Cumberland County Proclaimed a Disaster Emergency Area

Cumberland County Board Chairman Roy Clapp has proclaimed that a "disaster emergency" exists in the county.

The proclamation was issued Saturday after a county resident tested positive for the COVID-19 virus. The resident is a man in his 70s. He was tested at Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center near Mattoon and then returned home. The Illinois Department of Public Health notified the hospital Friday night that the test came back positive.

Clapp said the proclamation was issued upon recommendation of the directors of the Cumberland County Health Department and Cumberland County Emergency Management Agency.

The proclamation will free up additional federal resources to the county.

The Cumberland County Health Department Emergency Operations Plan and the Cumberland County Emergency Operations Plan have been activated.

Clapp said county officials are strongly suggesting that food services be curtailed, such as open salad bars or pizzas under a heat lamp that a number of people could be using, and that churches cancel their Sunday worship services.

The disaster emergency is in effect for seven days, as of March 14, but could be extended if necessary by a vote of the Cumberland County Board.