This post is for news on local response to the virus in Springfield and Central Illinois
For last week’s updates, go to this post. You can send tips, questions or announcements to engage@nprillinois.org.
The number of COVID-19 cases in Illinois stands at 63,840 as of Saturday, and 2,662 people have died. Cases have been reported in 97 of the state's 102 counties.
As of Monday, 4,493 people are hospitalized with COVID-19. Gov. J.B. Pritzker said COVID-19 patients are occupying 33% of 3,681 of ICU beds. Statewide, 933 ICU beds now available statewide. In Springfield, more than 54-percent of ICU beds are available.
Across Illinois, 763 people on ventilators which amounts to 22-percent of the total inventory. The governor said that is much lower than expected. He credited social distancing and other restrictions with reducing the need.
Illinois is under a stay-at-home order to stem the spread of COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there is no vaccine to prevent the disease.
That agency has tips on how to protect yourself.
May 4, 4:40 p.m.
Tenth Resident At The Villas Dies
A female resident of The Villas Senior Care Community in her 100s has died after being diagnosed with COVID-19. That’s according to the Sangamon County Department of Public Health. The woman was hospitalized at HSHS St. John’s Hospital.
Ninety five people have tested positive at The Villas, including 55 residents and 40 staff members.
Overall in Sangamon County Monday, fourteen more people were confirmed to have COVID-19 raising the total to 222 with 14 deaths.
May 4, 4:05 p.m.
Updates From Area Counties
The first COVID-19 death has been reported in Macoupin County. The county's health department said a woman in her 40s. died as a result of the coronavirus disease. Overall, there have been 33 residents identified in Macopuin County with 27 recovered.
On Monday, Macon County announced three additional people with COVID-19, bringing the total to 125 since the pandemic began.
Morgan County reported two more people tested postive. Both individuals are isolating and recovering at home. The county's total is now 26 cases.
May 4, 2:50 p.m.
Springfield Drive-In To Open
The Route 66 Drive-In Theater plans to open May 8 for the weekend. More nights might be added. A social media post indicates tickets will be sold online at the website. Vehicles will be allowed in every other spot to enforce social distancing. Concessions will be done through an app with pickup at the window. The playground will be closed. A single feature is planned to limit restroom use.
May 3, 4:25 p.m.
Ninth Death Reported At The Villas
A female resident in her 90s who had tested positive for COVID-19 on April 24 has died. The woman had been hospitalized at Memorial Medical Center. The Sangamon County Public Health Department announcement Sunday two new cases at the Villas, both female staff members in their 30s.
Fourteen residents who have been diagnosed with COVID-19 are hospitalized. Overall, 55 residents and 40 staff members have tested positive.
Overall in Sangamon County, the total number of cases is 206, with thirteen deaths.
May 3, 4:05 p.m.
Macon County Death
Macon County authorities Sunday announced the death or a 13th resident with COVID-19. The individual was a male in his 70s who had been living at Villa Clara Post Acute. The overall number of cases in the county is 122.
May 3, 4:00 p.m.
Taylorville, Jacksonville High Schools Plan Special Graduation Events
Jacksonville School District Superintendent Steve Ptacek said a virtual ceremony will be held and graduates will be allowed to make the walk across a stage to receive their diploma. From an announcement:
We are using our stand-alone gym, the Bowl. This large building has multiple entrances with parking on all sides. Please see the attached images. We are having a graduate and a max of 5 family members (all with masks) stay in their car until directed to come into the large facility. There will be a maximum of 4 staff inside, so we won’t violate the 10 people limitation. Given the sheer size of the Bowl, social distancing will be extremely easy.
The graduate will walk across a small stage and pick up his/her diploma from a table. There will not be any contact. The table will be wiped between each graduate. The family will then leave, and another will be invited in from a completely different door.
Ptacek said county health officials are in support of the idea.
In Taylorville, the ceremo0ny will come to the students. The school superintendent, board president and high school principal will travel to each student's home and present diplomas. Students will be able to wear their cap and gown. All graduates will be given masks of purple and gold, the school's colors. Times of arrival will be sent to families soon.
May 2, 7:00 p.m.
Sangamon County Reports 11 New COVID-19 Cases
The Sangamon County Department of Public Health along with Memorial Health System, HSHS St. John’s Hospital, Springfield Clinic and SIU Medicine reported eleven new positive cases of COVID-19 in Sangamon County. The total number of Sangamon County residents with confirmed cases is 202, including 12 deaths.
Memorial Medical Center is reporting eleven confirmed positive cases currently hospitalized, including seven Sangamon County residents, and five inpatients currently under investigation. HSHS St. John’s Hospital is reporting fourteen confirmed positive cases currently hospitalized, including nine Sangamon County residents, and two inpatients currently under investigation.
May 2, 5:30 p.m.
One New Case of COVID-19 at The Villas Senior Care Community
On Saturday, the Sangamon County Department of Public Health reported one new positive case of COVID-19 at The Villas Senior Care Community in Sherman. The new positive is a female resident in her 90’s.
Currently, nine confirmed positive residents are hospitalized at HSHS St.Johns Hospital, and five confirmed positive residents are hospitalized at Memorial Medical Center.
The total number of confirmed positives associated with the facility include fifty-five residents and thirty-eight staff members, for a total of ninety-three cases, including eight deaths.
May 2, 3:00 p.m.
Daily IDPH Medical Update - Nearly 300,000 Tests Conducted So Far
Today, during the daily COVID-19 press briefing, Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike reported 2,450 confirmed new cases of the disease, bringing the state’s total of known cases to 58,505. As of midnight last night, there were 4,717 people hospitalized due to COVID-19, with 26% of those in Intensive Care and 16% on ventilators.
In the past 24 hours, there have been 105 additional deaths related to the disease, bring the total number of fatalities to 2,559.
To date, 299,896 tests have been conducted in Illinois, with over 15,000 of those within the past day.
May 1, 6 p.m.
UIS To Receive $900,000 In CARES Funds
UIS is expected to receive $865,000 of emergency grant funding for students through the federal CARES Act: Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund. CARES funds will be provided as direct grants to qualifying students, up to $1,000, for expenses related to pandemic disruptions such as food, housing, course materials, technology, health care, transportation and child care. Full-time undergraduate and graduate students eligible for Title IV (those who have completed the FAFSA) and who were not enrolled in an online-only program as of March 13, 2020, may apply. Grants will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis until all funds have been expended. Application information will be emailed to students who meet the qualifying criteria next week.
May 1, 5:45 p.m.
Macon County Reports Two News Cases
Ther overall number is 113 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Macon County. with two additional cases.
May 1, 5:30 p.m.
Latest Sangamon County Numbers
There are now 191 confirmed cases in the county and 12 deaths. As of this afternoon there were 11 new cases, There are 11 people with COVID-19 hospitalized at Memorial Medical Center and 14 people hospitalized at HSHS St. John's Hospital.
Two new positive cases at The Villas Senior Care Community were announced. The new cases include one male staff member his 30’s and one female staff member in her 50’s. Currently, nine confirmed positive residents are hospitalized at HSHS St.Johns Hospital, and five confirmed positive residents are hospitalized at Memorial Medical Center. The total number of confirmed positives include 54 residents and 38t staff members, for a total of 92, including eight deaths.
May 1, 4:45 p.m.
Menard County Sheriff Won't Respond to Mask Complaints
The Menard County Sheriff’s Office will not respond to complaints of individuals not wearing protective masks. There is no applicable Illinois statute that can be enforced for an individual choosing not to wear a mask. However, please remember that a private business has the right to require a protective mask in their place of business.
May 1, 4:40 p.m.
Morgan County Reports Pair Of New Cases
Morgan County reports two individuals have tested positive for COVID-19. Both are isolated and recovering at home, according to the county's health department. Twenty four people have been confirmed to have COVID-19 in Morgan County since the pandemic began.
