Health Department Reports 14 Positive COVID-19 Cases Monday

The Effingham County Health Department Monday received notice of 14 new positive cases of Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19). The Department is still investigating whether these individuals have had contact with known COVID positive cases.

Positive case demographics are as follows:

Age Male Female

Teens  1      1

20’s     0      2

30’s     1      0

40’s     1      1

50’s     1      0

60’s     0      2

70’s     2      1

80’s     1      0

“Isolation” is the term used when a COVID positive person is separated from others to prevent illness from spreading. Persons with COVID disease must isolate for a minimum of 10 days from the first day symptoms appear. During this time, health department staff members make contact with persons in isolation to see if symptoms are getting worse and to see if these persons are in need of assistance. Assistance may include medical needs, grocery pick up / delivery, medication delivery, or other items. Persons in isolation may not leave their home.

“Quarantine” is the term used when a person exposed to a COVID positive case (a close contact) is separated from others to monitor their health for development of symptoms. It is necessary to quarantine close contacts as soon as possible because if they have the virus, they can be infectious for up to 48 hours before symptoms arise. The quarantine period for a close contact is 14 days. Health department staff members also make contact with persons in quarantine to check on their health and to see if their needs are being met.

Health department officials say the impact of COVID is overwhelming and is consuming a significant portion of the department’s resources. The health department asks the community to be patient when leaving messages; calls will be returned as soon as they can. If urgent care is required, call 9-1-1 immediately.

The Health Department again delivered these admonitions: Wear your mask. Keep your distance. Wash your hands. Stay home if you’re sick. And please stop gathering in large groups.

For more information on Coronavirus, visit www.dph.illinois.gov/COVID-19 or www.effcohealth.org