Health and Medicine

The Heart of Illinois United Way is partnering with Peoria hotels to relocate some people experiencing homelessness during the COVID-19 pandemic.

A local doctor returning from a recent deployment with the 182nd Airlift Wing in Peoria helped assess alternative care sites across the state.

The Peoria City/County Health Department is reporting the area's first COVID-19 related death.

More positive COVID-19 tests are coming back in Central Illinois - including the first confirmed cases in Stark and Mason counties.

Local medical students are gathering personal protective equipment for healthcare workers on the frontlines.

Peoria Police Chief Loren Marion said more people are going outside in groups as the weather warms up. But he's asking people to adhere the governor's stay-at-home-order.

OSF Saint Francis Chief Nursing Officer Jen Hopwood said the hospital has boosted its bed counts to prepare for an influx of COVID-19 patients.

With the coronavirus sweeping across the country, the hospitality industry in central Illinois faces its biggest challenge since 9/11.

Peoria City/County Health Department medical director Dr. Gregg Stoner said the local COVID-19 infection and death projections he's seen give a real sense why social distancing measures like the stay-at-home order are necessary.

An Illinois nonprofit is offering two months' of mortgage or rent payments to help people out during the COVID-19 crisis.

Central Illinois artists are also among the many casualties in the battle against the spread of the coronavirus.

Peoria Mayor Jim Ardis is asking residents to call the non-emergency police number if they spot large gatherings defying the governor's extended stay-at-home order.

Drive-thru COVID-19 testing similar to what rolled out in McLean County this past weekend isn't here in Peoria - yet.

By Saturday, officials expect 500 hospital beds to be in place at a converted McCormick Place Convention Center in Chicago to deal with the overflow of COVID-19 patients.

The Tri-County hospitals are now reporting the number of COVID-19 related cases in their intensive care units.

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker says an infant with COVID-19 has died and an investigation is underway to determine the cause of death.

A Bradley University student enrolled in the Semester Abroad program has tested positive for COVID-19.

Rep. Cheri Bustos (D-Moline) is applauding the passage of the CARES Act - the single largest relief package in American history.

The annual Summer Camp Music Festival in Chillicothe is postponed to late August.

Heartland Health Services is rolling out a mobile clinic this week to provide medical screening and care to local shelters.

Gov. JB Pritzker on Tuesday described an Illinois worst-case scenario in which the state could be far short of the ventilators, hospital beds and intensive-care unit spaces for expected COVID-19 cases.

People suffering from substance use disorder may be unable to find supply or a safe way to use during the COVID-19 outbreak.

The Red Cross says blood donations are badly needed as COVID-19 forces the cancellation of blood drives across the country.

Marshall County is now reporting its first COVID-19 case.

There are three new COVID-19 cases in the Tri-County area confirmed since Sunday.

Peoria County Sheriff Brian Asbell says he's seen an increase in domestic violence cases as people are forced to spend more time cooped up with each other in close quarters.

Health officials in LaSalle County say COVID-19 is spreading through community contact.

Grocery stores are still open under Gov. J.B. Pritzker's shelter-in-place order.

Peoria’s economy, while vulnerable amid COVID-19 related closures, can be resilient, if businesses and consumers work together. That’s the message from Chris Setti, CEO of the Greater Peoria Economic Development Council.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker ordered Illinois residents to "shelter in place" starting 5 p.m. Saturday through April 7 in an effort to control the spread of COVID-19.