LEE COUNTY — The first COVID-19 patient to be admitted to KSB Hospital has recovered and been successfully discharged. This comes on the same day as a person who tested positive being released from isolation by the Lee County Health Department.  This person did not require hospitalization.  While these are good signs, Lee County recently received a positive test of a person in their 20’s who has not had any symptoms.  This individual was tested because they had contact with a person who tested positive.  This highlights the need for social distancing and following the executive order. People can be positive with no symptoms, and pass the virus to others.

Today, the Lee County Health Department received three additional positive tests, which brings the total cases in Lee County to 16. Two of the positives are in their 30’s and one is in their 40’s. There are still 37 test results pending. 270 negative test results have been received and 15 people are currently being quarantined.

By week’s end, KSB Hospital will have “point of care” testing for in-patient, healthcare workers, and those who live in extended care facilities. Physician’s Immediate Care now has rapid testing available in Dixon. These tests provide results in 8 to 12 minutes. A doctor’s prescription is still required for the tests. 

Oliver’s Food Pride has graciously donated lunch to workers at the Jack Mabley Center for workers who have been working double shifts.  As a sign of respect, the entire KSB Hospital team is taking a moment of silence every day at 3:16 pm.  This is moment of silence is to honor the healthcare team, patients and residents, and our community who have been impacted by COVID-19.

Today, the State of Illinois announced 1,346 new cases bringing the total to 24,593 across 89 of the 102 counties. The death toll has climbed to 948.     

SNOW BIRDS ARE ASKED TO CONTACT THE LEE COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT:

It is that time of year where “snow birds” will be returning north to their primary homes.  These are people who live at a secondary residence during certain times of the year, generally traveling to areas of the country with a warmer winter temperature.  If you are returning to Lee County, please contact the health department at 815/284-3371.  The health department will make recommendations to keep you, your family, and our community safe.   

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.