Lee County Unified Executive Leadership Team COVID-19 Update: May 6, 2020

Posted 5/5/20

There were 10 more positive tests in Lee County today for a total of 56. 16 of the 56 positive cases in Lee County have recovered and been lifted off isolation.

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Lee County Unified Executive Leadership Team COVID-19 Update: May 6, 2020

Posted

LEE COUNTY — The number of Lee County COVID-19 cases has risen to 56 following 10 additional positive tests received at the Jack Mabley Center in Dixon. Lee County Health Department and KSB Hospital are working closely together to monitor and provide support for this evolving situation. 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. The Lee County Health Department would like to thank the Jack Mabley Center for being proactive and testing all residents.  Many of those who have tested positive have no symptoms; and would not otherwise have been identified.

This team has joined forces and created the Lee & Ogle County Executive Leadership Team. This team is working closely with Representative Tom Demmer to present a “pilot” phased regional re-opening plan to the Governor. The plan is expected to be delivered to the Governor later this week. Leaders began working on the plan this past Friday and were finalizing the plan Monday. Following the announcement yesterday by Governor Pritzker on the Restore Illinois plan, this team is making some minor modifications to the plan. A news release from the team was released earlier today and can be found on the City of Dixon Facebook Page and other social media sites related to the Lee County Team. 

Current 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.