COVID-19

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This is a guide to the things we do know, from scientists, doctors and public health experts — a resource that changes alongside our understanding of this virus.

FAQ:  The Essential Coronavirus FAQ
MAP:  The real-time spread of coronavirus
STATE:  Tracking by State

SIU-C Students, Faculty and Staff Can Get Tested Two Days A Week at SIH Facility

By & • Sep 2, 2020
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Southern Illinois Healthcare is offering COVID-19 testing for SIU-Carbondale students, faculty and staff.

Indiana Launching New Guidelines for Schools During Pandemic

By • Sep 2, 2020
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A new county-by-county rating of COVID-19 risk that Indiana health officials say is aimed at helping school districts decide whether to keep students in classrooms is being met with reticence from some school leaders.

Missouri Pays Pandemic Consultant More Than $500,000

By • Sep 2, 2020
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Missouri has paid a consulting firm 522-thousand dollars in federal funds designed for COVID-19 pandemic-related expenses.

Governor Pritzker Urges COVID-19 Safety This Labor Day Weekend.

By Kevin Boucher & Jordan Smearman • Sep 2, 2020
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Governor J.B. Pritzker is warning Illinoisans about the risk of contracting COVID-19 over the upcoming holiday weekend.  In a press conference held earlier today (Wednesday), the Governor was joined by medical professionals, including U of I Health Infectious Disease Physician Doctor Susan Bleasdale.

Treating COVID-19 With Plasma Therapy

By Steph Whiteside • Sep 2, 2020
Medicine

The FDA has recently issued an emergency use authorization for convalescent plasma as a treatment for COVID-19. Southern Illinois Healthcare has been participating in an extended access program, treating southern Illinoians with plasma.

09-2-20: Governor Pritzker Daily Press Briefing (COVID-19)

By Katrina Stackhouse • Sep 2, 2020
Microphone
Kane Reinholdtsen / Unsplash.com

Governor JB Pritzker holds a press briefing on the state’s current response and action plan for managing COVID-19 (Coronavirus) in Illinois. Begins at noon.

Perry County Missouri Schools to Go Remote Only

By • Sep 1, 2020
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Perry County Dist. 32

A southeast Missouri school district is switching to remote-only learning for the time being to slow the spread of COVID-19 in the community.

The Perry County School District in Perryville will close its campus at the end of the school day this Friday.

North Clay County School District Says Bus Riders May Have COVID-19 Exposure

By • Sep 1, 2020
Clay County Public Health Department

Clay County health officials are putting out a COVID-19 alert for parents and students in the North Clay County School District.

ProPublica: Prosecutors Drop COVID-19 Case in Richland County

By Tony Briscoe & ProPublica • Sep 1, 2020
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ProPublica Illinois is an independent, nonprofit newsroom that produces investigative journalism with moral force. Sign up for The ProPublica Illinois newsletter for weekly updates.

Prosecutors have dismissed a criminal charge against a southern Illinois man whom they accused of endangering public safety when he entered a busy gas station store after he was ordered to self-isolate because of coronavirus-like symptoms.

What Contributes To COVID-19 Misinformation?

By • Sep 1, 2020

Misinformation about COVID-19 has spread almost as much as the disease itself – and sometimes, faster. Why is this the case? 

When it emerged earlier this year, the world had limited knowledge of the coronavirus and its full effects. Doctors and researchers worked to better understand the disease, but countless rumors also circulated. Peter Adams with the News Literacy Project explained.

COVID Pain: Carbondale Leaders Update Budget Hurdles

By • Sep 1, 2020
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Carbondale / Carbondale

WSIU's Jennifer Fuller talks with Carbondale Mayor Mike Henry and City Manager Gary Williams about how COVID-19 is affecting the city's financial status.

Herrin Schools Call for Help to Slow the Spread of COVID-19

By • Aug 31, 2020
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The Herrin School District is warning if COVID-19 cannot be contained in its schools, the district will be forced to pivot quickly to remote only learning.

Over the weekend, district officials posted on Facebook they want to keep their schools open to in-person learning, but they need the public's help.

Carbondale Schools Cope with COVID Changes

By Benjy Jeffords • Aug 31, 2020

In July, the Carbondale Elementary School District decided to start the fall semester in full remote learning.

As WSIU's Benjy Jeffords reports, it meant the school district needed to buy every student a Chromebook.

SIH Closes Harrisburg Primary Care/Rehab Due to COVID-19

By • Aug 30, 2020
Health

COVID-19 exposures have forced the closure of two SIH facilities in Saline County on Monday (August 31).

Cape County and Indiana Extend Face Covering Mandates

By & • Aug 26, 2020
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The Cape Girardeau County Public Health Board is extending its Face-Covering Order until September 22 for businesses and residents of the County.

SIU-C Updates Its COVID-19 Case Tracking Website

By • Aug 26, 2020
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SIU-Carbondale has updated its COVID-19 active case count.

The university's web page dedicated to tracking active cases now shows six total cases. They include three on-campus students, two off-campus students and one faculty/staff member.

COVID-19 spreading rapidly inside Menard Correctional Center

By • Aug 26, 2020

The Southern's Molly Parker takes a closer look at a spike in COVID-19 cases at Menard Correctional Center in Randolph County.

How Will School Social Workers Face A Mental Health Crisis, Often Over Zoom?

By Peter Medlin • Aug 26, 2020

Whether it’s the global pandemic or social unrest, nearly everyone has experienced some trauma in 2020.

It’s hard to grasp the long-term mental health implications of COVID-19. But many Americans have already seen their mental health suffer during the pandemic.

Expanded Mask Rules At Bars And Restaurants, New Limits In Two Suburban Chicago Counties

By • Aug 25, 2020

Beginning Wednesday, restaurant and bar patrons must wear a mask when interacting with servers and bartenders in an effort to stem the recent spread of COVID-19.

As Fall 2020 Semester Opens, SIU Makes Plans, Changes

By • Aug 25, 2020
SIU System Logo

Students are back in class both on- and off-campus across the Southern Illinois University system, and administrators hope they can continue through the fall semester with little interruption.

SIU's President Looks Ahead as Fall 2020 Semester Opens

By • Aug 25, 2020
Southern Illinois University

WSIU's Jennifer Fuller talks with SIU President Dan Mahony. In this edition of InFocus, they discuss how COVID-19 has changed SIU's Fall 2020 semester, along with additional conversations addressing racism in higher education.

Seven Southern Illinois Counties On State Warning List

By • Aug 21, 2020
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Illinois Department of Public Health

Illinois placed 20 counties on warning status today, as cases and positivity rates continue to climb. In the WSIU area, seven counties are on the warning list.

SIU Carbondale Launches Online COVID Tracker

By • Aug 20, 2020
siu logo
SIU / SIU

Southern Illinois University Carbondale is updating its COVID-19 reporting, to include a website that tracks cases on- and off-campus.

U Of I’s Saliva-Based COVID-19 Test Receives FDA Emergency Authorization

By • Aug 19, 2020

CHAMPAIGN – A saliva-based COVID-19 test created by researchers at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign has received authorization from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

The FDA emergency use authorization was granted to the U of I’s test on the basis that it performs at least as well as a recently approved saliva-testing protocol developed at Yale University, setting a precedent that could allow other labs to follow suit. 

08-19-2020: Governor Pritzker Press Briefing (COVID-19)

By & JC Dart • Aug 19, 2020
Microphone
Kane Reinholdtsen / Unsplash.com

Governor JB Pritzker holds a press briefing on the state’s current response and action plan for managing COVID-19 (Coronavirus) in Illinois.

The live stream will begin at 2:00 p.m.

Saluki Athletics Reports 0.5% COVID-19 Positivity Rate, Football Plans for Unknown

By • Aug 18, 2020
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SIU Salukis

SIU softball coach and senior woman administrator Kerri Blaylock is leading the Saluki athletic department's task force for COVID-19 testing and return to practice and competition.

COVID-19 Patient Who Received Double-Lung Transplant Faces Long Road To Recovery

By • Aug 18, 2020

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, 28-year-old Mayra Ramirez was working as a paralegal for an immigration law firm in Chicago. She enjoyed walking her dogs and running 5K races. 

Ramirez has a condition requiring medication that could’ve suppressed her immune system but was otherwise healthy. When the Illinois governor issued a shelter-in-place order in March, she began working from home, hardly leaving the house. So she has no idea how she contracted COVID-19.

New COVID-19 Health Restrictions For The Metro East

By • Aug 17, 2020

The state has placed tighter rules on a portion of southwest Illinois after seeing more community spread of the coronavirus disease.  But Gov. J.B. Pritzker admits it might not be enough to slow the spread of COVID-19.  

Union Files Complaint Against WIU's Plans for In-Person Classes

By • Aug 17, 2020

Western Illinois University intends to hold in-person classes beginning August 24 in Macomb and the Quad Cities. But the union representing faculty members is fighting that plan.

In COVID Crisis, Honda Plant Puts Office Workers On Assembly Line

By Paige Pfleger • Aug 17, 2020

The nation’s automakers are scrambling to keep assembly lines staffed during the COVID crisis. At a Honda plant in Marysville, Ohio, that means calling on office workers to move to the line. And that has triggered anxiety among some workers.

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