Egyptian Health Department was notified on Wednesday, July 15, 2020 of ten Southeastern Illinois residents who have tested positive for Coronavirus (COVID-19). The individuals include:
a White County male, in his teens, at home and in isolation
a White County male, in his 20’s, at home and in isolation
a White County female, in her 20’s, at home and in isolation
a White County female, in her 30’s, at home and in isolation
a White County male, in his 60’s, at home and in isolation
a White County male, >10, at home and in isolation
a Saline County male, in his 20’s, at home and in isolation
a Saline County female, in her 30’s, at home and in isolation
a Saline County male, in his 40’s, at home and in isolation
a Gallatin County male, in his 80’s, at home and in isolation
To date, White County has had a total of 24 lab-confirmed positives, Saline County has had a total of 20 lab confirmed positives and Gallatin County has a total of 9 lab-confirmed positives of COVID-19. The Illinois Department of Public Health, their healthcare provider, and the individuals have all been notified and are monitoring the situation.
Public health officials are conducting an investigation of these cases by speaking with individuals who are deemed potential close contacts. As is protocol, public health officials may place other individuals on home quarantine if they are determined to have had significant exposure. Such individuals may not by symptomatic, but are quarantined for a period of time which allows symptoms to develop and pass, without posing risk to others. If you are contacted by public health officials, please respond promptly.
Close contacts may include individuals:
Living in the same household as a sick person with COVID-19
Caring for a sick person with COVID-19
Being within 6 feet of a sick person with COVID-19 for about 15 minutes, OR
Being in direct contact with secretions from a sick person with COVID-19 (e.g., being coughed
on, kissing, sharing utensils, etc.).
The number of cases can be reduced by adhering to public health guidance on social distancing, wearing a face covering, washing hands frequently, disinfecting commonly touched surfaces, and staying home when you are ill.
COVID-19 shares many symptoms with more common respiratory diseases. If you have a fever, cough, or difficulty breathing, call your healthcare provider for further guidance. In addition, several COVID-19 hotlines have been established:
Illinois Department of Public Health
(IDPH)-1-800-889-3931
DPH.SICK.ILLINOIS.GOV
Southern Illinois Healthcare (SIH)
1-844-988-7800
Ferrell Hospital (Triage Nurse)
(618) 273-2275
Harrisburg Medical Center
(618)253-7671
Christopher Rural Health Planning
Corporation Clinic (CRHPC) (Eldorado,
Carmi, Shawneetown)
1-800-408-7351
Community Health & Emergency
Services (CHESI)
1-877-MYCHESI(692-4374)
Clinicians are there to answer questions, assess each caller and advise on next steps.
