First Positive COVID-19 Cases in Shelby, Coles Counties

Shelby County and Coles County are reporting their first positive cases on COVID-19.

The Coles County Health Department reports the person is at home in isolation and IDPH and CDC protocols have been implemented.

Public health officials are working to identify and actively monitor individuals who were in contact with the patient in an effort to reduce the risk of additional transmission.

Coles County Health Department Administrator Diana Stenger encourages residents who develop flu-like symptoms such as fever, cough, shortness of breath, and sore throat to stay home and contact their health care provider before seeking care.

The Shelby County Health Department announced their first confirmed case of coronavirus is a 67-year-old female and is currently self-isolating at their secondary residence in Sangamon County. Health Department officials are working to identify all close contacts with the individual, however, they believe the exposure risk to be low.

The best methods of prevention of transmission of the virus is practice social distancing and stay at home as much as possible; wash your hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and water; and avoid touching your face with unwashed hands.

While the case reported in Coles County is the first positive case of a Coles County resident, Patty Peterson of Sarah Bush LIncoln Health Center said the hospital has had 10 positive cases, including four over the past weekend. All of those cases over the weekend involve people who live within Sarah Bush's 10-county service area.

Peterson said that Sarah Bush has also had 200 negative tests for COVID-19.