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Today, IDPH released there are 12,262 positive cases throughout 73 counties in Illinois and 307 deaths. Wabash County currently has one positive case and we are aware of other counties in the area reporting more positive cases. Please continue to take the COVID-19 pandemic seriously and take all precautions to maintain social distancing recommendations. Wash your hands frequently and isolate yourself if you are not feeling well.

If you are experiencing symptoms and are concerned about COVID-19, please call our 24/7 COVID-19 Hotline at (618)263-6233 prior to coming to the hospital and to schedule an appointment in the Respiratory Clinic. Wabash General Hospital’s Respiratory Clinic is open during the week from 2:00 PM – 8:00 PM and from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM on the weekend. Our Convenient Care remains open and still be located in the hospital.

WGH has plenty of testing capacity and continues to test for COVID-19, influenza, strep, and RSV through drive-thru testing in order to protect the health and well-being of our patients, visitors and staff. WGH has a couple options available for testing. You can do drive-thru testing with a provider order, call the WGH 24/7 COVID-19 Hotline Number or be seen in the Respiratory Clinic. WGH has drive-thru testing available at Wabash General Hospital in Mt. Carmel and WGH’s Albion Medical Clinic in Edwards County, Illinois.
All of our offices, including our Grayville and Albion locations, remain open and will continue to treat all who seek care at each location. We have taken measures to protect patients coming to our offices. Please call the office to make an appointment prior to arriving. All patients being seen at one of our clinic locations in person, should stay in their vehicle upon arrival and check in by calling the office. The office will contact you when we have an exam room ready. We continue to offer virtual visits to allow access our services in a safe and convenient manner. Please contact 618-263-6234 to see if you are eligible for a virtual visit and to schedule a virtual visit appointment. Patients experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, should not use the virtual visits and continue to use the 24/7 COVID-19 Hotline or Respiratory Clinic.

We have an outpatient lab site available at our General Surgery Office (1430 College Drive, Mount Carmel, Illinois) for anyone who would like to receive their regular labs. Upon arrival, please remain in your vehicle and call (618)263-6182 to check in for outpatient labs. Our main entrance and emergency entrance are open and we continue to screen all individuals entering our campus as a precaution. Our visiting hours are from 7:00-8:00 AM and 5:00-6:00 PM. We do have iPads available for patients to visit via video call with their loved ones.

Please continue to watch our Facebook page for updates. We continue to take pride in serving you and your loved ones for all health and wellness needs.

IN Governor Issues New Stay at Home Order

INDIANAPOLIS β€” Governor Eric J. Holcomb today issued a new two-week Stay At Home order designed to limit interactions among Hoosiers to increase containment of COVID-19. As of today, 4,944 people have tested positive and 139 people have died from the disease. There are now positive tests in 89 of 92 counties. Click here to see the executive order: https://www.in.gov/gov/2384.htm

As a part of this action, Gov. Holcomb also extended for two weeks the orders that limit in-person public activity at state government offices and put restrictions on the operation of restaurants, bars and nightclubs.

β€œHoosiers have done a great job adapting to the new rules put in place during this public health emergency, but I believe the next two weeks to month could be the most critical for all of us,” said Gov. Holcomb. β€œSo I am asking you to take even more precautions: only make in-person purchases when absolutely needed and use other delivery and pickup options when available. Limit who is traveling with you and entering stores.”

While the Stay At Home order chiefly continues as is, modifications and restrictions have been made to limit interactions among people. Here are some highlights of EO 20-18:

  • Retail businesses that provide necessities of life may remain open but should limit the number of customers in the establishment at any given time; implement hours for elderly and other vulnerable populations, as well as limit hours of operation to restock and clean; and comply with all mitigation measures to protect employees and the public. A list of such businesses is included in the executive order.

  • All other retail business may remain open if they restrict sales to online or call-in ordering with delivery or curbside pickup.

  • Professional services should be conducted virtually or by telephone.

  • All campgrounds will be closed except for those who use recreational vehicles or cabins as their primary residence. State parks remain open to daily visitors.

  • Hoosiers are reminded that all public and private gatherings of any kind that include more than 10 people are prohibited.

  • All employers, regardless of type, must continue to comply with the Indiana Occupational Safety and Health Administration (IOSHA) standards and safety and health standards established and enforced by IOSHA. IOSHA is actively accepting and investigating complaints of violations. The complaint process may be accessed at https://www.in.gov/dol/

  • In addition to IOSHA investigations, Gov. Holcomb has directed the creation of a multi-agency enforcement response team, led by the Indiana Alcohol and Tobacco Commission to respond to and investigate other violations of the new order. Much like the enforcement of the restaurant, bar and nightclub executive order, this team will be charged with helping business owners comply with the order before issuing a directive to close a business.

To allow retail, campgrounds and other establishments to make adjustments, enforcement will not begin until 24 hours after the order takes effect. The effective date and time of the order is 11:59 p.m. April 6 (today).

The Critical Industries Hotline will be available from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET Monday through Friday to respond to business and industry questions about whether a business is considered essential. The center may be reached by calling 877-820-0890 or by emailing covidresponse@iedc.in.gov

Answers to frequently asked questions and instructions to file for COVID-19-related unemployment are available at Unemployment.IN.gov.

A link an updated Stay-At-Home Order FAQ may be found here: https://www.in.gov/gov/3232.htm Please refer to this FAQ page for guidance and clarifications.

IL Public Health Officials Announce 1,006 New Cases of Coronavirus Disease

SPRINGFIELD β€“ The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) today announced 1,006 new cases of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Illinois, including 33 additional deaths. 

  • Cook County: 1 male 30s, 2 males 40s, 1 female 50s, 2 males 50s, 5 females 60s, 1 male 60s, 5 females 70s, 2 males 70s, 1 female 80s, 2 males 80s

  • DeKalb County: 1 male 50s

  • Lake County: 2 males 80s

  • Will County: 1 male 40s, 1 male 50s, 2 males 70s, 2 females 80s, 2 males 80s

Jefferson and Wabash counties are now reporting cases.  Currently, IDPH is reporting a total of 12,262 cases, including 307 deaths, in 73 counties in Illinois.  The age of cases ranges from younger than one to older than 100 years. 

For all personal protective equipment (PPE) donations, email PPE.donations@illinois.gov.  For health questions about COVID-19, call the hotline at 1-800-889-3931 or email dph.sick@illinois.gov.     

*All data is provisional and will change.

IL Public Health Officials Announce 899 New Cases of Coronavirus Disease

SPRINGFIELD β€“ The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) today announced 899 new cases of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Illinois, including 31 additional deaths. 

  • Cook County: 2 male 40’s, 3 female 50’s, 1 male 50’s, 1 female 60’s, 2 male 60’s, 2 female 70’s, 2 male 70’s, 4 female 80’s, 1 male 80’s, 1 female 90’s

  • DuPage County: 3 female 70’s, 1 female 80’s

  • Kane County: 1 male 70’s, 2 female 80’s

  • Kankakee County: 1 female 80’s

  • Lake County: 1 male 60’s

  • Montgomery: 1 male 50’s

  • Peoria: 1 male 90’s

  • Will: 1 male 60’s

Boone, Calhoun and Gallatin counties are now reporting cases.  Currently, IDPH is reporting a total of 11,256 cases, including 274 deaths, in 71 counties in Illinois.  The age of cases ranges from younger than one to older than 100 years. 

For all personal protective equipment (PPE) donations, email PPE.donations@illinois.gov.  For health questions about COVID-19, call the hotline at 1-800-889-3931 or email dph.sick@illinois.gov.     

Pritzker Announces Expansion of Emergency Child Care and Additional Financial Support for Emergency Child Care Centers

CHICAGO – Building on the State’s robust response to support families of essential workers and child care providers throughout Illinois during the COVID-19 pandemic, Governor JB Pritzker announced an expansion of eligibility to support essential workers’ child care needs and an increase in financial support for emergency child care centers and homes.

β€œWe have essential workers and healthcare professionals who can’t stay home with their kids because they are heroically going out to do their jobs, which are vital for public safety and to make sure other families can get the food and gas and pharmacy goods they may need,” said Governor JB Pritzker. β€œOur essential workforce deserves to know their kids are safe and cared for in a small and affordable group setting.”

Effective April 1st, all essential workers in health care, human services, essential government services, and essential infrastructure now qualify for the state’s Child Care Assistance Program. The state will cover most of the cost of care provided by emergency child care centers and homes. This expansion of eligibility includes those working as nurses and doctors, supporting staff in hospitals, grocery store clerks and food producers.

Full details and applications for assistance are available on the Department of Human Services (IDHS) website DHS.illinois.gov/helpishere and coronavirus.illinois.gov.

For emergency child care centers and homes, the state will be paying enhanced reimbursement rates effective April 1st. The enhanced reimbursement rate is 30 percent above the usual pay rate. The change seeks to reflect the additional costs of providing care in smaller groups.

Child care centers that are interested in re-opening as emergency child centers are able to apply for a permit through the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS). Information is available on the Governor’s Office of Early Childhood Development (GOECD) website www2.illinois.gov/sites/OECD. Home child care providers do not need a permit, and can serve up to 6 children.

This effort builds on previous initiatives expanding financial relief to child care providers across Illinois.

The state developed a simple waiver process to allow child care providers to be paid for all of their enrolled children in the Child Care Assistance Program for March and April so that child care staff could continue to receive pay through this crisis. The state also reduced parent co-payments in April and May to $1 per month to relieve cost burdens on parents and to make sure that providers don’t miss out on this important revenue. 

In order to educate providers on the support available for small businesses in the federal CARES Act, GOECD is providing a webinar the morning of Monday, April 6 for providers. For more information, providers can visit www2.illinois.gov/sites/OECD/Pages/COVID-19.aspx.

The state established the Emergency Child Care program to ensure there would be safe child care homes and centers, with smaller group sizes, to care for children of essential workers. Over 550 centers have received the Emergency Child Care permit. Over 1,500 home child care providers have reported that they are still providing care, many of them on the critical night and weekend shifts that are so necessary for essential workers.

Last week the state also announced one-time stipends to providers. 1,100 homes and centers have already applied. Child care providers that are interested in applying should contact their local Child Care Resource & Referral agency, or download the application from coronavirus.illinois.gov.

The state is providing these resources to child care providers because it recognizes that it is critical to safeguard the fiscal stability of providers until they are ready to serve families again when it is safe for them to fully re-open.

 

IL Public Health Officials Announce 1,453 New Cases of Coronavirus

SPRINGFIELD β€“ The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) today announced 1,453 new cases of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Illinois, including 33 additional deaths.

  • Cook County: 1 male 20s, 1 male 30s, 1 female 40s, 2 males 40s, 1 male 50s, 1 female 60s, 1 male 60s, 3 females 70s, 6 males 70s, 2 females 80s, 2 males 80s, 1 female 90s, 1 male 90s

  • DuPage County: 1 male 70s, 1 female 100+

  • Jackson County: 1 female 90s

  • Kane County: 1 female 60s, 1 male 60s, 1 female 70s

  • Kankakee County: 1 male 70s

  • Lake County: 1 female 80s

  • Will County: 1 male 50s, 1 female 60s

Jasper, Lee, Mason, and Pike counties are now reporting cases.  Currently, IDPH is reporting a total of 10,357 cases, including 243 deaths, in 68 counties in Illinois.  The age of cases ranges from younger than one to older than 100 years. 

For all personal protective equipment (PPE) donations, email PPE.donations@illinois.gov.  For health questions about COVID-19, call the hotline at 1-800-889-3931 or email dph.sick@illinois.gov.   

WGH OPENS DRIVE-THRU COVID TESTING IN ALBION

Starting Monday, April 6, 2020, drive-thru COVID testing will begin at WGH’s Albion Medical Clinic. Testing will be available at this location Monday – Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. If patients have a provider order, the patient should call (618)445-8170 to notify the office they will be coming for testing. Patients are able to go through this drive-thru testing even if they received their order from a provider not on Wabash General Hospital’s staff. If a patient does not have a provider order, the patient should call WGH’s COVID-19 Hotline Number (618)263-6233 to see if they are eligible to receive a provider order for testing.

Today, IDPH released there are 8,904 positive cases throughout 64 counties in Illinois and 210 deaths. Please continue to take the COVID-19 pandemic seriously and take all precautions to maintain social distancing recommendations. Wash your hands frequently and isolate yourself if you are not feeling well. 

If you are experiencing symptoms and are concerned about COVID-19, please call (618)263-6233 prior to coming to the hospital and to schedule an appointment in the Respiratory Clinic. Wabash General Hospital’s Respiratory Clinic is open during the week from 2:00 PM – 8:00 PM and from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM on the weekend. Our Convenient Care remains open and still be located in the hospital.  

WGH has plenty of testing capacity and continues to test for COVID-19, influenza, strep, and RSV through drive-thru testing in order to protect the health and well-being of our patients, visitors and staff. WGH has a couple options available for testing. You can do drive-thru testing with a provider order, call the WGH COVID-19 Hotline Number or be seen in the Respiratory Clinic.  All of our offices, including our Grayville and Albion locations, remain open and will continue to treat all who seek care at each location. We have taken measures to protect patients coming to our offices. Please call the office to make an appointment prior to arriving. All patients being seen at one of our clinic locations in person, should stay in their vehicle upon arrival and check in by calling the office. The office will contact you when we have an exam room ready. We continue to offer virtual visits to allow access our services in a safe and convenient manner. Please contact 618-263-6234 to see if you are eligible for a virtual visit and to schedule a virtual visit appointment. Patients experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, should not use the virtual visits and continue to use the COVID-19 Hotline or Respiratory Clinic. 

We have an outpatient lab site available at our General Surgery Office (1430 College Drive, Mount Carmel, Illinois) for anyone who would like to receive their regular labs. Upon arrival, please remain in your vehicle and call (618)263-6182 to check in for outpatient labs.  Our main entrance and emergency entrance are open and we continue to screen all individuals entering our campus as a precaution. Our visiting hours are from 7:00-8:00 AM and 5:00-6:00 PM. We do have iPads available for patients to visit via video call with their loved ones. 

Please continue to watch our Facebook page for updates. We continue to take pride in serving you and your loved ones for all health and wellness needs. 

 

IL Public Health Officials Announce 1,209 New Cases of Coronavirus Disease

SPRINGFIELD β€“ The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) today announced 1,209 new cases of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Illinois, including 53 additional deaths. 

  • Christian County: 1 female 80s

  • Cook County: 1 male 30s, 1 female 50s, 4 male 50s, 4 females 60s, 6 males 60s, 1 unknown 60s, 2 females 70s, 6 males 70s, 2 females 80s, 1 male 80s, 4 females 90s, 1 female 100s

  • DuPage County: 1 male 50s, 1 male 70s

  • Kane County: 1 female 90s

  • Kankakee County: 1 female 40s, 1 male 80s

  • Lake County: 1 male 40s, 2 female 60s, 4 male 60s, 2 males 70s, 1 female 90s, 1 male 90s

  • Will County: 1 female 80s, 1 male 80s, 1 male 90s

DeWitt, Effingham, and Jersey counties are now reporting cases.  Currently, IDPH is reporting a total of 8,904 cases, including 210 deaths, in 64 counties in Illinois.  The age of cases ranges from younger than one to older than 100 years. 

For all personal protective equipment (PPE) donations, email PPE.donations@illinois.gov.  For health questions about COVID-19, call the hotline at 1-800-889-3931 or email dph.sick@illinois.gov.    

Three Juveniles Picked Up After Tuesday Incident

03/31/2020-Mt. Carmel Police cited a 13-year-old boy for operating a motor vehicle without a driver's license, resisting arrest, and illegal consumption of alcohol after police were notified the boy was operating a motor vehicle with two other juveniles.  Police caught up with the driver in the 400 block of W. 3rd Street.  Police observed the 13-year-old male driving a 2010 Nissan and stopped the vehicle.  There were two juvenile passengers in the vehicle. They were identified as a 14-year-old female and a 13-year-old male.  Police located alcohol in the vehicle and found the three juveniles to be under the influence of alcohol.  The two passengers were cited for illegal consumption of alcohol by a minor and turned over to their parents.  Police discovered the owner of the Nissan provided the vehicle's keys to the 13-year-old and allowed him to drive.  Police sent the report to the Wabash County States Attorney requesting charges be filed against the Nissan's owner.