Metro-east positivity rate drops for fifth day as region avoids further restrictions
The positivity rate for COVID-19 testing in the metro-east dropped for the fifth consecutive day, officials said Tuesday, as the state of Illinois announced no new restrictions would be imposed in the region Wednesday due to decreasing infection rates.
Wednesday would have marked the end of a 14-day observation period set by the Illinois Department of Public Health to determine if further restrictions were needed.
The state reported the region’s rolling seven-day average positivity rate fell to 9.2%, Tuesday, down from 9.4% on Monday. The positivity rate is the percentage of coronavirus tests that are positive. The rate the state calculates is based on a week’s worth of tests.
“The state shared with us that while they thought our numbers were looking better that they were still going to keep monitoring us,” St. Clair County Board Chairman Mark Kern said. “But for now there will be no additional mitigations put on our local businesses, which we think is good news.”
Kern and county Emergency Management Agency Director Herb Simmons said while positivity rates are improving, there are still people and businesses who are making it more likely further restrictions might be added in the future.
The state defines the metro-east, or Region 4, as St. Clair, Madison, Clinton, Randolph, Monroe, Bond and Washington counties.
Since the region has remained above 8%, additional restrictions have been in place, including a ban on indoor service at bars and restaurants. The restrictions went into effect Sept. 2.
Illinois provides the rate for each region at dph.illinois.gov/regionmetrics. Information on the website is delayed by three days, so Saturday, Sept. 12, was the latest data available on Tuesday.
On Tuesday, 140 new cases of COVID-19 and five additional deaths had been reported in the metro-east as of 5:30 p.m.
St. Clair County reported 46 new cases, Madison County reported 52, Randolph County reported 18, Bond County reported six, Clinton County reported 11 and Monroe reported seven cases as of 5:30 p.m. Washington County had not reported new COVID-19 data as of 5 p.m.
Madison County officials announced four additional COVID-19 deaths Tuesday: a woman in her 60s, a woman in her 80s and two men in their 70s. No additional information on the people who died was released.
St. Clair County reported one additional death Tuesday, bringing the county’s total to 181. The person who died was a man in his 80s with underlying health conditions. No further information on the man was released.
Regionally, 32% of the metro-east’s hospital beds and 44% of the region’s ICU beds were occupied, both slightly up from Monday’s rates, according to data from the Illinois Department of Public Health.
St. Clair County’s latest rundown
St. Clair County has now had a total of 6,750 COVID-19 diagnoses and 181 deaths since the coronavirus pandemic began.
The county’s daily positivity rate dropped from 8.5% on Monday to 5.5% Tuesday. The daily positivity rate is the percentage of positives from a day’s worth of coronavirus tests.
The county’s seven-day positivity rate lowered to 6.9% Tuesday, down from Monday’s rate of 7.5%.
County officials reported 42 coronavirus-related hospitalizations, up from the 36 patients reported on Monday. Two of those patients were on ventilators as of Tuesday.
Individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 in St. Clair County Tuesday ranged from people in their teens to in their 90s. Twenty-nine of the 46 new cases were from people in their 40s or younger.
Nine new COVID-19 cases were reported at congregate living centers in St. Clair County Tuesday. Six cases were reported at the Esquiline/Dammert Center, one new case was reported at Cedarhurst of Shiloh, one new case was reported at Integrity Healthcare of Smithton and one new case was reported at Lebanon Care Center.
There were no double-digit increases in any of St. Clair County’s ZIP codes on Tuesday.
Madison County by the numbers
Madison County has reported a total of 5,017 cases and 118 deaths as of Tuesday.
The county’s daily positivity rate rose from 10.05% on Monday to 13.83% Tuesday. The county’s seven-day positivity rate was 13.18% on Tuesday, down from 13.63% on Monday.
As of Tuesday, 19 COVID-19 patients were in Madison County hospitals, down from 23 on Monday. Four of those patients were on ventilators, the same as Monday.
Individuals diagnosed with the virus on Tuesday ranged in age from younger than 9 to their 90s, and of the 52 new cases, 31 were people in their 40s or younger.
Madison County had one ZIP codes report double-digit increase Tuesday — 62002 (Alton, East Alton, Godfrey) reported 10 new cases for a total of 776.
Illinois reports new cases, deaths
The Illinois Department of Public Health announced 1,466 new cases of the virus and 20 additional virus-related deaths on Tuesday.
A total of 264,210 Illinois residents have now tested positive for COVID-19, and 8,332 people have died. More than 4.8 million tests have been conducted for COVID-19, 39,031 were tested in the past 24 hours.
As of Monday evening, 1,584 people were hospitalized due to COVID-19. Of those individuals, 373 patients were in the ICU — and 144 people were on ventilators. Monday was the latest day numbers on statewide hospitalizations were available.
Southwestern Illinois COVID-19 statistics
ZIP code-level numbers below are provided by the state each afternoon at dph.illinois.gov/covid19/covid19-statistics. Madison and Macoupin counties compile their own statistics by ZIP code 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 county health departments provide.
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:
ST. CLAIR COUNTY
Tuesday’s new data: 46 new positives, 839 new tests administered, one new death, 64 new recoveries
Total overall: 6,750 positives, 181 deaths, 76,126 tests administered, 6,051 recoveries, 42 hospitalizations with two patients on ventilators
ZIP codes with positives:
- 62059 (Brooklyn): 11
- 62201 (East St. Louis): 232 (+1)
- 62203 (East St. Louis, Centreville, Washington Park, Caseyville): 196 (+1)
- 62204 (East St. Louis): 136
- 62205 (East St. Louis, Alorton, Centreville): 191
- 62206 (East St. Louis, Cahokia): 427 (+1)
- 62207 (East St. Louis, Centreville, Alorton): 239 (+1)
- 62208 (Fairview Heights): 410 (+3)
- 62220 (Belleville, Smithton): 534 (+5)
- 62221 (Belleville): 632 (+4)
- 62223 (Belleville, Swansea): 386 (+7)
- 62225 (Scott Air Force Base): 30
- 62226 (Belleville, Swansea): 694 (+4)
- 62232 (Fairview Heights, Caseyville): 186 (+1)
- 62239 (Dupo): 97
- 62240 (Dupo): 31
- 62243 (Freeburg): 97 (+1)
- 62254 (Lebanon): 239 (+4)
- 62255 (Lenzburg): 16
- 62257 (Marissa): 35
- 62258 (Mascoutah, Fayetteville): 180 (+3)
- 62260 (Millstadt): 131 (+2)
- 62264 (New Athens): 92 (+1)
- 62269 (O’Fallon): 525 (+3)
- 62282 (St. Libory): 12
- 62285 (Smithton): 81 (+1)
- 62289 (Summerfield): 6
MADISON COUNTY
Tuesday’s new data: 52 new positives, four new deaths, 376 new tests administered
Total overall: 5,017 positives, 118 deaths, 66,911 tests administered, 2,563 recoveries, 19 hospitalizations with four patients on ventilators
ZIP codes with positives:
- 62001 (Kaufman, Alhambra): 22 (+1)
- 62002 (Alton, East Alton, Godfrey): 776 (+10)
- 62010 (Bethalto): 230 (+1)
- 62012 (Godfrey): 15
- 62018 (Alton, Bethalto, East Alton): 54
- 62021 (Dorsey): 13
- 62024 (East Alton): 128 (+4)
- 62025 (Edwardsville, Glen Carbon, Pontoon Beach, Roxana): 631 (+7)
- 62034 (Glen Carbon): 257 (+1)
- 62035 (Godfrey): 388 (+8)
- 62040 (Granite City, Pontoon Beach): 730 (+3)
- 62046 (Hamel): 10
- 62048 (Edwardsville, Granite City, Roxana, Hartford):12
- 62060 (Granite City, Madison, Venice): 117
- 62061 (Marine): 30
- 62062 (Maryville): 99
- 62067 (Moro): 53
62074 (New Douglas): 7
- 62084 (Edwardsville, Wood River, Pontoon Beach, Roxana, South Roxana): 20
- 62087 (Edwardsville, Roxana, South Roxana, Hartford): 27
- 62090 (Madison, Venice): 31
- 62095 (Wood River): 157
- 62097 (Prairietown, Worden): 44
- 62234 (Collinsville, Pontoon Beach, State Park Place): 527 (+4)
- 62249 (Highland): 301
62275 (Pocahontas, Old Ripley, Jamestown): 18
62281 (St. Jacob): 50
62293: (St. Morgan): 8
- 62294 (Troy): 218
CLINTON COUNTY
Tuesday’s new data: 11 new positives
Total overall: 979 positives, 19 deaths, 695 recoveries, eight hospitalizations
ZIP codes with positives:
- 62215 (Albers, Damiansville): 41
- 62216 (Aviston): 81
- 62218 (Bartelso): 54
- 62230 (Breese): 139
- 62231 (Carlyle): 186
- 62245 (Germantown): 46
- 62265 (New Baden): 116
- 62293 (Trenton): 106
- 62801 (Centralia): 248
RANDOLPH COUNTY
Tuesday’s new data: 18 new positives
Total overall: 894 positives, 11 deaths, 10,877 tests administered, 792 recoveries
ZIP codes with positives:
- 62217 (Baldwin): 15
- 62233 (Chester): 311
- 62237 (Coulterville): 60
- 62241 (Ellis Grove): 17
- 62242 (Evansville): 22
- 62272 (Percy): 63
- 62277 (Prairie Du Rocher): 9
- 62278 (Red Bud): 127
- 62286 (Sparta): 142
- 62288 (Steeleville): 97
- 62292 (Tilden): 6
- 62297 (Walsh): 6
- 62916 (Campbell Hill): 11
MONROE COUNTY
Tuesday’s new data: Seven new positives
Total overall: 592 positives, 14 deaths, two hospitalized
ZIP codes with positives:
- 62236 (Columbia): 234
- 62244 (Fults): 7
- 62295 (Valmeyer): 26
- 62298 (Waterloo): 287
MACOUPIN COUNTY
Tuesday’s new data: No new data as of 5:30 p.m.
Total overall: 472 positives, seven deaths, 150 recoveries, five hospitalizations
ZIP codes with positives:
- 62009 (Benld, Sawyerville, Mount Clare): 13
- 62012 (Brighton): 76 (+3)
- 62014 (Bunker Hill): 42 (+2)
62033 (Gillespie): 78
62063 (Medora, Summerville, Kemper, Rockbridge): 9
62069 (Mount Olive): 30
- 62088 (Staunton): 89 (+4)
- 62626 (Carlinville): 49
- 62640 (Girard): 12
- 62674 (Palmyra, Barr): 12
- 62685 (Royal Lakes, Plainview, Shipman): 13
- 62690 (Virden): 24 (+3)
JERSEY COUNTY
Tuesday’s new data: No new data as of 5:30 p.m.
Total overall: 362 positives; 12 deaths, which was an increase of three people; and 229 recoveries
ZIP codes with positives:
- 62022 (Newbern): 18
- 62028 (Elsah): 8 (+2)
- 62031 (Fieldon): 9
- 62037 (Grafton): 31
- 62052 (Jerseyville): 226 (+25)
PERRY COUNTY
Tuesday’s new data: Two new positives, one new death
Total overall: 327 positives, 15 deaths, 282 recoveries
ZIP codes with positives:
- 62238 (Cutler): 15
- 62274 (Pinckneyville): 155 (+5)
- 62832 (Du Quoin): 95 (+5)
- 62888 (Tamaroa): 22 (+1)
- 62997 (Willisville): 8
BOND COUNTY
Tuesday’s new data: Six new positives, 514 new tests administered
Total overall: 263 positives, four deaths, 12,176 tests administered
ZIP codes with positives:
- 62086 (Sorento): 8
- 62246 (Greenville): 141
- 62262 (Mulberry Grove): 13
- 62275 (Pocahontas, Old Ripley): 54
WASHINGTON COUNTY
Tuesday’s new data: No new data as of 5:30 p.m.
Total overall: 164 positives, one death, 116 recoveries
ZIP codes with positives:
- 62214 (Venedy, Addieville): 12
- 62263 (Nashville, New Minden): 51
- 62268 (Oakdale): 8
- 62271 (Okawville): 19
- 62808 (Ashley): 14
- 62848 (Irvington): 14
CALHOUN COUNTY
Tuesday’s new data: No new data as of 5:30 p.m.
Total overall: 35 positives, 26 recoveries
ZIP codes with positives:
- 62036 (Golden Eagle): 6
- 62047 (Hardin): 8
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 afternoon:
- Illinois: 264,210 cases, 8,332 deaths
- U.S.: 6,545,898 cases, 194,066 deaths
- World: 29,114,477 cases, 925,596 deaths
Testing sites in southwestern Illinois
The St. Clair County Health Department has announced free COVID-19 testing in the following locations:
▪ 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 16 at McKendree University in Lebanon. Drive-thru: Take College Road to Alton Street – First right in front of the Hett. Walk-up: on the Quad across from the Hett on Alton Street.
▪ 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 19 and Sunday, Sept. 20 at Gateway Classic Cars at 1237 Central park Drive in O’Fallon.
No appointment is necessary. Masks are required.
The IDPH also offers free walk-up and drive-thru COVID-19 testing seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. (or until they meet their capacity per day) at the Jackie Joyner-Kersee Center in East St. Louis, Highway 64 West, exit 4A.
Capacity is limited. Hours of operation are subject to change based on available equipment. For more information, visit http://dph.illinois.gov/testing.
Additionally, Touchette Regional Hospital and SIHF Healthcare offer daily testing in Belleville and Wood River by first calling 618-646-2596 for an appointment.
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:
- 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
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This story was originally published September 15, 2020 at 4:59 PM.