Latest Coronavirus Updates: 71 Confirmed Cases In Frankfort Area

FRANKFORT, IL — The new coronavirus outbreak in Illinois and across the country is having vast impacts in Frankfort, including the closure of several local businesses, the library, park district and schools.

As of Friday, the number of cases in Illinois is 39,658 and 1,795 people have died from the coronavirus. A total of 189,632 tests have been performed in Illinois. According to the Will County Department of Health, there are 2,009 confirmed cases in the county, and 125 county residents have died.

As of April 24, the Illinois Department of Public Health is also reporting there have been 379 tests performed with a total of 71 confirmed cases of the coronavirus in ZIP code 60423. In nearby Lincoln-Way ZIP codes confirmed case numbers include: 53 cases in 60448 (Mokena), 51 cases in 60451 (New Lenox) and 19 cases in 60442 (Manhattan).

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Gov. J.B. Pritzker has also extended the stay-at-home order until May 30. Essential businesses will operate as they have been, but there are some changes with the order as of May 1, including: some state parks will reopen; greenhouses, plant nurseries and garden center can reopen as essential businesses; pet grooming services can reopen; and nonessential retail businesses can reopen to fulfill telephone or online orders via delivery or curbside pick-up.

Beginning on May 1, people will also be required to wear a face covering or a mask when in a public place where they can't maintain a 6-foot social distance. Face coverings will be required in public indoor spaces, such as stores. This new requirement applies to all people over the age of 2 who are able to medically tolerate a face covering or a mask.

Here are the latest local updates from Frankfort:

Homewood Disposal Services, which provides refuse services for Frankfort, is asking that households infected with the coronavirus bag all recyclable material and place it in the trash/refuse cart. MORE.

The NAWS Humane Society of Illinois in Mokena is in danger of closing permanently. The society is asking for donations from the community, and there are still several animals available for adoption. MORE.

In a video interview with Frankfort Mayor James Holland and Frankfort Police Chief John Burica, some information is given on changes to police operations in Frankfort. MORE.

>>>See statewide updates and news here

SCHOOLS

Schools across Illinois, and in Frankfort, will be closed for the remainder of the 2019-20 school year. MORE.

Summit Hill District 161 has postponed eighth grade graduation and canceled all May extracurricular and co-curricular activities, including the eighth grade banquet and eighth grade trip to Great America. MORE.

Frankfort Patch wants to provide a way to share the achievements of our high school graduates, even if it's in a small way. We're asking parents and families to fill out a short form for their graduate, and Patch will compile the information and share it on an ongoing basis throughout the month of May. MORE.

BUSINESSES

Frankfort Patch has created a local business directory by gathering information from local businesses. MORE.

Several local chambers of commerce have partnered in an effort to "bring on the blue" and show support for healthcare workers and first responders who are working to keep our communities safe during the coronavirus pandemic. MORE.

Image360 Mokena usually makes signs, graphics or other marketing materials to help businesses market their brand. However, due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Image360 Mokena has shifted its focus to helping other local businesses during these difficult times. MORE.

HOSPITALS

The amount of coronavirus inpatients at Silver Cross Hospital has decreased overall by two over the past week. As of April 22, the hospital said it has 48 coronavirus positive inpatients and 19 persons under investigation, for a total of 67. MORE.

Silver Cross Hospital President and Chief Executive Officer Ruth Colby has added a new video to the hospital's coronavirus informational series: Nursing and COVID-19. The hospital said the video series has earned more than 44,000 views in total on the hospital's Facebook page. MORE.

Two meal trains have been created for the Silver Cross Hospital ICU and Emergency Room staff. MORE.

CANCELLATIONS/CLOSURES

The Diocese of Joliet has suspended all normal religious services until further notice. The Islamic Foundation of the Southwest Suburbs has also suspended its Friday services. MORE.

The Frankfort Park District has announced that all its parks are now closed. Previously, playgrounds and the Bark Park were closed, but the park district has extended the closure to include paths/trails, basketball courts, tennis courts, athletic fields, open green space and hard play surfaces.

The Frankfort Public Library is closed until further notice. You should not return any checked out materials; all due dates have been extended through June 3.

The village has canceled several events, including the spring season of the Frankfort Country Market through May 31.

The Frankfort Bluegrass Fest Committee announced it has canceled the annual Frankfort Bluegrass Festival scheduled for July 11 and 12 due to the coronavirus outbreak. MORE.