Latest Coronavirus Updates: 41 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 Friday, the number of cases in Illinois is 27,577 and 1,134 people have died from the coronavirus. According to the Will County Department of Health, there are 1,566 confirmed cases in the county, and 90 county residents have died.

As of April 17, the Illinois Department of Public Health is reporting there are 41 confirmed cases of coronavirus in zip code 60451.

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Gov. J.B. 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

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

Several libraries in the south suburbs have opened their book drops to collect donations of personal protective equipment for area hospitals and health care workers. MORE.

There have been a total of six confirmed cases of the coronavirus at the Will County Sheriff's Office, Sheriff Mike Kelley wrote in an update April 17. Several of those who did test positive have or will return to work after now testing negative. MORE.

SCHOOLS

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

Although all three Lincoln-Way high schools are closed until at least April 30, the schools have lit their Victory Lights as a sign of support and hope for first responders, essential workers, students teachers and the community during the coronavirus pandemic. MORE.

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

Local chambers, including the Lockport, Orland Park, Tinley Park, Mokena, New Lenox and Frankfort chambers of commerce, are encouraging businesses and residents to display blue ribbons physically, virtually or both. MORE.

A New Lenox pilates studio has turned to online classes to keep its customers active during these difficult times. Move Pilates Studio, 327 W. Maple St., offers online classes for mat pilates, barre and HIIT workouts now that the studio has closed due to the coronavirus. MORE.

New Lenox resident Ron Dyrcz usually spends his time running his wood and metal furniture business, but he recently turned his resources to making face shields for healthcare workers fighting the coronavirus pandemic. MORE.

HOSPITALS

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

At Silver Cross Hospital in New Lenox, the hospital said as of April 15, it has 69 inpatients with known or suspected coronavirus. Of the 69 patients, 56 have tested positive for coronavirus and 13 are considered persons under investigation. All are being cared for in isolation. 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 New Lenox Library is closed until further notice. Patrons should keep their checked-out materials at home until the library reopens. The library has also canceled all of its in-person programming until August. MORE.

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 first concert planned for the popular Triple Play concert series in New Lenox has been rescheduled to Aug. 29 due to the coronavirus. The village has also canceled the majority of June events planned for the Commons. MORE.

This article originally appeared on the New Lenox Patch