NSC: COVID-19 To Be 2020 3rd Leading Cause Of Death In US

The Itasca, Illinois-based National Safety Council is predicting that COVID-19 likely will be the third leading cause of death in 2020, with the majority of those deaths occurring in long-term care facilities.

The death toll nationwide from the pandemic exceeds 170,000, eclipsing the total number of preventable accidental deaths in 2018, the most recent year of final data. Only heart disease and cancer account for more deaths. It would mark the first time since 2016 that preventable deaths – which include drug overdoses, motor vehicle crashes, and falls – would not be the third leading cause of death in the country.

In addition, the NSC said COVID-19 is having an impact on preventable deaths with increases in opioid overdoses and motor vehicle fatality rates as an indirect consequence of the pandemic.

Ken Kolash, statistics manager with the NSC, said deaths from opioid overdoses have climbed far slower than COVID-19 deaths.

“It has taken 19 years to go from around 11,000 to around 59,000 [opioid] deaths,” Kolash said. “In a span of about 6 months, we have gone from zero to 171,000 COVID deaths.”

According to a Franklin Templeton-Gallup research project, 92 percent of COVID-19 deaths nationwide are people who hare 55 or older. Illinois has seen 7,833 deaths related to COVID-19, with over 6,700 involving people aged 60 or older.  Fifty-five percent of the deaths statewide have occurred in long-term care facilities.

Dr. Ngozi Ezike from the Illinois Department of Public Health said Illinoisans may be turning a deaf ear to the rising COVID-19 statistics.

“I am concerned that we have grown numb to these numbers and we need to remember that they are not just numbers, these are people,” said Ezike.

NSC urges people to stay vigilant and follow public health guidance. The agency has made available materials for employers and schools that are reopening traditional environments through its SAFER initiative. The materials are available at www.nsc.org/safer.

Wabash County CUSD #348WiFi Community Outreach Program

Wabash County CUSD #348 has developed the following program to assist the community and our students that are struggling with WiFi connectivity. This program utilizes the capabilities of the District by establishing WiFi Cafes, computer lab accessibility, transportation opportunities, onsite WiFi at the school buildings, and offsite WiFi hotspots distributed throughout the county. This program will begin August 24th, 2020.

WiFi Cafes: 

The WiFi Cafes will be established in the Mt. Carmel Grade and High Schools. These ‘cafes’ will have accommodations for up to forty students at a time. Students may select from a morning option (9 am - 11am) or the afternoon option (12 pm - 2 pm). The Cafes are opportunities for students in the grade 3-12. Students that attend the Cafes will have to bring their own school issued or personal computing devices and any other school work materials. While at the Cafes, the students will be required to follow all student handbook requirements and any other additional building requirements. Students will enter the Jr/Sr. High School at the main entrance, and students will enter the Grade School at the gym entrance. Additionally, students will be required to have a temperature check, wear a face covering, and practice social distancing. The Cafes will also provide snacks and water along with lunch.  

For WiFi Cafes located at Mount Carmel Jr./Sr.High School and Mount Carmel Grade School please contact Aaron Croft by email : acroft@wabash348.com or Phone: (618)-262-5104.

Transportation:

For those students that need transportation to the Cafes, the District will offer bus transportation to and from the Cafes. Buses will be available for both AM and PM sections. If you need bus transportation, you will need to call 618-262-8539 between the hours of 9 am - 2 pm Monday through Friday to make arrangements.  

WiFi Onsite: WiFi has been made available to students at all three school locations in the district.

  • MCES - Main Parking Lot

  • MCGS - School Bus Parking Lot

  • MCJHS/MCHS - Back Parking Lot by Main Gym

Offsite Hotspots:

Offsite WiFi for students will be available starting Monday, August 24, 2020 at select locations throughout Wabash County by utilizing a mobile hotspot called Kajeet. Kajeet is not as powerful as school WiFi, but will still allow functionality for our students. The Kajeet will only be available during school hours for school purposes.  

WiFI Hotspots can be identified by looking for the  logo at each of the following locations throughout Wabash County.

  • Gospel Kingdom Church - Mt. Carmel (South West)

  • Roads Church - Mt. Carmel (South)

  • Evangelical United Methodist - Mt. Carmel (Northeast)

  • Lancaster Christian Church - Lancaster

  • Faith Assembly - Patton

  • Belmont United Methodist - Belmont

  • Lick Prairie Christian Church - Belmont (North)

  • Keensburg Christian Church - Keensburg

The WiFi password for these devices is currently set as “smartbus”, but may periodically change and can be obtained by contacting the school or by emailing ksmith@wabash348.com, akiser@wabash348.com, or sholt@wabash348.com. 

Mt. Carmel Elementary School Computer Labs

- For MCES students only:

The MCES computer labs will be open at Mt. Carmel Elementary School. The computer labs will be open from 9 am - 11 am and 12 pm - 2:00 pm. The parents will need to call the school (618-263-3876) and reserve a time slot for their children to work. Please remember to bring your child’s codes and any items necessary to complete their work. The student must be accompanied by an adult and no younger children will be allowed. Please remember that temperatures will be taken at the door and everyone is required to wear a mask and social distance. All school rules will apply.  

WCHD Working To Mitigate Spike In COVID-19 Cases

The Wabash County Board of Health met on Monday to discuss ways to stem the rise in COVID-19 cases locally. On July 31st, Wabash County had 30 cases, but since that time the positives cases have jumped 55 and currently stand at 85. Health department administrator Judy Wissel told the county board Monday that avenues are being explored to mitigate the rise in cases… 

Wissel said initial ideas centered on producing a video and using social media to spread their message. 

In the weekly report released yesterday, the health department said there are currently 47 positive cases in isolation and 170 current contacts of positive cases are in quarantine. Two residents are now being treated in a regional hospital. Four new positive cases were reported yesterday.

U OF I COVID-19 TEST APPROVED BY FDA

A breakthrough in COVID-19 testing in Illinois could help slow the spread of the virus.

Officials from the University of Illinois said Wednesday the Food and Drug Administration approved the school's saliva-based test.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker said the innovative test puts Illinois on the cutting edge of testing. The governor said the test is inexpensive (about $10), faster, and requires less raw materials than other testing methods.

The university developed SHIELD, a three-pronged “target, test, tell” system that incorporates testing with data reporting, modeling and a smartphone app. Results are available on the app in 3 to 6 hours. 

University of Illinois President Timothy Killeen said that is key to reducing the spread of the virus.

“Allowing isolation early enough to limit the spread of the infection, and it also identifies and isolates people with asymptomatic cases who otherwise spread the virus unknowingly,” he said.

Dr. Martin Burke, a chemistry professor who helped design the test, said the university performed more than 50,000 tests on faculty, staff and students in July.

“Over the course of July, we saw a positivity rate of 1.5 percent progressively drop down to below 0.2 percent as we continue to execute this fast and frequent testing on our campus,” Burke said.

Burke said the university expects to test up to 20,000 people a day when the fall semester begins on Aug. 24.

University officials said the test could soon be used in other universities, schools and possibly nationwide.

COVID-19 cases have been increasing statewide. On Wednesday, Pritzker warned that further mitigation efforts – such as closing bars and restaurants – could be needed. The Metro East area is operating under stricter guidelines after surpassing an 8% testing positivity rate for 3 days in a row, and the region now stands at a 9.4% positivity rate.

On Wednesday, the Illinois Department of Public Health announced 2,295 new confirmed cases of the coronavirus in Illinois, including 25 additional deaths. The new case numbers are the highest single-day total the state has seen since May in part because of the number of people tested. 

Statewide, public health officials have reported a total of 211,889 cases, including 7,806 deaths, in Illinois. In the past 24 hours, laboratories have reported 50,299 specimens for a total of 3,489,571 tests statewide since the start of the pandemic.

The preliminary seven-day statewide positivity rate for cases as a percent of the total tests from Aug. 12 to Aug. 18 was 4.4%.

CONCEALED CARRY COURSE TO BE OFFERED AT WVC STARTING TONIGHT

Mt. Carmel, IL – If you are interested in obtaining your Illinois Concealed Carry License, why not enroll in the next Concealed Carry course being offered by Illinois Eastern Community Colleges which will be offered at Wabash Valley College at the Advanced Technology Center on Thursday and Friday nights, August 20 and 21, from 6:00 – 10:00 p.m., and on Saturday, August 22, from 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. D Ray Etzkorn is the instructor for this class.

Not only will attendees learn the minimum information required by the Concealed Carry Act, but through the use of lecture and range drills, attendees will learn how to safely handle a handgun and hone their skills, as a marksman, and survive a real-world encounter. Whether you are new to handguns or experienced, this course is designed to make everyone a more knowledgeable and accomplished shooter. Through the teaching of current trends and techniques, students will learn and understand how to maintain the proper mindset, skills, and abilities that come with “bearing arms” for the purpose of self-defense.

Pre-registration is required. The cost of the 16-hour course is $184 for in-District students, which includes tuition and fees, and must be paid in advance to reserve a seat in the course. The cost for enrollees over 60 years old is $92. For more information or to get registered, contact your local Student Services Office: Wabash Valley College-Mt. Carmel, 866-982-4322. If you have questions concerning the program, contact the Concealed Carry Coordinator, D Ray Etzkorn, at etzkornd@iecc.edu, or call 618-262-6346 and leave a message.

CONCEALED CARRY RECERTIFICATION COURSE TO BE OFFERED AT WVC

Mt. Carmel, IL – If you are interested in recertifying your Illinois Concealed Carry Permit, now is your opportunity to enroll in the IECC Concealed Carry Recertification course that provides the 3 hours of required training. This course is for any Illinois Concealed Carry permit holder that needs to take the recertification training.

Seven years ago, in the fall of 2013, Illinois Eastern Community Colleges started offering the Concealed Carry Program. The first students through the program must now take this recertification course to be recertified.

Training includes: Updates to the Law; Changes to the FOID Act and Unlawful Use of Weapons; Review of Handgun Fundamentals; Dry and Live Fire Drills.

Pre-registration is required. MUST have your Illinois Concealed Carry Permit to take the Recertification Class. The class will be offered from 8:00 – 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 12 at the Advanced Technology Building on West Third Street. D Ray Etzkorn is the instructor. To get registered, contact the Student Services Office: Wabash Valley College-Mt. Carmel, 866-982-4322. If you have questions concerning the program, contact the Concealed Carry Coordinator, D Ray Etzkorn, at etzkornd@iecc.edu, or call 618-262-6346, and leave a message.

Disturbance call leads to arrest of Princeton man

On August 19, 2020, at 1:49 p.m. Gibson County Central Dispatch received a of a disturbance in the 300 block of South First Street in Owensville, Indiana. Deputies with the Gibson County Sheriff's Office were dispatched to the scene and upon arriving Deputy U.B. Smith began an investigation. During the investigation 47-year-old Vernon Eugene Long of Princeton was taken into custody after failing to respond to officers lawful commands. Once Deputy Smith finished his investigation Mr. Long was transported to the Gibson County Jail where he was charged with Criminal Mischief, Possession of Paraphernalia, and Resisting Law Enforcement. He remains in custody on a $650 bond.

Assisting Deputy Smith in his investigation was Deputy Jennifer Loesch and Sergeant Bruce Vanoven.

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

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Princeton woman arrested on drug and paraphernalia charges

On August 19, 2020, at 11:22 a.m., Gibson County Deputy Jennifer Loesch conducted a traffic stop on a Gold 1996 Chrysler Town and Country mini van for having expired tags. Upon approaching the vehicle near the corner of Clark and Main Street in Princeton Deputy Loesch began a roadside investigation. During the investigation Synthetic Marijuana and Drug Paraphernalia were found in the vehicle and 45-year-old Loretta Simpson of Princeton was taken into custody. At the conclusion of her investigation Deputy Loesch transported Ms. Simpson to the Gibson County Jail where she was charged with Possession of a Synthetic Drug and Possession of Paraphernalia. She remains in custody on a $650 bond.

Assisting Deputy Loesch in her investigation was Deputy U.B. Smith and Sergeant Bruce Vanoven.

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