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Coronavirus latest: Virus deaths slow in places, British PM's condition worsens

Here is a look at the latest COVID-19 headlines from around St. Louis and the world for Wednesday, April 6

ST. LOUIS — We are continuing to track the latest headlines and updates regarding the global COVID-19 pandemic.

WHAT TO KNOW RIGHT NOW

  • According to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, the state has 2,722 cases and 39 deaths. The number of deaths does not include a death in St. Louis County, two deaths in both St. Charles and Jefferson counties and four deaths in St. Louis, which means there have been 48 deaths in the state.
  • On April 3, Gov. Mike Parson issued a statewide stay-at-home order, making Missouri one of the last states to do so. The order begins at 12:01 a.m. on Monday, April 6. It’ll remain in place through Friday, April 24.
  • On April 5, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker announced the state had nearly 900 new cases and 31 additional deaths. This brings the total to 11,256 cases and 274 deaths.
  • Patients have ranged in age from younger than 1 to 99 years old, the Illinois Department of Public Health said.
  • On March 31, Gov. Pritzker extended the stay-at-home order for Illinois through the end of April. He also announced that students will stay home from school through the end of April.
  • On April 2,  the state launched a new statewide initiative called “All in Illinois” to reinforce the state’s message during the coronavirus pandemic: stay home and stay safe.

April 6 top headlines

List: Where you can get tested | Map: Local COVID-19 cases | Coronavirus symptoms | FAQ 

Latest local, national and world updates

Here are the latest updates from around the St. Louis area and the world

APRIL 6 2:43 p.m. 

The steep rise in coronavirus deaths appears to be leveling off in New York, echoing a trend underway in Italy and Spain, while the crisis is going in in the opposite direction in Britain, where Prime Minister Boris Johnson has been moved to intensive care after his condition deteriorated. Johnson's office says the 55-year-old prime minister is conscious and does not need to be put on a ventilator for now. He is the world’s first known head of government to fall ill with the virus. 

APRIL 6 12:55 p.m. 

CenterPointe Hospital confirmed more than 15 staff members and three patients have tested positive for COVID-19 and the hospital has decided to temporarily discontinue admissions, according to a press release from the hospital. The hospital said it is unsure of the "original source," and has been in contact with the St. Charles County Health Departement, so it can notify anyone who may have been exposed. The hospital said it tried to control the spread of the coronavirus by offering masks to staff, eliminating visitation, taking the temperatures off all staff and vendors, educating patients and other measures.

APRIL 6 12:43 p.m. 

The St. Louis County Department of Public Health said it is in immediate need of cloth masks amid the COVID-19 pandemic. According to a press release, the department evaluated its inventory and there is concern that the supply of masks will not be enough to satisfy the demand required for the duration of the pandemic. The cloth masks will be worn by those serving in support and in-direct roles, thereby preserving much needed N95 masks for the health care workers and first responders who must work in direct contact with those confirmed to have the coronavirus. If you or your organization can provide cloth masks send an email to EOCdonations@stlouisco.com.

APRIL 6 12:10 p.m. 

The United States is bracing for a painful week, with a wave of coronavirus deaths expected across the nation.

“This is going to be our Pearl Harbor moment, our 9/11 moment,” U.S. Surgeon General Jerome Adams said.

New York City, the U.S. epicenter, New Orleans and Detroit face especially worrying days ahead. Yet President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence are striking optimistic tones, insisting that hard weeks ahead will ultimately lead to the nation beginning to turn a corner.


APRIL 6 12:08 p.m. 

The City of St. Louis announced it will be adding additional rooms and beds for homeless people during the coronavirus pandemic.

Beginning Monday, April 6, the city is partnering with City Hope St. Louis to manage a 24-hour shelter on the former property of Little Sisters of the Poor on 3225 N. Florissant Rd. 

APRIL 6 11:25 a.m. 

Just when many feel they need a hug the most, the pandemic is making it unthinkable. People around the world are feeling the impacts of social distancing. Some have been sustained by a video call, a palm pressed to a window or a blown kiss. But it’s not the same. Terrorist attacks, natural disasters and mass shootings have been followed by survivors clutched in the arms of loved ones, people collectively gathering to mourn, hands of neighbors grasped in prayer. But the coronavirus has rewritten the script of tragedy. Final goodbyes may come by phone or not at all, and people already living isolated lives are more cut off than ever.

APRIL 6 10:46 a.m. 

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act ( CARES Act) was enacted on March 27 in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

Within this Act, Section 2104 provides guidance to states regarding eligibility for certain individuals to receive additional unemployment compensation under Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC).

The U.S. Department of Labor announced the publication of Unemployment Insurance Guidance Letter 15-20 (UIPL) which includes the guidelines to states for administering an additional $600 weekly payment to eligible individuals who are receiving other benefits.

This program allows an additional $600 per week to individuals who are collecting regular unemployment compensation including compensation from the following:

  • Unemployment Compensation for Federal Employees (UCFE);
  • Unemployment Compensation for Ex-Servicemembers (UCX);
  • Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) ;
  • Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA); 
  • Extended Benefits (EB); Short­Time Compensation (STC); 
  • Trade Readjustment Allowances (TRA); 
  • Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA); 
  • Self-Employment Assistance (SEA) program.

Read More

APRIL 6 10:46 a.m. — National update from the Associated Press: A federal report finds 3 out of 4 U.S. hospitals surveyed are already treating patients with confirmed or suspected COVID-19. Monday's Health and Human Services inspector general's office report finds hospitals expect to be overwhelmed as the coronavirus cases rocket toward their anticipated peak by mid-April. Investigators say individual problems such as lagging testing, supply shortages and burned-out staff are feeding off each other, creating a vicious cycle. The federal watchdog agency is worried that could create a “domino effect” that overwhelms some hospitals, as the same thing happened in Europe. A group representing for-profit hospitals says facilities also are finding COVID-19 patients take longer to recover than patients with comparable illnesses like pneumonia and flu. Get more national/world updates here.

APRIL 6 10:33 a.m. — World news: Johns Hopkins University reports there are 1.29 million cases worldwide. More than 270,000 people have recovered. View the map/numbers.

Maps and charts

The Associated Press contributed to this report.



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