LEE COUNTY — The number of infected people across Illinois continues to rise and an infant is one of 13 people who lost their lives to COVID-19 since yesterday’s report. The state death toll has climbed to 47.  While children appear to be affected less than adults, those who suffer from underlying health conditions may be at increased risk.  There are now 24 reported cases in our IDPH region.

While Saturdays are generally filled with gatherings and going out for dinner, our team recommends supporting local restaurants through carryout or delivery and virtually connecting with friends and family through platforms like Zoom, Google Handout, and Facetime.

Weather experts are predicting strong storms, including the possibility of tornadoes through this evening.  Lee County is under a tornado watch until 9 p.m.

Five businesses have contacted the City of Dixon with interest in the Downstate Small Business Stabilization Program.  Staff are working through the weekend to create checklists and templates for this grant. Dixon businesses interested in this grant should email City Manager Danny Langloss at danny.langloss@discoverdixon.org 

Small business grant assistance information:

The City of Dixon and Dixon Chamber of Commerce and Main Street are working with State Representative Tom Demmer to provide information about state and federal financial assistance programs available to our local businesses.  There are two specific grant programs offered through the State of Illinois:  one is the Hospitality Emergency Grant Program and the second is the Downstate Small Business Stabilization Program.  The Hospitality grant is due April 1^st.  The Downstate Small Business grant just opened.  More detailed information will be available through a separate press release. A direct link to these State of Illinois resources can be found here:   https://www2.illinois.gov/dceo/SmallBizAssistance/Pages/EmergencySBAIntiatives.aspx

Yesterday afternoon, President Donald Trump signed the $2.2 trillion stimulus bill that will put cash directly in the hands of many Americans and will also provide significant financial assistance to businesses through Small Business Association (SBA) loans. It appears many of these will come with loan forgiveness if certain parameters are met. 

Local Numbers:

Today, KSB Hospital received 20 new test results. All were negative. The breakdown of test results between Lee and Ogle County are not available during the weekend. There are still no confirmed cases in Lee County. 

Lee County State’s Attorney’s Office:

State’s Attorney Charley Boonstra would like to warn community members of scams related to COVID-19.  The Attorney General has reported robocalls and fraudulent emails are being transmitted to individuals hoping to get personal information like social security numbers, Medicare beneficiary information, credit card/ bank information, and other sensitive information. These individuals are also calling/emailing and offering products that are related to the COVID-19 pandemic, such as testing equipment, masks, and products that will sterilize or kill COVID-19.  Many of these scams are also related to stimulus checks that may be authorized by the federal government. S.A. Boonstra is urging our community to not give out personal information over the phone or email and to contact law enforcement if anyone suspects any of this activity occurring.

Feeding the Hungry:

“Feeding The Hungry” will be moving from The Living Well Church to the KSB Emergency Department Parking Lot on Tuesday and Thursday’s from 5:00 - 6:00 PM.  St. Anne Church hosts the program on Wednesday evenings from 6:00 - 7:00.  Meals are available to anyone in need with no questions asked.

“Essential” Business Questions:

If you are a business and not sure how you are affected by the "Stay at Home" Executive Order: The Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) can help you decipher the Executive Order.

Please feel free to direct questions to 1-800-252-2923 or CEO.support@illinois.gov. 

The Governor’s Office is in the process of collecting and responding to questions regarding the state’s response to the COVID-19 outbreak. To help facilitate that process, they have created an email address, Gov.COVID19stakeholder@illinois.gov, where citizens may send questions, comments and recommendations. The Governor’s staff will then compile all inquiries and respond with answers.    

 What to do if you think you have COVID-19: (UPDATED INFORMATION)

During the current Corona Virus outbreak, individuals with symptoms SHOULD NOT GO to health care facilities such as hospitals, clinics, and urgent care centers without CALLING FIRST.  Instead, they can seek care by using one of the following options: 

• Use the “KSB Care Anywhere” virtual care app (https://ksbhospital.zipnosis.com/) for a free 5 question screening in order to help differentiate your symptoms between the virus and other seasonal maladies. While a credit card is required for a more involved assessment, no charges will be applied if a COVID-19 testing referral is made.
• KSB is offering a Coronavirus HOTLINE, by which symptoms can be evaluated against federal screening guidelines, and if appropriate, a referral is made to their Drive-Thru Screening site. The screening site is available ONLY through the hotline and between 9:00 am and 5:00 pm on weekdays by calling 815-285-7777.
• Residents with a Primary Care Practitioner can also CALL their office for advice. Again, CALL FIRST before going to the office. 

Residents can go to the following websites for additional information:

Go to KSB, IDPH, or CDC websites.  Lee County Health Department provides regular updates on its Facebook page.

• https://www.ksbhospital.com/coronavirus-outbreak-covid-19/
• http://dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/diseases-and-conditions/diseases-a-z-list/coronavirus
• https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
• For businesses: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/guidance-business-response.html
• Facebook: Lee County IL Health Department

For general questions about COVID-19, call the IDPH hotline at 1-800-889-3931 or 211.