COVID-19 Deaths Reported in Two Area Counties Friday

COVID-related deaths were reported by the Illinois Department of Public Health Friday in two area counties.

The deaths were those of a female in her 70s in Coles County and a male in his 90s in Fayette County.

There were 47 confirmed deaths related to COVID-19 reported in Illinois on Friday.

Meanwhile, Effingham County Health Department received notice of 17 new positive cases of Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) on Friday.

Positive case demographics are as follows:

Friday, October 2, 2020

Age                  Male             Female

Less than 1        1                     -

Less than 10      3                     2

Teens                 -                      1

20’s                    1                     1

30’s                    2                     2

40’s                    -                      -

50’s                    -                      1

60’s                    -                      1

70’s                    -                       -

80’s                    1                      -

90’s                    1                      -

Earlier this week, IDPH announced that it has been closely monitoring Region 6 of which Effingham County is a part and its data. As has been reported, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) is performing repeated saliva testing for staff and students. This is resulting in a tremendous number of tests, which can average up to 20% of all tests done in the state during some weeks. Because of this high volume, the positivity rate for Region 6 could be overshadowed by what is happening at UIUC. Therefore, in addition to providing data for Region 6, IDPH is now presenting data for Region 6 without Champaign County. However, Champaign County will still be required to implement mitigation efforts if regional metrics are tripped in Region 6. In doing this, IDPH has found that Region 6, with Champaign County included, is seeing a 2.0% 7-day rolling test positivity average. Without Champaign County, Region 6 is seeing a 7.2%, which puts the region at risk for needing to implement additional mitigation measures, including no indoor bar service or dining at restaurants, and limiting the size of event gatherings.

IDPH is encouraging local leaders and communities in Region 6 to begin taking action now to reduce the test positivity rate, which includes making sure people are wearing masks in public, maintaining social distance, and not gathering in large groups.

The Effingham County Health Department asks everyone to do their part in reducing the spread of COVID by masking up properly, washing hands regularly, maintaining 6ft social distancing and avoiding large groups.

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