LEE COUNTY — There are no new positive cases of COVID-19 in Lee County, the Lee County total remains steady at 79. 24 people have fully recovered and have been lifted off isolation. The State of Illinois reported 2,388 new cases today bringing the total to 100,418. The death toll has risen to 4,525.

The Unified Executive Leadership team is awaiting guidance from the Illinois Department of Public Health regarding future movement into Phase 3 of the Restore Illinois Plan.  As new information becomes available we will pass it along. 

KSB Patient Safety Measures

While KSB Medical Group offices are open and available to serve the community, it is not uncommon for patients to have concerns about the safety of visiting a medical facility during the Corona Virus outbreak.   With this in mind, please note that the following measures are being taken at each of the clinic facilities:

• All individuals are being screened upon entering a KSB Clinic by taking temperatures and asking screening questions explicit to COVID 19.
• All patients with Upper Respiratory symptoms are masked and put into an exam room specific to the virus thereby allowing other exam rooms to remain “clean” for asymptomatic patients.
• Waiting rooms are arranged to follow the guidelines of social distancing in which no one can sit closer than 6 feet away from another. 
• The use of Telemedicine visits are evaluated daily to identify those with chronic care issues that should be seen or other ailments that would warrant an office visit. 
• Lastly, KSB can allow patients to wait in their car at the clinic until the exam room and provider are ready to see them.

While it is certainly reasonable to take appropriate precautions, it is not the time to put off acute or ongoing medical care out of fear of going to the doctor’s office.  KSB hopes this information provides the reassurance that you need to attend to your ongoing healthcare needs.

For the latest local information on the COVID-19 situation, listen to KSB Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Pratip Nag on the WIXN Talk Line this morning:

https://soundcloud.com/user-442173169/talkline-dr-pratip-nag-05-20-20

The City of Dixon in partnership with LCIDA and Dixon Chamber of Commerce and Main Street have extended their small business stabilization grant for one month.  This grant was created to help small businesses with their May rent or mortgage and utility bills.  To date, the program has helped 75 small businesses in Lee County through $161,488 in local grant money.  Those interested in applying for the grant can get an application at www.dixongov.com  Applications can be submitted to heather.mccarter@discoverdixon.org  The second round of grants will begin to be awarded by the middle of next week.

This Memorial Day weekend as we honor the memory of those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our Country let us all be mindful that as countrymen we’ve been through prior tough times and have always pulled through.  Despite differences of opinion on the issues of the day, as Americans there is far more that unites us than divides us, and that we have much to be thankful for.  Be safe, be respectful, be understanding of one another, and please take a few solemn moments to remember those who gave the last full measure of devotion in service to our Republic.    

 Current Testing Criteria:

The Illinois Department of Public Health has expanded testing guidelines.  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.