Latest Coronavirus Updates: 26 Confirmed Cases In New Lenox Area

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

As of Tuesday, the number of cases in Illinois is 15,078 and 462 people have died from the coronavirus. According to the Will County Department of Health, there are 914 confirmed cases in the county, and 35 county residents have died.

As of April 8, the Illinois Department of Public Health is reporting there are 26 confirmed cases of coronavirus in zip code 60451.

In an April 5 video update, Mayor Tim Baldermann said he is still receiving calls about children playing on playgrounds at parks or schools.

"By order of the governor, those playgrounds have been shut down," Baldermann said. "It's trespassing to be on any of that park equipment."

He reminded residents that the parks are open for walking and getting exercise.

"Because people are violating that order, I now have to use valuable resources through our police department and our emergency services to patrol those parks even more frequently," Baldermann said. "That's not something we should be wasting our time on. You should be making sure that you're taking care of that yourselves and telling your children they're not allowed to go there and use [the equipment]."

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Governor JB Pritzker has also extended the original stay-at-home order until April 30. With this order, only essential businesses like grocery stores, pharmacies, gas stations and restaurants offering carry-out services can remain open.

Here are the latest local updates from New Lenox:

>>>See statewide updates and news here

SCHOOLS

Schools across Illinois, and in New Lenox, will now be closed until April 30, per Pritzker's stay-at-home order extension. MORE.

BUSINESSES

New Lenox Patch is gathering information from local businesses to create a business directory for residents to access during this time. MORE.

During these difficult times, two New Lenox women have teamed up to help spread kindness and celebrate some birthdays in town. Many families have canceled birthday parties and celebrations due to the new coronavirus, but Marie Jarrell, founder of the Sunbow Foundation, and Stephanie Marquardt, owner of LGM Balloon Decor, still wanted to make birthdays special for kids who are turning a year older amid the pandemic. MORE.

HOSPITALS

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

Silver Cross Hospital has now implemented universal masking, which requires all employees and medical staff members to wear a cloth or procedural mask at all times at all Silver Cross locations. MORE.

Silver Cross Hospital has released a new video with President and Chief Executive Officer Ruth Colby and obstetrician/gynecologist Dr. Gamilah Pierre of Partners in Obstetrics & Women's Health to discuss pregnancy and giving birth during the coronavirus pandemic. MORE.

CANCELLATIONS/CLOSURES
The Diocese of Joliet has suspended all normal religious services, which includes celebrations for Easter Week. The services are canceled until further notice. The Islamic Foundation of the Southwest Suburbs has also suspended its Friday services. MORE.

The New Lenox Library is closed until further notice. Patrons should keep their checked-out materials at home until the library reopens.

All New Lenox Community Park District programs have been canceled and all facilities are closed until April 30. Playgrounds and park equipment are also closed.

The 42nd annual New Lenox Loyalty Day parade scheduled for May 4 has been canceled.

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