Region 4 in southwest Illinois sees COVID-19 positivity rate drop for 8th-straight day
The positivity rate for COVID-19 testing in the Metro-East Region 4 dropped for the eighth consecutive day, officials said Friday.
The state reported the region’s rolling seven-day average positivity rate fell to 8.0% on Friday, down from 8.4% on Thursday. Friday’s positivity rate is the lowest for the region since Aug. 10.
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 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% heading into Friday, 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 Monday, Sept. 14, was the latest data available Friday.
Meanwhile, the state’s seven-day positivity rate from Sept. 11-17 remained the same at 3.6%.
Overall on Friday, 194 new cases of COVID-19 and one new death were reported in the region. Madison County reported 84 new cases, while St. Clair County reported 62 new cases.
Elsewhere in Region 4 on Friday, Clinton County reported 17 new cases of COVID-19, Randolph County reported 11 new cases, Bond County reported nine new cases, Washington County reported seven new cases, and Monroe County reported four new cases.
St. Clair County announced one new death, bringing the county’s total since the pandemic began to 183. The person who passed away was a male in his 70s with unknown health conditions.
Regionally, 31% of the metro-east’s hospital beds and 42% of the region’s ICU beds were available as of Friday afternoon, according to data from the Illinois Department of Public Health.
Outside of Region 4, nearby Macoupin County reported nine new cases of COVID-19 on Friday, while Calhoun County reported one new case.. Jersey County and Perry County did not report any new data Friday.
St. Clair County’s latest rundown
St. Clair County has now had a total of 6,914 COVID-19 diagnoses and 183 deaths since the coronavirus pandemic began.
The county’s daily positivity rate fell sharply from 6.5% on Thursday to 5.1% on Friday. The daily positivity rate is the percentage of positives from a day’s worth of coronavirus tests.
The county’s seven-day positivity rate also declined from 6.4% on Thursday to 6.0% on Friday.
St. Clair County Board Chairman Mark Kern said during the daily briefing Friday’s seven-day positivity rate is the county’s best since they started tracking data 189 days ago.
“We’ve never seen that number. In the 189 days that we’ve been doing this, that’s the best number that we’ve seen and we got it today,” Kern said. “That’s a pretty good trend line we want to continue on. Day 189, and our numbers are looking better and better all the time. Two-straight days under 6.5%, that’s where the state told us we want to be. Let’s get over this; let’s isolate this virus.”
County officials reported 44 coronavirus-related hospitalizations Friday, up from 42 on Thursday. Five of those patients were on ventilators, up from two on Thursday.
Ages of people diagnosed with COVID-19 in St. Clair County on Friday ranged from under 10 to in their 90s. Of the 62 new cases, 43 were from people in their 40s or younger.
Congregate living centers in St. Clair County reported five new cases Friday: The Esquiline at the Shrine reported three news cases and Lebanon Care Center reported two.
There were no double-digit increases in any of St. Clair County’s ZIP codes Friday.
“If we had some assistance from other (Region 4) counties, I think we’d be heading in an even better direction that we need to go,” St. Clair County Emergency Management Agency Director Herb Simmons said during the daily briefing. “I’ve said along the regional positivity rate is the number I look at. Team St. Clair, you’re doing a great job. I appreciate it.
“We are watching these numbers, and as the chairman said, some of these numbers today are the best we’ve had. That tells us that the mitigation that we’ve been doing here and that you’ve all been part of is working. For those of you who have been doing it, pat yourself on the back, because it’s a really been big help.
“There are these rumors other counties are opened up, but we can’t do anything about that. We have to worry about St. Clair County. Stay with us, hang in there, don’t give up the fight. It’s not over with yet.”
Simmons again stressed the importance of wearing masks.
“We saw the director of the CDC come out and hold the mask out and say this is our best defense against COVID,” he said.
Madison County by the numbers
Madison County has reported a total of 5,231 cases and 121 deaths as of Friday.
The county’s daily positivity rate dropped sharply from 14.6% on Thursday to 10.47% on Friday. The county’s seven-day positivity rate decreased from 12.25% on Thursday to 12.14% on Friday.
As of Friday, 17 COVID-19 patients were in Madison County hospitals, up from 14 on Wednesday. Four of those patients were on ventilators, one fewer than Thursday’s total.
Individuals diagnosed with the virus Friday ranged in age from younger than 9 to their 80s, and, of the 84 new cases, 54 were people in their 40s or younger.
Three ZIP codes in Madison County reported double-digit increases Friday: 62035 (Godfrey — +18 for a total of 413); 62040 (Granite City, Pontoon Beach — +13 for a total of 758); and 62002 (Alton, East Alton, Godfrey — +11 for a total of 808).
Illinois reports new cases, deaths
The Illinois Department of Public Health announced 2,120 new cases of the virus and 20 additional virus-related deaths Friday.
A total of 270,327 Illinois residents have now tested positive for COVID-19, and 8,411 people have died. More than 4.9 million tests have been conducted for COVID-19; 57,800 people were tested in the past 24 hours.
As of Thursday evening, 1,481 people were hospitalized due to COVID-19. Of those individuals, 329 patients were in the ICU — and 149 people were on ventilators. Thursday was the latest day numbers on statewide hospitalizations were available.
24 Illinois counties at warning level for COVID-19
Additionally, the IDPH reported Friday that 24 counties in Illinois are considered to be at a warning level for COVID-19. A county enters a warning level when two or more COVID-19 risk indicators that measure the amount of COVID-19 increase.
Those counties include Bond, Bureau, Cass, Clinton, Coles, Crawford, Cumberland, DeWitt, Edwards, Effingham, Greene, Jasper, Jo Daviess, Lawrence, Madison, Marion, Rock Island, St. Clair, Shelby, Washington, Wayne, Williamson, Wabash, and Union.
Although the reasons for counties reaching a warning level varies, some of the common factors for an increase in cases and outbreaks are associated with university and college parties as well as college sports teams, large gatherings and events, bars and clubs, weddings and funerals, long-term care facilities, correctional centers, manufacturing plants, schools, and cases among the community at large.
General transmission of the virus in the community is also increasing. Public health officials are observing people not social distancing, gathering in large groups, and not using face coverings. Some communities lack access to convenient testing before people become symptomatic. In some counties, local law enforcement and states’ attorneys are not enforcing important mitigation measures like social distancing and the wearing of face coverings.
In addition, some people refuse to participate in contact tracing and are not providing information on close contacts or answering the phone.
Several counties are taking swift action and implementing mitigation measures to help slow spread of the virus, including increasing testing opportunities, stressing the importance of testing to providers, hiring additional contact tracers, working with schools, meeting with local leaders, and educating businesses and large venues about the importance of mitigation measures.
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
Friday’s new data: 62 new positives, one new death, 1,221 new tests administered, 48 new recoveries, two fewer hospitalizations, three additional people on ventilators
Total overall: 6,914 positives, 183 deaths, 78,664 tests administered, 6,173 recoveries, 44 hospitalizations with five patients on ventilators
ZIP codes with positives:
- 62059 (Brooklyn): 11
- 62201 (East St. Louis): 233 (+1)
- 62203 (East St. Louis, Centreville, Washington Park, Caseyville): 199 (+2)
- 62204 (East St. Louis): 136
- 62205 (East St. Louis, Alorton, Centreville): 195 (+2)
- 62206 (East St. Louis, Cahokia): 426 (+1)
- 62207 (East St. Louis, Centreville, Alorton): 242
- 62208 (Fairview Heights): 416 (+1)
- 62220 (Belleville, Smithton): 539 (+3)
- 62221 (Belleville): 651 (+9)
- 62223 (Belleville, Swansea): 392
- 62225 (Scott Air Force Base): 31
- 62226 (Belleville, Swansea): 708 (+1)
- 62232 (Fairview Heights, Caseyville): 190
- 62239 (Dupo): 98
- 62240 (Dupo): 32
- 62243 (Freeburg): 104 (+1)
- 62254 (Lebanon): 253 (+4)
- 62255 (Lenzburg): 16
- 62257 (Marissa): 35
- 62258 (Mascoutah, Fayetteville): 188
- 62260 (Millstadt): 138 (+4)
- 62264 (New Athens): 94 (+2)
- 62269 (O’Fallon): 541 (+5)
- 62282 (St. Libory): 12
- 62285 (Smithton): 92
- 62289 (Summerfield): 6
MADISON COUNTY
Friday’s new data: 84 new positives, 802 new tests adminstered, 91 new recoveries
Total overall: 5,231 positives, 121 deaths, 68,278 tests administered, 2,800 recoveries, 14 hospitalizations with five patients on ventilators
ZIP codes with positives:
- 62001 (Kaufman, Alhambra): 22
- 62002 (Alton, East Alton, Godfrey): 808 (+11)
- 62010 (Bethalto): 242 (+7)
- 62012 (Godfrey): 15 (-11)
- 62018 (Alton, Bethalto, East Alton): 58 (+2)
- 62021 (Dorsey): 13
- 62024 (East Alton): 130
- 62025 (Edwardsville, Glen Carbon, Pontoon Beach, Roxana): 648 (+8)
- 62034 (Glen Carbon): 268 (+3)
- 62035 (Godfrey): 413 (+18)
- 62040 (Granite City, Pontoon Beach): 758 (+13)
- 62046 (Hamel): 12
- 62048 (Edwardsville, Granite City, Roxana, Hartford): 16 (+1)
- 62060 (Granite City, Madison, Venice): 119 (+1)
- 62061 (Marine): 32
- 62062 (Maryville): 105 (+5)
- 62067 (Moro): 57 (+3)
62074 (New Douglas): 9 (+1)
- 62084 (Edwardsville, Wood River, Pontoon Beach, Roxana, South Roxana): 23 (+3)
- 62087 (Edwardsville, Roxana, South Roxana, Hartford): 27
- 62088 (Staunton, Livingston, Williamson): 6
- 62090 (Madison, Venice): 31
- 62095 (Wood River): 173 (+6)
- 62097 (Prairietown, Worden): 49 (+2)
- 62201: (East St. Louis, Sauget, Fairmont City, Madison, National City): 6
- 62234 (Collinsville, Pontoon Beach, State Park Place): 543 (+7)
- 62249 (Highland): 312 (+4)
62275 (Pocahontas, Old Ripley, Jamestown): 20 (+1)
62281 (St. Jacob): 52
62293: (St. Morgan): 8
- 62294 (Troy): 231 (+1)
CLINTON COUNTY
Friday’s new data: 17 new positives, 25 new recoveries, one fewer hospitalization
Total overall: 1,031 positives, 20 deaths, 774 recoveries, seven hospitalizations
ZIP codes with positives:
- 62215 (Albers, Damiansville): 49 (+2)
- 62216 (Aviston): 97 (+3)
- 62218 (Bartelso): 65 (+5)
- 62230 (Breese): 181 (+10)
- 62231 (Carlyle): 204 (+7)
- 62245 (Germantown): 54 (+9)
- 62265 (New Baden): 116
- 62293 (Trenton): 109 (+1)
- 62801 (Centralia): 290 (+14)
RANDOLPH COUNTY
Friday’s new data: 11 new positives, 86 new tests administered, nine new recoveries
Total overall: 917 positives, 11 deaths, 11,180 tests administered, 816 recoveries
ZIP codes with positives:
- 62217 (Baldwin): 17 (+1)
- 62233 (Chester): 336 (+7)
- 62237 (Coulterville): 63 (+1)
- 62241 (Ellis Grove): 23 (+5)
- 62242 (Evansville): 23 (+1)
- 62272 (Percy): 64
- 62277 (Prairie Du Rocher): 10
- 62278 (Red Bud): 141 (+2)
- 62286 (Sparta): 151 (+1)
- 62288 (Steeleville): 100
- 62292 (Tilden): 6
- 62297 (Walsh): 6
- 62916 (Campbell Hill): 13
MONROE COUNTY
Friday’s new data: Four new positives
Total overall: 607 positives, 14 deaths
ZIP codes with positives:
- 62236 (Columbia): 247 (+2)
- 62244 (Fults): 7
- 62295 (Valmeyer): 28
- 62298 (Waterloo): 294 (+2)
MACOUPIN COUNTY
Friday’s new data: Nine new positives
Total overall: 510 positives, eight deaths, 183 recoveries, four hospitalizations
ZIP codes with positives:
- 62009 (Benld, Sawyerville, Mount Clare): 9
- 62012 (Brighton): 106
- 62014 (Bunker Hill): 40
62033 (Gillespie): 84
62063 (Medora, Summerville, Kemper, Rockbridge): 8
62069 (Mount Olive): 31
- 62088 (Staunton): 86
- 62626 (Carlinville): 60
- 62640 (Girard): 12
- 62674 (Palmyra, Barr): 14
- 62685 (Royal Lakes, Plainview, Shipman): 15
- 62690 (Virden): 30
JERSEY COUNTY
Friday’s new data: No new data
Total overall: 369 positives, 13 deaths, 276 recoveries
ZIP codes with positives:
- 62022 (Newbern): 18
- 62028 (Elsah): 8
- 62031 (Fieldon): 9
- 62037 (Grafton): 31
- 62052 (Jerseyville): 230
PERRY COUNTY
Friday’s new data: No new data
Total overall: 330 positives, 15 deaths, 293 recoveries
ZIP codes with positives:
- 62238 (Cutler): 15
- 62274 (Pinckneyville): 158 (+3)
- 62832 (Du Quoin): 99
- 62888 (Tamaroa): 23
- 62997 (Willisville): 8
BOND COUNTY
Friday’s new data: Nine new positives
Total overall: 277 positives, four deaths, 12,704 tests administered
ZIP codes with positives:
- 62086 (Sorento): 9
- 62246 (Greenville): 180 (+7)
- 62262 (Mulberry Grove): 20 (+2)
- 62275 (Pocahontas, Old Ripley): 75
WASHINGTON COUNTY
Friday’s new data: Seven new positives, five new recoveries, one fewer hospitalization
Total overall: 184 positives, one death, 154 recoveries, two hospitalizations
ZIP codes with positives:
- 62214 (Venedy, Addieville): 15 (+2)
- 62263 (Nashville, New Minden): 72 (+6)
- 62268 (Oakdale): 9 (+1)
- 62271 (Okawville): 25
- 62808 (Ashley): 16
- 62848 (Irvington): 17
CALHOUN COUNTY
Friday’s new data: One new positive
Total overall: 36 positives, 35 recoveries
ZIP codes with positives:
- 62036 (Golden Eagle): 6
- 62047 (Hardin): 8 (+1)
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: 270,327 cases, 8,411 deaths
- U.S.: 6,900,243 cases, 202,725 deaths, 4,171,407 recoveries
- World: 30,590,746 cases, 953,866 deaths, 22,245,541 recoveries
Testing sites in southwestern Illinois
The St. Clair County Health Department has announced free COVID-19 testing in the following location:
- Saturday, Sept. 19, and Sunday, Sept. 20: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Gateway Classic Cars at 1237 Central Park Drive in O’Fallon. Tests will be done by a nasal swab. Testing for adults and children over 6 months of age.
- Tuesday, Sept. 22: 10 a.m. to noon and 1-3 p.m. at Marissa Macke Community Center, 815 N. Borders St., Marissa. Testing will be done by a throat swab by a medical professional. Testing for adults and children over 3.
- Thursday, Sept. 24, and Friday, Sept. 25: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day at Moody Park, 525 S. Ruby Lane, Fairview Heights. Testing will be done by a nasal swab. Testing for adults and children over 6 months of age.
Thursday, Sept. 24, through Sunday, Sept. 27: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day at Cahokia Fitness Center, 509 Camp Jackson Road.
No appointment is necessary. Masks are required. Results may take up to a week to receive. Do not call for results. The St. Clair County Health Department will call when the results are available.
Additional Madison County testing sites include:
- Monday, Sept. 21, through Wednesday, Sept. 23: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. at Collinsville (Gateway) Convention Center, 1 Gateway Drive, Collinsville.
Monday, Sept. 21, through Wednesday, Sept. 23: 1-7 p.m. each day at the Community Center, 4011 Cookson Road, Fairmont City.
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
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 September 18, 2020 at 5:53 PM.