The Covid-19 pandemic has not only devastated the U.S. economy and cost more than 260,000 American lives, it is driving record hunger in the greater Quad-Cities region. “The number of people who don’t have enough food to eat in the QCA has increased by over 50 percent since Covid,” Mike Miller, president/CEO of River Bend Foodbank, said this week. “There are now almost 150,000 in the 23 counties we serve, 1 in 7 people and 1 in 4 children who are food insecure.” “The Foodbank has responded with record-setting food distributions in April, May, June, and July, with over 2 million meals... Read More

UPDATED: Iowa covid-19 numbers are soaring to record rates, on pace for a “100 percent infection rate” for the state, according to numbers from the Iowa Department of Public Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and Covid Act Now, a not-for-profit data aggregation center affiliated with the medical departments of Harvard, Stanford and Georgetown Universities. “COVID cases are exponentially growing and/or Iowa’s COVID preparedness is significantly below international standards,” according to Covid Act Now. “Over the last week, Iowa has averaged 3,599... Read More

The following first-person testimonial about her experiences was written by Cara Crumrine, RN for UnityPoint Health As an intensive care nurse at UnityPoint Health, I’ve seen fellow medical personnel in my life putting out scary memes and begging posts asking people to help them. I’ve seen other community members speak about how it’s not right or fair to have government officials interfere in their livelihood. I’ve seen these comments, plus countless more, and decided it’s time to speak up. This is hard. I haven’t been in a situation where I watch the world I’ve built with hard work... Read More

As a result to the rising numbers of COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations in Scott County and Davenport, the Library will be rolling back some services in order to follow the guidance of the City of Davenport.  At this time, the Library will have restricted access during normal hours of operation.  The library is implementing the following changes: Patrons will no longer be able to enter our buildings to browse for materials and must place holds on all items to pick-up by curbside (|Main |Eastern) and by drive-up window (|Fairmount). Public computers can only be accessed by appointment.... Read More

Rock Island County is at a “crisis point” in regard to covid-19 cases, according to health department officials. Currently, a record 92 patients are in Rock Island County hospitals with COVID-19. In addition, the health department reports 114 additional cases. The total number is now 7,783. “This is a jump of 16 patients (in area hospitals) from Sunday to Monday,” said Nita Ludwig, administrator, Rock Island County Health Department. “We know our hospital systems sounded alarms earlier this month when the number of patients was lower. Now, we are at a crisis point with... Read More

BREAKING NEWS: Every person in the Quad-Cities and surrounding communities could end up infected with covid-19 if cases continue at current rates through the fall of 2021, according to latest statistics from the Illinois Department of Health and Covid Act Now, a not-for-profit national data aggregation website affiliated with the medical departments of Stanford, Harvard and Georgetown Universities. “On average, each person in Rock Island County, Illinois with COVID is infecting 1.17 other people. As such, the total number of active cases in Rock Island County, Illinois is growing at an unsustainable... Read More

Tiphanie Cannon, owner of Oh So Sweet by Tiphanie in downtown Davenport, and her dedicated staff, made the day of hundreds of health care workers today, delivering them free sandwiches and lunch as part of their Adopt A Nurse program! As reported first on QuadCities.com, Cannon asked customers to spend $10 per employee, for Oh So Sweet to make and deliver individually boxed lunches consisting on one of their popular sandwiches, a giant cookie, chips and a pickle. On Nov. 17, Cannon had over 300 sandwiches delivered to Trinity campuses in the Quad-Cities, and today, they delivered 540 boxes... Read More

BREAKING NEWS: All bars and restaurants are going to carry-out and drive-thru only, all casinos and theaters are shut down, many grocery stores and other retail outlets are restricting their hours, high school sports are being put on hold, and many other changes are hitting the Illinois Quad-Cities as part of statewide mandates in effect today, as announced in Illinois Governor JB Pritzker’s press conference this afternoon, which just ended. According to the most recent available statistics, the Quad-Cities’ region is at a 15.6 covid positivity rate with a rolling seven-day average... Read More

Covid-19 is now the third-highest cause of death in Illinois, according to statistics announced one day before additional statewide coronavirus mitigations are slated to go into effect. As businesses and workers gird themselves for financial hardships the federal government and both political parties have ignored in lieu of political games, Illinois was hit with its highest single-day death count since mid-May, suffering 168 new coronavirus-related fatalities, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health. Thursday, 14,612 new confirmed and probable COVID-19 cases were reported, and the... Read More

Quad-Cities stores are far from flush with toilet paper. With new covid-19 restrictions in place for the Iowa and Illinois Quad-Cities, toilet paper is flying off the shelves again in local stores, although other staple food and supply items seem to be remaining stable on shelves. A visit to six area locations — two Targets, a Walmart, a Sam’s Club, and two HyVee stores — showed that shelves are barren in some, but still in ok shape in others. Iowa side stores seem to be in more of a frenzy, given Governor Kim Reynolds’ proclamations and immediate restrictions put in place... Read More