COVID-19 updates: Unvaccinated person dies. Mom plans protest to restore remote learning
Steven Spearie
The Sangamon County Department of Public Health reported on Thursday the 15th COVID-19 fatality for the month of September.
A woman in her 40s died at Memorial Medical Center on Wednesday. The woman was not vaccinated against the virus, said Sangamon County spokesman Jeff Wilhite.
See also: Family of fully vaccinated COVID-19 victim sends a message to doubters in her obituary
The woman tested positive for the virus on Aug. 20 and was admitted to the hospital two days later. The county’s COVID-19 death toll is at 263.
The 15 COVID-19 deaths were the most for a single month since January when 43 deaths were reported.
The county's new case total for the day hit 102.
According to the Illinois Department of Public Health, Sangamon County's vaccination rate stands at 54.32%.
Menard County reported 10 new cases on Thursday.
Protest at school district headquarters
A mother of seven children in District 186 schools is helping lead a protest in support of a remote learning option Friday.
The gathering will happen in front of School District headquarters, 1900 W. Monroe St., at noon.
Alissa Smith of Springfield said her children, who attend three different schools in the district, were remote learners last year in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Smith said it isn't fair they aren't being given the same option this year.
"I'm doing what I can (to make this a reality)," said Smith, whose Facebook page Remote Learning Support: Central IL has almost 800 followers.
An alternative is to homeschool her children, she added.
"It's the only way at the end of the day I know my kids are safe," Smith said.
Smith said her children were recently quarantined because of a positive case at one of her son's schools. After the quarantine was up, Smith decided to keep them at home, and they have been doing school work via Canvas.
The Illinois State Board of Education said all schools must have in-person learning this year. There are exceptions for students in exclusion because of COVID-19.
ISBE did not provide a remote option similar to last year when students could opt for either the hybrid model or full remote learning.
Some District 186 board of education members have backed a remote learning option.
"I'm going to stand up for my kids' rights," Smith said.
UIS virtual webinar
The University of Illinois Springfield Innovation Hub, UIS Center for State Policy and Leadership and the Community Health Roundtable will host a free virtual public webinar titled “Bats, monkeys and dogs, oh my!” at noon Friday via Zoom.
Dr. Connie Austin, Illinois Department of Public Health state public health veterinarian and epidemiologist, will talk about some of the infectious diseases that may reach the public through contact with exotic pets, importation of animals and travel around the world. Dr. Austin has been instrumental in the state’s COVID-19 response and will address questions pertaining to her role and COVID-19.
In order to attend the event, register online at go.uis.edu/COVIDwebinar. A Zoom link will be emailed.
Vaccinations required
Gov. JB Pritzker’s 2022 re-election campaign announced it is requiring campaign staff to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
"We are leading by example and following the same science and medical advice from doctors, nurses and medical professionals that has guided Governor JB Pritzker in his strong leadership to protect the lives and livelihoods of Illinoisans during this deadly global pandemic," said campaign manager Mike Ollen in a statement Thursday.
Contact Steven Spearie: 217-622-1788, sspearie@sj-r.com, twitter.com/@StevenSpearie.