This post is for news on local response to the coronavirus in Springfield and Central Illinois.
You can send tips, questions or announcements to engage@nprillinois.org.
Illinois remains under a stay-at-home order to stem the spread of COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus. The Illinois Department of Public Health tracks the numberof confirmed cases and deaths related to the disease, as well as hospital capacity and testing capacity.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there is no vaccine to prevent the disease. The CDC has tips on how to protect yourself.
May 18, 3:00 p.m.
Statewide Numbers
On Monday, Illinois announced 2,294 more people have the coronavirus disease, including 59 additional deaths. The total number of cases stands at 96,485, including 4,234 deaths in 100 counties in Illinois.
Within the past 24 hours, laboratories have reported 21,297 specimens for a total of 603,241. The statewide seven day rolling positivity rate, May 9-15, is 14-percent.
May 17, 4:30 p.m.
Area Update
The Sangamon County Department of Public Health said another resident of The Villas with COVID-19 died. The patient was a female in her 80s who tested positive April 26. She is the 22nd person at the facility to die after having been confirmed with the disease. A total of 62 residents and 46 staff have teted positive. Currently, none are hospitalized.
Overall in Sangamon County, six more people have been diagnosed bringing the total to 320. The number of county deaths stand at 27.
Cass County has confirmed a total of 64 individuals with COVID-19, with 34 of those having recovered.
Macon County reports two more confirmations, bringing the overall total to 166. Greene County Health Department said Sunday all cases in the county are now considered recovered.
May 17, 4:10 p.m.
Latest State Numbers
The Illinois Department of Public Health Sunday announced 1,734 additional people were diagnosed with the coronavirus disease. The latest numbers show 51 more deaths for a total of 4,177 since the pandemic began. COVID-19 has been found in 100 of the state's 102 counties.
May 16, 6:15 p.m.
Three New Cases in Macon County
Macon County authorities are reporting three newly-confirmed cases of COVID-19, bringing the overall number of confirmed cases in the county to 164.
May 16, 5:00 p.m.
Sangamon County COVID-19 Update
The Sangamon County Department of Public Health reports six new positive cases of COVID-19. The total number of Sangamon County residents with confirmed cases is 314, including 26 deaths. Currently, 8 confirmed positive Sangamon County residents are hospitalized.
May 16, 4:00 p.m.
One New COVID-19 Case at The Villas in Sherman
The Sangamon County Department of Public Health has announced one new positive case of COVID-19 at The Villas Senior Care Community. The new positive is a female staff member in her 50s. Currently, no residents or staff members are hospitalized.
The total number of confirmed positives related to the facility includes 62 residents and 46 staff members, for a total of 108 cases, including 21 deaths.
May 16, 3:00 p.m.
IDPH Statewide Medical Update for Saturday
The state Department of Public Health announced Saturday afternoon 2,088 new positive cases of COVID-19 with 74 additional deaths.
Illinois is reporting a collective 92,457 cases, including 4,129 deaths so far in 100 counties.
23,047 COVID-19 tests were completed in the last day across the state, for a total of 561,649 so far. The statewide 7-day rolling positivity rate for COVID-19 tests is 15 percent.
May 15, 5:40 p.m.
Area COVID-19 Update
The Sangamon County Department of Public Health announcing one new death Friday. The patient was a female in her 60’s that tested positive for COVID-19 on April 28. She was an inpatient at Memorial Medical Center. Eight more individuals in the county are confirmed to have the disease, bringing the overall total to 308, with 26 deaths. Currently, eight residents are hospitalized.
A 17th Macon County resident with COVID-19 has died. The man in his 80s was a resident at Fair Havens Senior Living long-term care facility. The county also has three more people testing positive for a total of 161 since the padnemic began.
Christian County, which is releasing a weekly update on cases, showed two more people testing positive in the past week. There are two additional cases in Montgomery County.
May 15, 3:50 p.m.
IDPH Numbers Update
The state Department of Public Health announced 2,432 new positive cases with 130 additional deaths.
Illinois is reporting a collective 90,369 cases, including 4,058 deaths so far in 99 counties.
26,565 COVID-19 tests were completed in the last day across the state, for a total of 538,602 so far. The statewide 7-day rolling positivity rate for COVID-19 tests is 16 percent.
May 15, 1:30 p.m.
Secretary of State’s Office Opening Drive-Through Services
The State Secretary’s office announced drive-through vehicle registration renewal services at seven facilities across the state.
Starting May 19, residents can receive stickers for their vehicles while practicing social distancing. The facilities are in the Northern, Southern and Western parts of Chicago, Macomb, Rockford-Central, Springfield-Dirksen and Tilton. Employees will still be required to wear face masks while residents are encouraged to do so.
A statement read: Hours of operation at Chicago North, Chicago South and Chicago West will be Monday 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., Tuesday through Friday 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Cash will not be accepted. Hours of operation at Rockford-Central, Macomb and Tilton will be Tuesday 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Wednesday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday 7:30 a.m. to noon. Hours of operation at Springfield-Dirksen are Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
May 14, 6:15 p.m.
Illinois Catholic Churches Release Phased-In Reopening Plan
Catholic dioceses across Illinois said Thursday they have developed a phased-in plan (LINK: https://www.dio.org/media/attachments/2020/05/13/bishop-paprocki-letter-and-province-of-chicago-plan-5-13-2020.pdf) to reopen the denomination’s churches in the coming weeks.
The Church is allowed to gradually begin offering Communion as well as services like baptisms to a limited number of people. Speaking in a video announcement, Springfield Bishop Thomas Paprocki said churches there will be allowed to start offering mass with limitations.
“Our first public masses will have new temporary features such as an advanced sign up or alphabetical rotations to limit size of the congregations," Paprocki said. "Along with roped off pews and procedures for processions that ensure proper spacing."
Each church will have to certify they have implemented public health requirements before larger services are held. That includes holding webinar trainings for certain volunteers.
New Web Portal for Jobseekers
Illinois has launched a new online portal for workers who may have lost their jobs, or who are transitioning to other career fields during the pandemic.
The websitehas links to job postings from a number of sources, as well as to online training courses and certification programs.
At least 70 employers have said they will be hosting virtual job fairs with the new portal
COVID-19 Updates By County
The Macon County Department of Public reported six new COVID-19 cases, bringing the overall number to 158, including 16 deaths.
Sangamon County’s Department of Public Health announced eight new COVID-19 cases Thursday, bringing the county's total to 300, including 25 deaths.
Currently, seven Sangamon County residents are hospitalized with the respiratory disease.
Morgan County is reporting one additional case of COVID-19, for a total of 34 including one death.
Macoupin County announced two additional cases Thursday, bringing the total to 41, including one death.
There is one new case in Christian County, bringing the total to 31, including four deaths.
Update on The Villas Senior Care Community
Sangamon County officials confirmed Thursday there are no new positive cases or deaths at The Villas Senior Care Community, and no residents or staff members are currently hospitalized.
62 residents and 45 staff members in all have contracted COVID-19. 21 people have died.
May 14, 3:35 p.m.
Illinois Sees Nearly 4,000 COVID-19 Related Deaths
The Illinois Department of Public Health has reported 3,239 new COVID-19 cases, bringing the state’s total to 87,937. There are 138 new deaths, meaning 3,928 in all have died from the disease so far.
The state has performed 512,037 tests so far, 22,678 of which were completed in the last day.
99 of the state's 102 counties are now reporting a case. The statewide seven day rolling positivity rate is 17 percent.
May 13, 4:20 p.m.
Area Cases Update
Sangamon County reported seven more people with COVID-19, for a total of 292. One case that had been counted in Sangamon County has been assigned to Coles County. During the pandemic, Sangamon County has had 25 deaths of people diagnosed with COVID-19 . Twenty one were residents of The Villas Senior Living Community. On Wednesday, another resident of The Villas, a man in his 60s, was confirmed to have the disease.
Macon County authorities report one additional person tested positive in the past 24 hours, bringing the county's total to 152 since the pandemic began.
Morgan County has two additional people who have tested positive, a man in his 80s and a woman in her 40s. The woman is self-isolating at home. The man is in a healthcare setting. The county's total number of cases stands at 33.
Cass County has reported a total of 60 people confirmed with COVID-19, although 28 have recovered.
May 13, 3 p.m.
Highest One-day Death Toll
The Illinois Department of Public Health reports 192 people have died from COVID-19 in the last day, the highest one-day total so far. This comes after a record number of new cases were announced Tuesday.
The department also reports 1,677 new confirmed cases of the disease, bringing the statewide total to 84,698, including 3,792 deaths.
More than 489,000 people have been tested.
May 13, 3 p.m.
Illinois House And Senate To Meet
The Illinois House of Representatives will meet next week at the Bank of Springfield Center, according to emailed communication to members and sent to the media.
The Illinois Senate will meet at the Capitol, according to a statement from Senate President Don Harmon.
Legislators will be asked to get tested for COVID-19 in the days before.
Large tables will be arranged on the convention center floor to accommodate 6-feet social distance between lawmakers. Members of the public and media will be allowed on the mezzanine level.
Face coverings will be required and everyone entering the convention center must have their temperature checked, with those having a temperature of 100 degrees fahrenheit or higher being asked to leave and get tested.
May 12, 2020 5:10 p.m.
Sangamon County Update
The Sangamon County Health Department reports 11 new COVID-19 cases in Sangamon county. The county is up to 286 cases. 25 deaths have been reported. Currently eight Sangamon County residents are hospitalized.
May 12, 2020 5:00 p.m.
Villas Update
Here is an update from the Sangamon County Department of Public Health on the status of COVID-19 at the Villas Senior Care Community.
“We are announcing two new positive cases at The Villas Senior Care Community. The new positives include a female staff member in her 40's and a female resident in her 90's.
Currently, no residents or staff members are hospitalized.
The total number of confirmed positives include 61 residents and 45 staff members, for a total of 106 cases, including 21 deaths.
May 12, 2020 3:55 p.m.
Latest numbers from area
The Macon County Health Department reports five newly-confirmed case of COVID-19. Overall, there have been151 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Macon County. 16 people have died from COVID-19 since the outbreak began.
Morgan county had no new cases Tuesday.
May 12, 2:25 p.m.
More Kids Stuff
Governor JB Pritzker announced that the All In Illinois website will now offer a kid-friendly content series to connect children and families with educational resources from Illinois museums and attractions. The content series features videos and activities to inspire, educate and entertain children while we all continue to stay home to flatten the curve against the coronavirus pandemic.
To launch the new series, All In Illinois is proud to partner with the Field Museum in Chicago, John Deere Pavilion in Moline, the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum in Springfield and several attractions in southern Illinois. New kid-friendly content will be released on the website from partners across the state over the next four weeks. Content will also be featured weekly on social media channels. The series will kick off with a video from Emily Graslie, Chief Curiosity Correspondent at the Field Museum and host of “Brain Scoop,” a popular vlog on YouTube.
To view Emily Graslie’s new video, click here.
May 11, 5:25 p.m.
Old Capitol Farmer's Market Changes
The market on Adams Street in downtown Springfield will begin its summer season on Saturday May 16. But those attending will notice differences from past years, due to the coronavirus.
Vendor booths will be set up in the middle of the street facing outward to provide more space for social distancing. Read about more of the changeshere.
May 11, 4:20 p.m.
The Villas COVID-19 Update
The Sangamon County Department of Public Health reported the 21st death related to the coronavirus disease at The Villas Senior Care Community. The patient was a female in her 80s who had tested positive April 24. She died at Memorial Medical Center. Currently, no residents or staff members are hospitalized.
The total number of cases include 60 residents and 44 staff members, for a total of 104 cases.
Overall in Sangamon County, 25 people have died from COVID-19. There have been 275 cases, including five more announced Monday. Seven residents are hospitalized.
May 11, 4:00 p.m.
Decatur Nursing Home Death
The Macon County Health Department reported the 16th county resident with COVID-19 has died. The individual was a male in his 70s and a resident at Fair Havens Senior Living in Decatur. Macon County also has another person diagnosed with the disease, bringing the overall total to 146. Thus far, 1,484 tests have been completed in the county.
May 11, 3:00 p.m.
COVID-19 Testing At Illinois Veterans' Homes
According to the Pritzker administration, the home in Manteno is reporting 40 people with COVID-19 – 30 residents and 10 staff. One resident at the LaSalle home tested positive, but has since tested negative. There have been no cases reported at the Anna or Quincy homes. All residents and staff at Manteno and LaSalle have been tested. Specimens are currently being collected at the home in Anna and will be collected at the Quincy home on Wednesday.
The Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs said it is following guidance from state and local health officials, which includes continuing health screenings, maintaining social distancing practices, wearing face masks, using gloves and gowns when indicated, and intensified cleaning.
May 11, 11:50 a.m.
Pritzker Staff Member Tests Positive For COVID-19
The staffer was based at the Thompson Center in Chicago and was asymptomatic before being confirmed to have the disease last week. Approximately 20 staff members have been regularly reporting for work in the office. This person was in close contact with the governor and others. Gov. J.B. Pritzker was tested early Sunday and tested negative.
According to a news release, the office will undergo deep cleaning, and staff are monitoring themselves for symptoms. The Governor and staff will return to the office when IDPH deems appropriate. Staff will work remotely until that time. Gov. Pritzker will continue to hold daily media briefimngs Monday-Friday.
In early April, another staff member in the governor's office tested positive.
May 11, 11:25 a.m.
Bradley University Committed To On-Campus Instruction This Fall
Bradley University announced its commitment to resume on-campus classes for the fall 2020 semester while keeping the health and safety of all students, faculty and staff as its top priority. The university is working through several plans of action for reinstating campus operations with the final determination of how and when to be based on federal, state and local health guidelines.
The Return to Campus team is looking at various areas of the campus and to determine the safest and most efficient means of operation in accordance with governmental guidelines. Subcommittees are currently considering how to modify classroom setups, laboratory access, common area access, residential living and event protocols in an effort to incorporate social distancing. Other plans may include hybrid learning, with some instructional elements continuing online while others resume on campus and in smaller class sizes. Bradley has already implemented enhanced cleaning protocols — including the use of disinfectants, specialized equipment and adjusting when and how commonly used surfaces are sterilized in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
Bradley University is scheduled to reopen residence halls Saturday, August 22, with on-campus classes resuming Wednesday, August 26. The university will continue to update students and their families as the new school year approaches.
May 10, 6:45 p.m.
Area Update
Sangamon County Public Health announced three more individuals tested postive as of Sunday, bringing the county's total to 270 with 24 deaths. Eight residents with COVID-19 are hospitalized.
Macoupin County reports 38 total cases since the pandemic began. Nine of those are considered active, with three individuals hospitalized. There has been one death in the county.
Four more people in Macon County are confirmed to have COVID-19. The county's total stands at 145.
