IL Public Health Officials Announce 1,465 New Cases of Coronavirus

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) today announced 1,465 new cases of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Illinois, including 68 additional deaths. 

• Cook County: 1 male 20s, 1 female 30s, 1 female 50s, 7 males 50s, 3 females 60s, 5 males 60s, 4 females 70s, 10 males 70s, 3 females 80s, 6 males 80s, 4 females 90s, 2 males 90s

• DuPage County: 1 male 60s, 3 males 70s, 1 female 80s, 1 male 80s

• Kane County: 2 males 70s

• Kankakee County: 1 male 50s

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

• Rock Island County: 1 female 60s

• St. Clair County: 1 male 50s

• Will County: 1 female 60s, 1 male 60s, 2 males 70s, 1 female 90s, 1 male 90s

Fulton and Greene counties are now reporting a case.  Currently, IDPH is reporting a total of 17,887 cases, including 596 deaths, in 83 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.

Pritzker's Comments Throw Doubt Into Summer Events

GOVERNOR J-B PRITZKER SAYS ORGANIZERS OF LARGE SUMMER EVENTS SHOULD CONSIDERING CANCELING. THE CURRENT STAY AT HOME ORDER LASTS UNTIL APRIL 30TH…PRITZKER SAYS EVEN DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS, IT WILL PROBABLY BE TOO BIG OF A RISK TO HAVE BIG SOCIAL EVENTS.

Wabash County’s two big summer events come in July with the 4-H and Junior Fair followed two weeks later by Ag Days. As for the status of the 4-H and Junior Fair, fair board member Mike Wilson says things are still up in the air…

Wilson said he thinks some type of fair will be held…

Ultimately, Wilson said he believes the decision on whether or not there’s a local fair won’t be made at the local level. Instead, the Illinois Department of Agriculture, which oversees county fairs, will determine if fairs are held.

As of now, Ag Days, sponsored by the Wabash County Chamber of Commerce, is still on as scheduled for July 29th through August 1st according to Chamber Executive Director Lesley Hipsher. She said the Ag Days committee will meet via tele-conference in the next few weeks and more information will be released after that.

Conservation Officer, bystanders rescue New Harmony woman trapped under ORV

Indiana Conservation Officers are investigating an off-road vehicle (ORV) accident that occurred April 7 in Posey County. 

Posey County Central Dispatch received a 911 call at 4:28 p.m. about an ORV accident near the intersection of Hidbrader Road and Lang Road in New Harmony.

Indiana Conservation Officer Keith Wildeman responded to the scene, where the operator of the ORV was trapped underneath the ORV. Wildeman, with the assistance of bystanders, got the ORV off of the operator.

Initial investigation showed that the ORV was being driven Patricia Word, 56, of New Harmony.

She was traveling westbound on Hidbrader Road, pulling a trailer, when she lost control, overturning the ORV. A registered nurse who made the 911 call rendered aid until the ambulance arrived.   

Word was transported to Deaconess Hospital Midtown with head and spine injuries. She remains in the hospital in critical condition. 

The investigation is still ongoing.

Helmets and protective riding gear were not being worn at the time of the accident. Indiana Conservation Officers recommend using all available safety equipment, and Indiana law requires anyone under 18 who is operator or passenger on an ORV to wear a helmet. For more information on ORV safety, see offroad-ed.com/indiana.

Assisting agencies from Indiana included Wadesville Fire Department, Posey EMS, Posey County Sheriff’s Department, and New Harmony Fire Department. 

Indiana Governor Issues Guidance for Places of Worship

INDIANAPOLIS — Governor Eric J. Holcomb and State Health Commissioner Kris Box, M.D., FACOG, today issued guidance for places of worship in an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19.

“During this time of uncertainty, faith is more important than ever, and I am deeply grateful to our religious leaders for their efforts to find safe and creative ways to serve their communities,” Gov. Holcomb said. “The purpose of this guidance is not to restrict religious liberty, but to save lives during these extraordinary times. I look forward to the day where we can once again worship side-by-side without the threat of spreading coronavirus.”

Holcomb’s executive order 20-18 states all public and private gatherings, including religious and spiritual, should follow CDC guidance, which restricts gatherings to ten or less people. Click here to see executive orders: https://www.in.gov/gov/2384.htm

To continue safely serving their communities, faith institutions are directed as follows:

• Church buildings and other physical locations for worship should be closed.

• Livestream or other virtual services are best.

  • The minimum number of necessary personnel should be used at all times for any services.

  • Staff and volunteers who are not speaking should wear masks.

• Drive-in services may be conducted only under these conditions:

  • Attendees must be inside vehicles at all times.

  • Attendees should not interact physically with clergy, staff or participants in other vehicles.

  • Vehicles should contain only members of a single household. Do not bring your neighbors or others outside of your household.

  • Cars must be spaced the equivalent of every other parking spot or approximately 9 feet apart.

  • No one may exit a vehicle at any time.

  • Portable bathrooms are not allowed on the premises and no church facilities may be used by attendees.

  • It is preferred that no communion be distributed.

    • In instances when communion is distributed, only prepackaged communion may be used and must be prepared and distributed in a manner that meets food safety standards.

  • The following individuals who are vulnerable and at higher risk for illness should not attend:

    • Persons who are 65 years and older.

    • Those who have severe underlying medical conditions, like heart or lung disease or diabetes.

    • Individuals who are sick.

• The CDC has provided the following guidance for the faith community: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/organizations/guidance-community-faith-organizations.html

Click here to download public service announcements (PSAs) recorded by the state for your use: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/egf210ognxxyx4h/AADYd7E-tBn7P6gtiLSZUiVBa?dl=0

More information may be found at the ISDH website at coronavirus.in.gov and the CDC website at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html.

ISP DIRECTOR FILES EMERGENCY RULES REGARDING FOID AND CCL RENEWALS

Springfield, IL – The Illinois State Police filed emergency rules this week to address renewals of Firearm Owner Identification and Concealed Carry Licenses during the COVID-19 epidemic.

These rules are designed to provide FOID card holders and CCL relief from the renewal requirements during the effects of COVID-19 pandemic.

These rule changes are as follows:

• FOID card holders, who submit their renewal application will remain valid during the duration of the state’s disaster proclamation and for a period of 12 months following the termination of the disaster, even if their renewal application is/was not submitted prior to expiration.

• CCL licensees, who submit their renewal application, will remain valid during the duration of the state’s disaster proclamation and for a period of 12 months following its termination, even if their CCL renewal application was not submitted prior to expiration. 

• CCL licensees will not be required to immediately submit proof of three-hour training with their CCL renewal application.

• CCL licensees will need to submit proof of their three-hour renewal training within 12 months following the termination of the state’s disaster proclamation in order to maintain the validity of their CCL license.

ISP will continue to enforce both FOID and CCL prohibitors.  FOID card holders who receive revocation notices shall return their FOID and Firearm Disposition Record form to the Illinois State Police. CCL holders who receive revocation notices shall return their CCL license to the Illinois State Police.

These new rules are effective immediately.

WGH's COVID-19 DAILY UPDATE - 4/9/2020

Today, IDPH released there are 16,422 positive cases throughout 81 counties in Illinois and 528 deaths.  Wabash County currently has one positive case and we are aware there is a discrepancy on the IDPH website, but we have confirmed with the Wabash County Health Department.  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. 

Wabash General Hospital’s Convenient Care Clinic continues to offer virtual visits in order to protect patients, visitors and staff and to offer a convenient way to communicate with our providers.  Please call (618)262-8621 to schedule a virtual visit in the Convenient Care Clinic.  You do not have to be an established patient of Wabash General Hospital to use this service. 

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. 

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 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. 

Winds Flip Semi On I-70 In Clark County

ISP TRAFFIC CRASH ALERT

The Following Preliminary Information is Being Released by Illinois State Police

District 12

WHAT:                      Personal Injury Semi Crash

WHERE:                    Interstate 70 Westbound at Milepost 137 (Clark County)

WHEN:                      Wednesday, April 8, 2020, 7:22 p.m.

VEHICLE:                Unit 1:  Black 2018 Freightliner Truck Tractor Semi-Trailer

DRIVER:                   Unit 1: Tyquisha L. Bright, 22-year-old female of Tampa, FL

PASSENGER:           Unit 1:  Terrence V. Dickson, 42-year-old male of Monroe, LA               

PRELIMINARY:      Preliminary investigation indicates the following occurred:  Unit 1 was traveling westbound on Interstate 70 near milepost 137, when a severe cross wind from a thunderstorm caused the vehicle to overturn onto its driver’s side into the median. Unit 1 came to final rest in the median facing northwest with the truck tractor blocking the left (westbound) lane of traffic. The driver of Unit 1 was transported to an area hospital with injuries.

Severe Winds Whip Semi Off Of I-70 In Clark County Injuring 2

ISP TRAFFIC CRASH ALERT

The Following Preliminary Information is Being Released by Illinois State Police

District 12

WHAT:                      Personal Injury Semi Crash

WHERE:                     I-70 Eastbound at Milepost 133 (Clark County)

WHEN:                      Wednesday, April 8, 2020, 11:11 p.m.

VEHICLE:                Unit 1:  White Truck Tractor Semi-Trailer

DRIVER:                   Unit 1:  David B. Brown, 46-year-old male of Ojai, CA

PASSENGER:           Unit 1:   Peter E. Ruth, 55-year-old male of Camarillo, CA      

PRELIMINARY:      Preliminary investigation indicates the following occurred:  Unit 1 was traveling eastbound on Interstate 70 at milepost 133. Due to severe weather and high winds, Unit 1 was blown over on to the shoulder and turned over onto its passenger side. Both the driver and the passenger were transported to area hospital with minor injuries.

Thunderstorm Winds Blow Semi Across I-70 In Clark County

SP TRAFFIC CRASH ALERT

The Following Preliminary Information is being released by Illinois State Police District 12

WHAT:                        Personal Injury Traffic Crash                                

WHERE:                     Interstate 70 Westbound at Milepost 122 , Clark County        

WHEN:                   Apr. 8, 2020 at 7:15 p.m.                      

VEHICLES:           Unit 1 2019 White International Box Truck       

DRIVER(S):           Unit 1- Larry B. Brumley, 48 year-old male of Georgetown, KY                                                      

PASSENGER(S:    None                  

PRELIMINARY:  A preliminary investigation indicates the following occurred:  Unit 1 was traveling Westbound on Interstate 70 near Milepost 122.  A thunderstorm in the area was creating strong wind gusts.  Wind gusts pushed Unit #1 South across the roadway.  Unit 1 overturned and came to rest in the median.  Unit 1 was transported to a local hospital with minor injuries.

CHARGES:  None            

High Winds Cause Crash On I-70 Near Effingham

ISP TRAFFIC CRASH ALERT

The Following Preliminary Information is Being Released by Illinois State Police

District 12

WHAT:                      Single Vehicle Injury Traffic Crash

WHERE:                   Interstate 70 Westbound milepost 100, Effingham County

WHEN:                      April 8, 2020 at 7:02 p.m.

VEHICLE:                Unit 1- 2017 White International Truck Tractor Semi-Trailer combination

DRIVER:                   Unit 1- Marco Flored-Fraga, 51 year old male from Apodaca, MX - transported to an area hospital with non-life threatening injuries

PRELIMINARY:     A preliminary investigation indicates the following occurred:  Unit 1 was traveling westbound on Interstate 70 near milepost 100 in the right lane.  Due to severe weather and strong winds, Unit 1 was forced onto its side and into the center median. Unit 1 driver was transported to an area hospital with minor injuries.