Kentucky Derby Postponed And Other Coronavirus News, Tuesday, March 17

The Kentucky Derby was postponed and many other events in the Midwest were canceled, as officials tried to stem the spread of coronavirus. Indiana and Kentucky saw their first fatalities this week, as the number and severity of coronavirus cases continues to rise in the Midwest. Here's a state-by-state summary of the news:

Illinois

Gov. J.B. Pritzker ordered all schools closed through March 30. 

Bars and restaurants are closed to dine-in patrons until March 30.

The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign suspended in-person classes for the rest of the semester.

The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum is closed until further notice.

Indiana

Religious groups are adjusting to restrictions on public gatherings. At St. Matthew Cathedral in South Bend, that meant no holy water, no hymnals and other changes in the mass.

Indiana joined neighboring states in closing bars, nightclubs and restaurants to dine-in customers. The restriction will last at least until the end of March.

The state gaming commission ordered casinos to close for at least two weeks.

More than 270 school districts have closed, and officials are working with the remaining 16 districts to determine their next steps.

Iowa

The legislature suspended its session for at least 30 days.

State lawmakers waived the requirement for schools to make up days canceled due to the coronavirus. State officials had previously recommended that all schools close for four weeks.

The governor limited restaurants and bars to takeout. Casinos, fitness centers, theaters, senior centers are closed and mass gatherings are limited to 10 people.

Kentucky

The Kentucky Derby, originally scheduled for May 2, has been postponed for only the second time in its 146-year history. The new date is Sept. 5.

The Secretary of State recommended that primary elections be moved from May 19 to June 23.

Missouri

The St. Louis-area archdiocese suspended all masses until April 6, when the situation will be re-evaluated.

A St. Louis University student, who recently returned from a study abroad program in a country hard-hit by the coronavirus, tested positive for COVID-19.

Ohio

Gov. Mike DeWine halted Tuesday's primary.

Bars and restaurants are closed to dine-in customers. State offiicials also ordered fitness centers, movie theaters, bowling alleys and similar businesses to close.

This story was produced by Side Effects Public Media, a news collaborative covering public health.