cutler): 12
- 62274 (Pinckneyville): 103 (+1)
- 62832 (Du Quoin): 60 (+2)
- 62888 (Tamaroa): 10
JERSEY COUNTY
Monday’s new data: 13 new positives
Total overall: 164 positives, two deaths, 95 recoveries
ZIP codes with positives:
- 62022 (Newbern): 10
- 62037 (Grafton): 14
- 62052 (Jerseyville): 86 (+1)
WASHINGTON COUNTY
Monday’s new data: 7 new positives, one new death
Total overall: 76 positives, 62 recoveries, four hospitalizations, one death
ZIP codes with positives:
- 62214 (Venedy, Addieville): 13
- 62263 (Nashville, New Minden): 22
- 62271 (Okawville): 13
- 62808 (Ashley): 9
- 62848 (Irvington): 8 (+1)
BOND COUNTY
Monday’s new data: 10 new positives
Total overall: 81 positives, three deaths, 3,617 tests administered
ZIP codes with positives:
- 62246 (Greenville): 49
CALHOUN COUNTY
Monday’s new data: No new data
Total overall: 15 positives, ten 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 Monday afternoon:
- Illinois: 207,854 cases, 7,756 deaths
- U.S.: 5,414,870 cases, 169,910 deaths, 2,763,139 recoveries
- World: 21,739,501 cases, 776,241 deaths, 13,702,873 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:
- 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 children 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 17, 2020 at 4:54 PM.