Lee County Unified Executive Leadership Team COVID-19 Update: May 5, 2020

Posted 5/4/20

There were 16 more positive tests in Lee County today for a total of 46. 16 of the 46 positive cases in Lee County have recovered and been lifted off isolation.

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

Log in

Lee County Unified Executive Leadership Team COVID-19 Update: May 5, 2020

Posted

LEE COUNTY — The number of Lee County COVID-19 cases has risen to 46 following an outbreak at the Jack Mabley Center in Dixon. 24 of 112 total residents have tested positive thus far.  Lee County Health Department and KSB Hospital are working closely together to monitor and provide support for this evolving situation. Most of the positives are without symptoms at this time.  KSB Hospital is fully prepared if an expected percentage of the patients need hospitalization. This is yet another example of how quickly this virus can spread.  The Jack Mabley Center has been following IDPH guidelines and working cooperatively with local leaders.

There was a significant buzz on social media regarding a specific business in Dixon who planned to re-open today. Members of the unified command team spoke with the business owner, and he has agreed to remain closed. We thank him for his cooperation and understanding of the importance of being united as a community. As a team, we realize these are very difficult times.  We are doing everything we can to support our small businesses while we work with Representative Tom Demmer on a plan for a potential pathway forward. To assist our small businesses through this time, the City of Dixon, LCIDA, and Dixon Chamber of Commerce and Main Street have awarded 62 grants to Lee County businesses totaling $110,904 for rent and utilities. 

The City of Dixon would like to thank Basil Tree for the generous donation of lunch to city staff.  It is greatly appreciated. 

New Testing Criteria:

The Illinois Department of Public Health has expanded testing guidelines.  Now the following people can be tested with or without symptoms. 

  • Work in health care facility
  • Work in correctional facilities, such as jails or prisons
  • Serve as first responders, such as paramedics, emergency medical technicians, law enforcement officers, or firefighters
  • Support critical infrastructure , such as workers in grocery stores, pharmacies, restaurants, gas stations, public utilities, factories, childcare and sanitation.

Other individuals may be tested if they have COVID-19 symptoms (cough, shortness of breath and fever) OR

have a risk factor, such as contact with someone confirmed to have COVID-19, a compromised immune system or a serious chronic medical condition

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.