Metro-east positivity rate moves to 6.9%, officials say, nears 6.5% restrictions threshold
The metro-east’s seven-day COVID-19 positivity rate average fell to 6.9% on Saturday, putting it near the state of Illinois’ 6.5% threshold used to determine if restrictions put in place to slow the spread of the virus can be eased.
The metro-east, or Region 4, has seen its seven-day average fall below two important thresholds set by the state over the past ten days. The rate has fallen from 8.4% on Sept. 14 to 6.9% on Sept. 23, the latest day the positivity rate is available.
Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s Restore Illinois plan set positivity rate thresholds of 8% and 6.5% in an effort to help determine when regions need more restrictions to halt COVID-19’s spread, and when restrictions put into place can be loosened. If the metro-east sees three consecutive days below 6.5%, restrictions currently put in place on dining and gatherings could be loosened, according to the state’s plan.
The daily positivity rate is the percentage of positives from a day’s worth of coronavirus tests.
St. Clair County Chairman Mark Kern said if all the counties in Region 4 get their positivity rate down this week, the state hypothetically could decide to loosen restrictions this week.
“We need some of those other counties to start to go down and maybe we can get to that 6.5% level, hopefully, this week,” Kern said.
The state defines the metro-east, or Region 4, as St. Clair, Madison, Clinton, Randolph, Monroe, Bond and Washington counties.
Illinois provides the rate for each region at dph.illinois.gov/regionmetrics. Information on the website is delayed by three days, so Wednesday, Sept. 23, was the latest data available Saturday.
St. Clair County sees setback in cases
St. Clair County COVID-19 recorded a higher case total and an additional death on Saturday, after nine straight days of positivity rates under 8%.
The county’s positivity rate on Saturday was 8.4%, up from 4.5% on Friday. Friday marked the 27th day the county’s positivity rate was below 8%, according to county officials. While the county’s daily positivity rate spiked slightly Saturday, Kern said the seven-day rolling average remained under 6.5% for the tenth consecutive day at 5.7%.
“We’re higher than we have been in the past couple of days,” Kern said. “The good news is our seven-day rolling average is at 5.7%. That’s ten days now we’ve been below 6.5%.”
Saturday’s COVID-19 case breakdown for Region 4
Overall, as of 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, 164 new cases of COVID-19 and one new death were reported in the region Saturday. St. Clair County reported 89 new cases and one new death, a woman in her 70s with unknown health conditions. In Madison County, 69 new cases were reported.
Elsewhere in Region 4 on Saturday, Washington County reported six new cases of COVID-19, and Monroe County reported two. As of 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, Bond, Randolph, Clinton and Madison counties had not reported COVID-19 data for the day.
According to data from the Illinois Department of Public Health, regionally, 40% of the metro-east’s hospital beds were available on Saturday, up from 39% on Friday. Additionally, 54% of the ICU beds were available, down from 69% on Friday.
Regionally, as of Saturday, 74 people were hospitalized due to COVID-19, down from 78 on Friday, with 11 of those patients on ventilators, up from 10 on Friday.
St. Clair County’s latest rundown
St. Clair County has now reported a total of 7,308 positive cases and 189 deaths.
St. Clair County reported 44 hospitalizations, down from 55 on Friday. There were eight patients on ventilators as of Saturday, up from seven Friday.
At congregate living centers in St. Clair County, three new cases were reported at the Esquiline/Dammert Center and one new case was reported at Cedarhurst of Shiloh.
The county’s new cases included young people under 10 to individuals in their 70s. Of the 89 new cases reported by the county, 65 of the individuals were in their 40s or younger.
One zip code in St. Clair County saw a double-digit increase on Saturday. The 62269 (O’Fallon) zip code saw an increase of 10 new cases for a total of 569.
Madison County by the numbers
Madison County has reported a total of 5,646 cases and 136 deaths as of Saturday.
The county’s daily positivity rate raised from 4.83% Friday to 7.35% on Saturday. The county’s seven-day positivity rate also raised from 6.35% on Friday to 7.37% on Saturday.
As of Saturday, 20 COVID-19 patients were in Madison County hospitals, up from 18 on Friday. Two of those patients were on ventilators, the same as Friday’s total.
Individuals diagnosed with the virus on Saturday ranged in age from under 10 to their 90s, and of the 69 new cases, 48 were people in their 40s or younger.
Two ZIP codes in Madison County reported double-digit increases on Saturday — 62025; which includes Edwardsville, Glen Carbon, Roxana, Pontoon Beach: +15 for a total of 712 and 62040, Granite City, Pontoon Beach +11 for a total of 835.
Illinois reports new cases, deaths
The Illinois Department of Public Health announced 2,441 new positive cases and 25 additional deaths on Saturday.
A total of 286,326 Illinois residents have tested positive for COVID-19, and 8,588 people have died. Nearly 5.4 million tests for COVID-19 have been conducted, 65,217 of which were tested in the last 24 hours.
As of Friday evening, when the latest data was available, 1,597 people in Illinois were hospitalized with COVID-19. According to IDPH, 355 of those patients were in the ICU and 141 were on ventilators.
The statewide positivity rate from Sept. 19-Sept. 25 is 3.6%.
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
Saturday’s new data: 89 new positives, one new death, 1,055 new tests administered, 55 new recoveries, six fewer hospitalizations, one additional patient on a ventilators.
Total overall: 7,308 positives, 189 deaths, 85,906 tests administered, 6,617 recoveries, 44 hospitalizations with eight patients on ventilators.
Positivity rate as of Sept. 26: Daily, 8.4%; 7-day rolling average, 5.7%
ZIP codes with positives:
62059 (Brooklyn): 16 (+1)
62201 (East St. Louis): 243 (+2)
62203 (East St. Louis, Centreville, Washington Park, Caseyville): 209 (+4)
62204 (East St. Louis): 142
62205 (East St. Louis, Alorton, Centreville): 208 (+4)
62206 (East St. Louis, Cahokia): 447 (+8)
62207 (East St. Louis, Centreville, Alorton): 251 (+4)
62208 (Fairview Heights): 436 (+6)
62220 (Belleville, Smithton): 575 (+1)
62221 (Belleville): 683 (+5)
62223 (Belleville, Swansea): 433 (+6)
62225 (Scott Air Force Base): 31
62226 (Belleville, Swansea): 752 (+10)
62232 (Fairview Heights, Caseyville): 196 (+2)
62239 (Dupo): 115 (+4)
62240 (Dupo): 35 (+1)
62243 (Freeburg): 108
62254 (Lebanon): 270 (+3)
62255 (Lenzburg): 16
62257 (Marissa): 35
62258 (Mascoutah, Fayetteville): 191 (+1)
62260 (Millstadt): 146
62264 (New Athens): 107 (+4)
62269 (O’Fallon): 569 (+10)
62282 (St. Libory): 13 (+1)
62285 (Smithton): 118 (+6)
62289 (Summerfield): 6
MADISON COUNTY
Saturday’s new data: 69 new cases, 939 new tests administered
Total overall: 5,5,646 77 positives, 136 deaths, 75,119 tests administered, 2,952 recoveries, 20 hospitalizations with two patients on ventilators
Positivity rate of of Sept. 25: Daily, 4,83%; 7-day rolling average, 6.35%
ZIP codes with positives:
- 62001 (Kaufman, Alhambra): 26
- 62002 (Alton, East Alton, Godfrey): 853
- 62010 (Bethalto): 251
- 62012 (Godfrey): 15
- 62018 (Alton, Bethalto, East Alton): 67
- 62021 (Dorsey): 14
- 62024 (East Alton): 145
- 62025 (Edwardsville, Glen Carbon, Pontoon Beach, Roxana): 712
- 62034 (Glen Carbon): 293
- 62035 (Godfrey): 444
- 62040 (Granite City, Pontoon Beach): 835
- 62046 (Hamel): 15
- 62048 (Edwardsville, Granite City, Roxana, Hartford): 16
- 62060 (Granite City, Madison, Venice): 123
- 62061 (Marine): 35
- 62062 (Maryville): 117
- 62067 (Moro): 57
62074 (New Douglas): 10
- 62084 (Edwardsville, Wood River, Pontoon Beach, Roxana, South Roxana): 29
- 62087 (Edwardsville, Roxana, South Roxana, Hartford): 27
- 62088 (Staunton, Livingston, Williamson): 7
- 62090 (Madison, Venice): 31
- 62095 (Wood River): 187
- 62097 (Prairietown, Worden): 51
- 62201: (East St. Louis, Sauget, Fairmont City, Madison, National City): 6
- 62234 (Collinsville, Pontoon Beach, State Park Place): 581
- 62249 (Highland): 334
62275 (Pocahontas, Old Ripley, Jamestown): 21
62281 (St. Jacob): 56
62293: (St. Morgan): 8
- 62294 (Troy): 250
CLINTON COUNTY
Saturday’s new data: No new data as of 4:30 p.m.
Total overall: 1,143 positives, 20 deaths, 927 recoveries, seven hospitalizations
Positivity rate as of Sept. 23: Daily, 8.3%; 7-day rolling average, 12.7%
ZIP codes with positives:
62215 (Albers, Damiansville): 50
62216 (Aviston): 114
62218 (Bartelso): 73
62230 (Breese): 199
62231 (Carlyle): 224
62245 (Germantown): 55
62265 (New Baden): 122
62293 (Trenton): 110
62801 (Centralia): 316
RANDOLPH COUNTY
Saturday’s new data: No new data as of 4:30 p.m.
Total overall: 945 positives, 11 deaths, 12,220 tests administered, 888 recoveries
Positivity rate as of Sept. 23: Daily, 2%; 7-day rolling average, 2.9%
ZIP codes with positives:
- 62217 (Baldwin): 17
- 62233 (Chester): 349
- 62237 (Coulterville): 63
- 62241 (Ellis Grove): 24
- 62242 (Evansville): 24
- 62272 (Percy): 64
- 62277 (Prairie Du Rocher): 10
- 62278 (Red Bud): 146
- 62286 (Sparta): 158
- 62288 (Steeleville): 100
- 62292 (Tilden): six
- 62297 (Walsh): six
- 62916 (Campbell Hill): 15
MONROE COUNTY
Saturday’s new data: No new data as of 4:30 p.m.
Total overall: 658 positives, 15 deaths
Positivity rate as of Sept. 23: Daily, 8.3%; 7-day rolling average, 6.7%
ZIP codes with positives:
- 62236 (Columbia): 254 (+1)
- 62244 (Fults): seven
- 62295 (Valmeyer): 29
- 62298 (Waterloo): 323 (+2)
BOND COUNTY
Saturday’s new data: No new data as of 4:30 p.m.
Total overall: 318 positives, six deaths, 14,498 tests administered, two hospitalizations
Positivity rate as of Sept. 23: Daily, 12.5%; 7-day rolling average, 12.9%
ZIP codes with positives:
62086 (Sorento): 12
62246 (Greenville): 200 (+7)
62262 (Mulberry Grove): 23 (+2)
62275 (Pocahontas, Old Ripley): 75 (-1)
WASHINGTON COUNTY
Saturday’s new data: Six new positives
Total overall: 210 positives, one death, 170 recoveries
Positivity rate as of Sept. 23: Daily, 15.6%; 7-day rolling average, 12%
ZIP codes with positives:
- 62214 (Venedy, Addieville): 15
- 62263 (Nashville, New Minden): 83
- 62268 (Oakdale): 11
- 62271 (Okawville): 29
- 62808 (Ashley): 17
- 62848 (Irvington): 17
MACOUPIN COUNTY
Saturday’s new data: No new data as of 4:30 p.m.
Total overall: 555 positives, nine deaths, 241 recoveries, four hospitalizations
ZIP codes with positives:
- 62009 (Benld, Sawyerville, Mount Clare): 11
- 62012 (Brighton): 118 (+1)
- 62014 (Bunker Hill): 41
62033 (Gillespie): 94 (+4)
62063 (Medora, Summerville, Kemper, Rockbridge): 8
62069 (Mount Olive): 32
- 62088 (Staunton): 104 (+4)
- 62626 (Carlinville): 66 (+1)
- 62640 (Girard): 15
- 62674 (Palmyra, Barr): 15
- 62685 (Royal Lakes, Plainview, Shipman): 15
- 62690 (Virden): 30
JERSEY COUNTY
Saturday’s new data: No new data as of 4:30 p.m.
Total overall: 382 positives, 14 deaths, 310 recoveries, 5,963 tests administered
ZIP codes with positives:
- 62022 (Newbern): 22 (+1)
- 62028 (Elsah): eight
- 62031 (Fieldon): 10
- 62037 (Grafton): 33
- 62052 (Jerseyville): 249
PERRY COUNTY
Saturday’s new data: No new data as of 4:30 p.m.
Total overall: 344 positives, 16 deaths, 309 recoveries
ZIP codes with positives:
- 62238 (Cutler): 15
- 62274 (Pinckneyville): 160
- 62832 (Du Quoin): 107
- 62888 (Tamaroa): 27
- 62997 (Willisville): eight
CALHOUN COUNTY
Saturday’s new data: No new data as of 4:30 p.m.
Total overall: 59 positives, 35 recoveries
ZIP codes with positives:
- 62036 (Golden Eagle): seven
- 62047 (Hardin): 13
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 Saturday afternoon:
Illinois: 286,326 cases, 8,588 deaths
U.S.: 7,146,880 cases, 206,864 deaths, 4,400,591 recoveries
World: 32,192,581 cases, 983,546 deaths, 23,750,175 recoveries
Testing sites in southwestern Illinois
The St. Clair County Health Department has announced free COVID-19 testing in the following locations:
Friday, Sept. 25, 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.
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 26, 2020 at 5:20 PM.