IL Public Health Officials Announce 1,529 New Cases of Coronavirus

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) today announced 1,529 new cases of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Illinois, including 82 additional deaths. 

• Boone County: 1 female 80s

• Cook County: 1 male 30s, 4 males 40s, 2 females 50s, 8 males 50s, 2 females 60s, 7 males 60s, 12 females 70s, 7 males 70s, 4 females 80s, 10 males 80s, 2 females 90s, 2 males 90s

• DuPage County: 1 male 60s, 1 female 70s, 1 female 80s, 1 male 80s,

• Kane County: 1 male 60s

• Lake County: 2 females 80s, 1 female 90s

• Macon County: 1 male 80s

• Madison County: 1 female 60s

• McHenry County: 1 male 70s

• St. Clair County: 1 male 70s

• Tazewell County: 1 female 80s

• Will County: 1 female 60s, 2 males 60s, 2 males 70s, 2 females 80s

Stark county is now reporting a case.  Currently, IDPH is reporting a total of 15,078 cases, including 462 deaths, in 78 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.

WGH's COVID-19 DAILY UPDATE - 4/7/202

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.  

Today, IDPH released there are 13,549 positive cases throughout 77 counties in Illinois and 380 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. 

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 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 1,287 New Cases of Coronavirus

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) today announced 1,287 new cases of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Illinois, including 73 additional deaths. 

• Champaign County: 1 male 80s

• Christian County: 1 female 80s

• Cook County: 1 female 30s, 2 males 30s, 3 females 40s, 2 males 40s, 1 female 50s, 2 males 50s, 2 females 60s, 4 males 60s, 4 females 70s, 5 males 70s, 1 unknown, 8 females 80s, 5 males 80s, 1 male 90s

• DuPage County: 1 male 40s, 1 female 80s, 2 males 80s

• Ford County: 1 male 80s

• Kane County: 1 male 70s, 1 male 80s, 1 female 90s

• Kankakee County: 1 female 60s

• Lake County: 1 female 40s, 1 male 50s, 1 female 70s, 1 male 70s, 1 female 90s

• Madison County: 1 female 80s

• McHenry County: 1 female 70s

• Monroe County: 1 male 80s

• Tazewell County: 1 male 80s

• Will County: 1 female 50s, 2 females 60s, 1 male 60s, 3 females 70s, 1 female 80s, 2 males 80s

• Winnebago County: 2 males 80s

Coles, Lawrence, Richland, and Shelby counties are now reporting cases.  Currently, IDPH is reporting a total of 13,549 cases, including 380 deaths, in 77 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.     

City Puts Hold On Water Disconnects

From City Clerk Rudy Witsman: Due to the health and financial difficulties our water customers are facing at this time the City of Mt. Carmel has instituted the following policy for the month of April.

As of April 1, 2020, the City of Mount Carmel has put a hold on water disconnects and penalties for the next 30 days. You are still required to pay for water usage during this time.

The City strongly urges water customers to continue to pay their accounts during this time. If you can’t pay your total bill the City encourages you to at least make a partial payment.

County Board May Go To Remote Meetings

Wabash County Board meetings may soon become online affairs. Monday, commissioners held their session in the courtroom, with all those in attendance spread out all around the room. Two others were present via teleconference, with Health Department administrator Judy Wissel giving her report while online. The Board officially recessed the meeting until next Monday at 4:30pm to give commissioners more options if the coronavirus continues to spread. The April 13th session may end up online, though the board is still trying to work out how to make it accessible to the public.

County Board And City Council Hear COVID-19 Updates

Wabash County has struck out in its’ effort to land some personal protection equipment, or PPE’s from the state. Health Department administrator Judy Wissel appeared remotely at today’s County Board meeting via Zoom Meeting…

 Now that Wabash County has its’ first confirmed case of the coronavirus, the County has taken the first step towards a potential disaster declaration by adopting a proclamation confirming the virus is now here. That now puts on the record the costs associated with mitigating the pandemic, with the hopes of recouping possible state and/or federal money that may be needed later on. Commissioners were quick to point out that the measure does not change any measures the county has already taken to fight the spread of the virus.

At today’s Mt. Carmel City Council meeting, Mayor Joe Judge also addressed the county’s first positive COVID-19 case saying everyone needs to do their part in containing the spread of the disease…

Because of the COVID-19 restrictions, the city council again met in the lobby of City Hall with commissioners and the media all practicing proper social distancing guidelines.

Cynthiana man arrested on DUI charge

On April 3, 2020, at 11:30 p.m. Gibson County Deputies Loren Barchett and Brian Naas conducted a traffic stop on Elm Street in Haubstadt after observing the driver of a 2013 Toyota pickup fail to signal their turn off of State Road 68. Upon approaching the vehicle Deputy Naas detected the odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from the driver 27-year-old Mitchell Davis of Cynthiana. At that point Deputy Nass and Deputy Barchett began a roadside DUI investigation. At the conclusion of their investigation Mr. Davis was taken into custody and transported to the Gibson County Jail. Upon arriving at the Gibson County Jail Mr. Davis was charged with Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated. He has since posted a $750 bond.

All Criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Princeton man arrested on DUI charge

On April 4, 2020, at 1:55 a.m. Gibson County Deputies Loren Barchett and Brian Naas conducted a traffic stop on a Black Chevy Silverado for speeding on State Road 65 north of Owensville, Indiana. Upon approaching the vehicle Deputy Naas identified the driver as 37-year-old Myron Berry of Princeton. While speaking with Mr. Berry Deputy Naas believed that Mr. Berry may be impaired during alcohol consumption. At that point Deputy Brian Naas and Deputy Loren Barchett began a roadside DUI investigation. At the conclusion of their investigation Mr. Berry was taken into custody and transported to the Gibson County Jail. Upon arriving at the Gibson County Jail Mr. Berry was charged with Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated. He has since posted a $450 bond.

All Criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

911 report of road rage incident leads to arrest of duo on drug charges

On April 5, 2020, at 4:08 p.m. Gibson County Central Dispatch received a 911 report of a road rage incident on US 41 near County Road 550 North. Deputies from the Gibson County Sheriff’s Office as well as the Indiana State Police were dispatched to the area. Upon locating the vehicles Deputy Garrett Tuley and Indiana State Trooper Jordan Lee began an investigation into the incident. During the investigation Methamphetamines and other illegal items were found in both vehicles. Trooper Lee placed 31-year-old Chelsea Miller of Lawrenceville, Illinois into custody and transported her to the Gibson County Jail where she was charged with Possession of Methamphetamines and Possession of Paraphernalia. Ms. Miller has since posted a $1500 bond.

Deputy Garrett Tuley placed 25-year-old Christopher Burke of Oaktown into custody at the end of his investigation and transported him to the Gibson County Jail. Upon arriving at the Gibson County Jail M r. Burk was charged with Possession of Methamphetamines, Possession of a Synthetic Drug, Possession of Cocaine (over 3 grams), Possession of Marijuana, and Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated. Mr. Burke has since posted a $1500 bond.

Assisting Trooper Lee and Deputy Tuley in their investigation was Deputy Zach Lienemann and Princeton Officer Matthew Perry.

All Criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Bellmont Man Arrested For Violating Order Of Protection

On 04.06.2020 Wabash County Judge William C. Hudson issued a warrant for the arrest of Nathan S. Sales, 31 of Bellmont in Wabash County case # 2020-CF-20. At 14:57 hrs. Deputy Bogard took Sales into custody at the Wabash County Courthouse. Sales' warrant alleges a violation of an order of protection with a cash bond of $4,000. Sales is currently in the Wabash County Jail awaiting a first advisement. Sales was last arrested for a violation of order of protection on 03.06.2020.