Illinois state parks closed indefinitely due to Coronavirus

So much for going out for a walk in the woods during the next three to eight weeks to relieve cabin fever induced by a possible eight more weeks of self-isolation or self-quarantine.

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources posted an announcement on their Facebook page that all park properties are closed to the public due over the concerns of the Coronavirus. No projected or suggested reopening date was included in the post.

That means no leisurely pursuits such as nature walks, photographing wildlife and spring flowers or enjoying the God-given beauty that the Illinois landscape has to offer.

"All scheduled events on state property are effectively cancelled; patrons are encouraged to call IDNR’s Parks administrative line Monday through Friday at 217-782-6752 with questions," says the post.

The 526 comments were critical of the move, especially when medical professionals say getting outdoors and exercise is important to maintaining a healthy immune system. Many question the logic by the IDNR.

Anthony Majszak wrote: "Close the buildings and events, fine, but why not allow people to walk in the outdoors?"

Another poster was equally flabbergasted.

"So you tell me, in plain English, what this accomplishes? I understand closing down shared facilities, Starved Rock as an example - You would close down the lodge, the hotel, the restaurant and other public access shared facilities. But you don't close down the open air," wrote Rick Munday. "This sends the complete wrong message to the general public!"

One poster offered what seems to be reasonable justification for the closures across the state. "my best guess, these places are already short of staff, present staff is canceled, and people in the general public can’t be trusted...," wrote Laura Jean Cannata.

Bars and restaurants to cease dine-in services, Champaign County has first Covid-19 patient

In the continuing battle to slow the spread of Covid-19, Governor J.B. Pritzker ordered that all bars and restaurants in the state closed to the public starting Monday through March 30. Delivery and drive-up services will not be affected in order for business to continue operations as best as they can.

The announcement from the governor came at the same time that the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District announced Champaign County's first confirmed case.

According to CUPHD Public Health Administrator Julie A. Pryde, the patient, a 50 year-old woman, received confirmation of positive test results last night.

It was revealed during the press conference streamed live on Facebook and other news outlets the Champaign County resident had come in contact with someone who was recently in Italy. She sought treatment at Carle Clinic earlier in the week after displaying the virus' signature symptoms.

The patient was not admitted to the hospital and went into self-isolation. It was made clear she was not a member of the University of Illinois community, neither student or staff.

After receiving the positive diagnosis, health officials will now trace the woman's movements and contact any individual that she may have been in contact with per the Center of Disease Control guidelines. Investigators will go back 14 days from when the symptoms appeared and look for people she would have been within six feet of for a ten minute period to notify them of possible exposure.

According the Illinois Department of Public Health website today, the infected count has risen to 93 confirmed cases in Illinois out of 1,025 tested so far. Nine hundred and thirty-two suspected cases have tested negative. Illinois has yet to record any deaths related to the viral infection.

Area medical facilities are ramping up for testing members of the community.

"We are seeing every patient that calls," said Doctor Sami Zabaneh, a specialist in Internal Medicine at Christie Clinic. "We ask patients call before we see them."

Medical professionals will screen callers for high-risk symptoms like shortness of breath, fever, coughing. They will also pay particular attention to those who are considered elderly in the 60 and over age group.

"We'll meet them in the parking lot and in the process of putting a tent there, probably coming soon," he explained. "We have special healthcare providers with protective equipment to do the testing in the parking lot outside the facility."

With the typical Influenza A and B strains still running their seasonal course and given the limited number of available kits at this time, the pre-screening process is important.

"Not every cough is the Covid-19 virus. But, we are vigilant," Zabaneh said. "We are emphasizing social isolation, it is very important because one patient can spread the disease to hundreds of people."