ULLIN — After initially reporting a small outbreak of COVID-19 at an immigration detention center in rural Southern Illinois in early April, county officials and the health department have clammed up about the spread of the virus inside the facility, even as advocates say detainees have been left in the dark and are fearful for their lives.
A Cuban immigrant who was released a week ago from Pulaski County Detention Center said detainees have received very little information about COVID-19 from staff. He found out about the first positive cases from a fellow detainee and confirmed it later watching the local news.
Empty classrooms, churches, bars and stores: Southern Illinois COVID-19 impact, in photos
CCHS Cap and Gown Pickup
Updated
Gwen Poore, assistant principal ta CCHS, looks through packaged caps and gowns on Monday at Carbondale Community High School. Seniors picked up their cap, gown and diploma holder amid cancellations of in-person graduation ceremonies due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The diplomas were not included because of the temporary closing of the production facility due to the virus.
Brian Munoz, For The Southern
CCHS Cap and Gown Pickup
Updated
Brandi Jones, Carbondale Community High School student activities director, looks through packaged caps and gowns Monday at the high school. Seniors picked up their cap, gown and diploma holder amid cancellations of in-person graduation ceremonies due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The diplomas were not included because of the temporary closing of the production facility due to the virus.
Brian Munoz, For The Southern
CCHS Cap and Gown Pickup
Updated
A sign encouraging social distancing is pictured on Monday at Carbondale Community High School. Seniors picked up their cap, gown and diploma holder amid cancellations of in-person graduation ceremonies due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The diplomas were not included because of the temporary closing of the production facility due to the virus.
Brian Munoz, For The Southern
CCHS Cap and Gown Pickup
Updated
Corbin Greene, a senior at Carbondale Community High School, picks up graduation materials from Brandi Jones, CCHS student activities director, on Monday at the high school in Carbondale. Seniors picked up their cap, gown and diploma holder amid cancellations of in-person graduation ceremonies due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The diplomas were not included because of the temporary closing of the production facility due to the virus.
Brian Munoz, For The Southern
CCHS Cap and Gown Pickup
Updated
Austin Helbock, a senior at Carbondale Community High School, picks up his graduation materials after speaking to Gwen Poore, assistant principal, on Monday at CCHS in Carbondale. Seniors picked up their cap, gown and diploma holder amid cancellations of in-person graduation ceremonies due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The diplomas were not included because of the temporary closing of the production facility due to the virus.
Brian Munoz, For The Southern
CCHS Cap and Gown Pickup
Updated
Caps, gowns and diploma holders are pictured Monday at Carbondale Community High School. Seniors picked up their cap, gown and diploma holder amid cancellations of in-person graduation ceremonies due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The diplomas were not included because of the temporary closing of the production facility due to the virus.
Brian Munoz, For The Southern
Holy Week
Updated
Father Bob Flanery delivers his message via video streaming during Good Friday services at the Church of Saint Xavier Francis on April 10 in Carbondale.
SIU students Michael Glubzinski and Ody Ekwonwa carry the cross through an empty sanctuary during the Veneration of the Cross as part of Good Friday services at the Church of Saint Francis Xavier on April 10 in Carbondale.
Pastor Tim Sims opens the Maundy Thursday service on April 9 in an empty sanctuary at St. John Lutheran Church in Chester. The church has been streaming its services online in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Associate pastor Justin Massey delivers the sermon during the Maundy Thursday service on April 9 at St. John Lutheran Church in Chester. The church has been streaming and recording services for its congregation during the pandemic.
Discarded gloves lay in the parking lot at Walmart in Carbondale on April 9. Officials remind the public that any used protective equipment should be disposed of properly to avoid the potential spread of contaminants.
A discarded glove lays in the parking lot at Walmart in Carbondale on April 9. Officials remind the public that any used protective equipment should be disposed of properly.
Searching for closure: SIU Carbondale graduating students grapple adapting to COVID-19 challenges
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A homemade face mask hangs on the key rack at Jazmín Ramos’ apartment on Friday, April 3, 2020, in Carbondale. Ramos, a first-generation student from Chicago, Ill., will be one of thousands across the country who have had to adapt to life as a student in the midst of the pandemic.
Brian Munoz, For The Southern
Meals to-go
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SIU sophomore Jose Corona takes a to-go meal from Lentz Hall back to his dorm at Thompson Point on March 31 in Carbondale.
Carbondale High School sits empty March 26 in Carbondale. This comes after Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker delivered a mandate shuttering schools to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
Brian Munoz, For The Southern
Closed for now
Updated
The parking lot sits empty at the University Mall March 25 in Carbondale.
Carbondale bar community unsure of future amidst COVID-19 outbreak
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A digital display at Hangar 9 encourages the public on March 21 in Carbondale. Earlier in the week, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced the closure of all in-person dining, including bars, to help prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
Brian Munoz, For The Southern
Carbondale bar community unsure of future amidst COVID-19 outbreak
Updated
The newly-renovated patio at The Cellar sits empty on March 20 in Carbondale. In March, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker had announced the closure of all in-person dining, including bars, to help prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
Brian Munoz, For The Southern
Carbondale bar community unsure of future amidst COVID-19 outbreak
Updated
Picnic tables sit empty March 20 at Hangar 9 in Carbondale. Earlier in the week, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker had announced the closure of all in-person dining, including bars, to help prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
Brian Munoz, For The Southern
Carbondale bar community unsure of future amidst COVID-19 outbreak
Updated
The beer garden at Tres Hombres Bar and Grill sits empty March 20 in Carbondale. Earlier in the week, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker had announced the closure of all in-person dining, including bars, to help prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
Brian Munoz, For The Southern
Carbondale bar community unsure of future amidst COVID-19 outbreak
Updated
A jukebox illuminates booths March 20 at Traxx in Carbondale, days after Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker had announced the closure of all in-person dining, including bars, to help prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
Brian Munoz, For The Southern
Carbondale bar community unsure of future amidst COVID-19 outbreak
Updated
Chairs sit empty March 20 at Hangar 9 in Carbondale, days after Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker had announced the closure of all in-person dining, including bars, to help prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
Brian Munoz, For The Southern
School's out
Updated
The empty playground at Lewis Elementary School is shown on March 19 in Carbondale.
A classroom in the north wing of Thomas Elementary sits empty on March 17 in Carbondale. March 17 marked the first day schools were closed across the state in attempts to curb the spread of COVID-19. Now, educators are preparing for schools to reopen in the fall.
Brian Munoz, For The Southern
Food to-go
Updated
Volunteers Susan Davis (left) and Bess Shannon assist Jamie Baize pack up meals for her family at the Herrin House of Hope on Monday, March 16. The facility switched its meal service to take-out only in response to the COVID-19 outbreak.
Barricades block Stonefort Road through Giant City State Park on March 16 following the announcement by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources to close all state parks, fish and wildlife areas, recreational areas, and historic sites until further notice to help combat the spread of COVID-19.
Faith communities adapt weekly worship to coronavirus pandemic
Updated
Hundreds of empty chairs fill the worship hall at Cornerstone Church as the church’s band performs on Sunday, March 15, 2020, during a livestreamed service in Marion. Cornerstone Church canceled in-person worship after an executive order by Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker to limit large gatherings to limit the spread of COVID-19.
Brian Munoz, For The Southern
Faith communities adapt weekly worship to coronavirus pandemic
Updated
Nathan Ralls, an adult ministries pastor at Cornerstone Church, helps manage a livestream feed on Sunday, March 15, 2020, in Marion. Cornerstone Church canceled in-person worship after an executive order by Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker to limit large gatherings to limit the spread of COVID-19.
Brian Munoz, For The Southern
Faith communities adapt weekly worship to coronavirus pandemic
Updated
Nathan Ralls, an adult ministries pastor at Cornerstone Church, posts a livestream to the church’s Facebook page on Sunday, March 15, 2020, in Marion. Cornerstone Church canceled in-person worship after an executive order by Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker to limit large gatherings to limit the spread of COVID-19.
Brian Munoz, For The Southern
Faith communities adapt weekly worship to coronavirus pandemic
Updated
Hundreds of empty chairs fill the worship hall at Cornerstone Church as the church’s band performs on Sunday, March 15, 2020, during a livestreamed service in Marion. Cornerstone Church canceled in-person worship after an executive order by Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker to limit large gatherings to limit the spread of COVID-19.
Brian Munoz, For The Southern
Faith communities adapt weekly worship to coronavirus pandemic
Updated
Suzanne Schmitz, left, and Danuta Del Rio, both of Carbondale, wipe down pews with disinfectant wipes at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church on Sunday, March 15, 2020, after a morning service in Carbondale. The Catholic Diocese of Belleville later canceled Mass services after Gov. J.B. Pritzker's stay-home order went into effect.
Brian Munoz, For The Southern
Virus shows its impact in Southern Illinois
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A patron looks through remaining paper towels March 13 at Walmart in Carbondale. Retailers across the country have been low on toiletries and disinfectants due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
