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The St. Clair County Health Department is encouraging people to get a coronavirus test in hopes that the county’s positivity rate will decrease.
A lower positivity rate is one of the metrics needed to help the county no longer be deemed at a COVID warning level by the Illinois Department of Public Health. […]
Organizational Communications Manager Brenda Fedak told FOX 2 the county is encouraging people to go get tested.
“Unfortunately we need those negative tests to bring the positivity rate down,” Fedak said.
It didn’t really work miracles. The county’s seven-day rolling positivity rate was 7.1 percent the day that story was published a month ago. It was 6.7 percent a few days ago and it’s now 6 percent. Madison County has about the same number of people as St. Clair, and St. Clair has been testing, on average, only about 100 more people a day, but Madison’s average positivity rate is 7 percent.
* October 4th…
While the metro-east remains under coronavirus restrictions and one additional death was announced in Monroe County, St. Clair County officials on Sunday once again urged all residents to get tested for COVID-19, even if they are not showing any signs of the illness.
The message announced during a St. Clair County daily briefing on Sunday echoed one that was issued on Sept. 11 as a way to lower the region’s coronavirus test positivity rate. […]
“IDPH uses a metric of positivity percentage based on those tested, not based on the size of a community,” said Sam Bierman, the emergency response coordinator for the St. Clair County Health Department. “So when they do that, it doesn’t matter the size of the population for whatever that area or that county is, we’re looking at the actual individuals that we’ve tested so that is why we encourage everyone to go out and get tested for two reasons.
“One, we’ve been shown that, you know, someone can test positive without having a single symptom and we want to test those individuals and stop the spread but then, two, if we only tested those that were symptomatic and only tested those we thought were positive, our percentage of positivity would be off the charts.”
* I asked the governor’s office for a response. Here’s Jordan Abudayyeh…
Since the start of the pandemic, this administration has worked around the clock to build one of the most robust testing operations in the nation. The Governor has urged Illinoisans around the state to take advantage of these resources and get tested because testing is one of the most effective tools we have to curb the spread of this virus.
One of the benefits of mass testing is the ability to catch asymptomatic carriers of the virus early so they can isolate before they continue to spread it to more people.
We applaud the county touting the importance of testing, but the administration will not allow misinformation about how data is used to impact decisions concerning public health.
As the Governor has said, working together to follow the recommendations of the public health experts to bring down the positivity rate will result in lifting mitigation. St. Clair County has been working to do that and other counties in the region should follow their lead.
I dunno, maybe just do what everyone knows will work instead of trying to game the system and providing false hope?
* And maybe Madison County could get a handle on this sort of stuff?…
“Based on a complaint, a COVID-19 Compliance check on Fast Eddies Bon Air in Alton, IL was conducted,” said Sgt. Delila Garcia, a deputy chief with the Public Information Office. “ISP officers issued a Notice of Non-Compliance to the manager on duty and advised them of a time frame to get into compliance.”
“After approximately, one hour, ISP officers returned and issued a dispersal order to the same on-duty manager,” Garcia said. “After approximately another 30 minutes, ISP officers returned and issued a Madison County Non-Traffic complaint to the business for the observed violations. The manager signed and accepted the written complaint on behalf of Fast Eddies Bon Air.”
ISP said it’s up to the state’s attorneys to proceed with such cases. The Madison County State’s Attorney’s Office couldn’t be reached for comment. A manager at Fast Eddies wasn’t immediately available.
* Related…
* Heat and relative humidity affect how coronavirus spreads, new study finds
* CDC says coronavirus can spread indoors in updated guidance
* Experts say Covid-19 cases are likely about to surge - America keeps making the same mistakes over and over. So another surge of coronavirus cases seems likely
* Nearly One-Third of Covid Patients in Study Had Altered Mental State
* CPS teacher who died of COVID-19 cleaned houses before earning her college degree and had ‘an incredible instinct for working with children’
* St. Viator halts in-person classes, athletics after ‘higher than acceptable’ COVID-19 rate
posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Oct 6, 20 @ 4:03 am
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Springfield School District 186 voted 4-3 to change the metrics midstream in order to get closer to the return of in-person learning.
“At its meeting, the board took the step of increasing the new case count from less than or equal to 50 out of 100,000 to less than or equal to 100 out of 100,000.”
https://www.sj-r.com/news/20201005/district-186-eases-up-on-rsquooutlierrsquo-metric-eyes-possible-return-to-classrooms
Comment by Chatham Resident Tuesday, Oct 6, 20 @ 5:31 am
Fast Eddie’s has a lot of clout.
Throw the book at them, Gibbons.
Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Tuesday, Oct 6, 20 @ 6:53 am
===ISP said it’s up to the state’s attorneys to proceed with such cases.===
I wonder how the people in these counties react when Kim Foxx decides not to prosecute a case?
Comment by TheInvisibleMan Tuesday, Oct 6, 20 @ 8:13 am
Not surprising that St. Clair counties efforts to game the system didn’t work. If you can’t get people to wear masks because of “liberty” what’s the likelihood that they’ll be willing to have a swab put up their nose. The same mindset that keeps someone from wearing a mask also allows them to believe that there’s no reason to be tested. The health department’s time would be better served focusing on the basics. Mask up, keep your distance, and publicize those events that have led to community spread.
Comment by Pundent Tuesday, Oct 6, 20 @ 8:24 am
TheInvisibleMan
If you think people in Madison and St Clair County know or care about Kim Foxx you are sadly mistaken. With that being said I’d love for you to point out on a map of Illinois of where “these counties” are located. And just a hint Metro East is misleading. They are more interested in Saint Louis than anything up by Lake Michigan.
Issue with Fast Eddie’s is they basically need to have employees sole responsibility to enforce wearing masks when customers leave their seats. It’s a shame these people are not following the rules because it’s hurting businesses.
*I’m guessing this is the issue, I hope all their employees are wearing masks and other safety protocols*
Comment by Almost the weekend Tuesday, Oct 6, 20 @ 8:45 am
**Kim Foxx decides not to prosecute a case**
I think there’s a clear distinction between violent crime and dinner with friends.
Comment by Brewmaster Tuesday, Oct 6, 20 @ 8:47 am
=== I think there’s a clear distinction…===
Not to the dead. They’re dead.
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Oct 6, 20 @ 8:50 am
I actually like the fact that they are encouraging people not exhibiting symptoms to be tested, regardless of their symptoms. Especially if the people who find out their positive will followup with the appropriate course of action.
Comment by cermak_rd Tuesday, Oct 6, 20 @ 9:00 am
grr I meant regardless of their motives. Sometimes impure motives lead to good outcomes.
Comment by cermak_rd Tuesday, Oct 6, 20 @ 9:02 am
*** Violent crime ***
Jesse Smollett was accused of filing a false police report.
To the Post:
The fact positivity rate can theoretically be manipulated and has been (see Champaign County) is another reason it shouldn’t be used as a bench mark.
R-naught needs to be below 1. It’s that simple.
Comment by Thomas Paine Tuesday, Oct 6, 20 @ 9:13 am
I really miss Hannah Meisel’s Covid charts on twitter. She did an amazing job making the daily totals intelligible.
Comment by Bruce( no not him) Tuesday, Oct 6, 20 @ 9:36 am
Not surprised about Fast Eddie’s. We were in the area a week or so ago and drove by; looked as crowded as a normal day a year ago.
Comment by RNUG Tuesday, Oct 6, 20 @ 9:38 am
I thought more tests meant more cases. /snark/
Comment by JoanP Tuesday, Oct 6, 20 @ 10:11 am
It’s really sad that County Officials have to come up with a way to game the system in order for them to meet the guidelines. Why can’t they just say to the residents and business owners this is what must be done in order for us to get back in compliance. So get it done or people like your family or friends might die. But no we have the likes of Tom DeVore running around the State giving Tom Talks to Counties about how to game the system and they are falling for it hook line and sinker. What is it a Sheriff in Region 1 refuses now to enforce the guidelines and says he’s friends with the State Police in that Region so they aren’t enforcing them either. So does that make crime open game there?
So I wonder how the 9000 plus families that have lost loved ones feel about gaming the system? In Springfield it’s no different people are packing them in at Bars and Restaurants because there’s no enforcement of the guidelines. Nothing will happen to Fast Eddies. It’s an election year and Tom is running again this year. When the snow starts falling and the State gets the “Shelter in Place Warning” these businesses and Officials are who we can blame. I’ll have my basement bar well stocked.
Comment by Club J Tuesday, Oct 6, 20 @ 10:54 am
I’m failing to see the downside. Whatever their motivations may be, they are encouraging people to get tested.
Comment by Strannik Tuesday, Oct 6, 20 @ 11:36 am
The Madison County States Attorneys office has made it clear that they will not enforce the governor’s orders unless the County Board requests it. And this county board isn’t going to request it.
Comment by Dave W Tuesday, Oct 6, 20 @ 12:19 pm
=It’s over rated.=
Said none of the 209,000 people that are dead as a result of COVID-19.
Maybe you would care to go visit their families and share your wisdom?
Comment by JS Mill Tuesday, Oct 6, 20 @ 1:09 pm
Covid 19 overrated because some survive? Give me a break.
I know people who have been shot and survived. Never heard them say it wasn’t dangerous.
Comment by Last Bull Moose Tuesday, Oct 6, 20 @ 1:49 pm