Egyptian Health Department was notified on Friday, July 17, 2020 of nine Southeastern Illinois residents who have tested positive for Coronavirus (COVID-19). The individuals include:
a White County male, under the age of 10, at home and in isolation
a White County female, in her 30’s, at home and in isolation
a Saline County female, in her 30’s, at home and in isolation
a Saline County female, in her 30’s, at home and in isolation
a Saline County female, in her 70’s, at home and in isolation
a Saline County female, in her 40’s, at home and in isolation
a Saline County male, in his 60’s, at home and in isolation
a Gallatin County male, in his teens, at home and in isolation
a Gallatin County female, in her 70’s, at home and in isolation
To date, Saline County has had a total of 35 lab confirmed positives White County has had a total of 27 lab-confirmed positives, and Gallatin County has a total of 13 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. The number of COVID-19 cases in Illinois has risen over the past week. According to the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), on July 16, 2020, the confirmed total of COVID-19 in the State is 159,334 individuals.
The public is asked to follow and share trusted sources of information on COVID-19. The spread of incorrect information during disease outbreaks can lead people to take actions which may not be beneficial to their health or the health of others. Follow the CDC, IDPH, Illinois Coronavirus website, WROY/WRUL Media, EHD websites and social media accounts for such trusted information. Public health officials will not be releasing more specific details about this individual due to privacy issues.
