UPDATED AT 3:50 P.M. ON 4/10/20
MCDONOUGH CO., Ill. (NEWS3) — McDonough County health officials released more information about its first coronavirus case during a press conference Friday afternoon.
McDonough County Health Department Administrator Lynnette Cale said the man, who is in his 40s, was tested in another county and is currently recovering at home. Cale said anyone that had been exposed to the patient has been contacted. Officials have no other concerns connected to the case.
“I’m not worried that there will be more cases,” Cale said. “There probably are more, but people should assume there already are.”
McDonough County Emergency Services and Disaster Agency Director Edgar Rodriguez said the county has a sufficient amount of medical supplies for McDonough District Hospital and first responders.
“Equipment is coming, but not at the speed we would like,” Rodriguez said. “We have to be patient and conservative with the amount of equipment we have.”
Officials said there are currenly 60 beds at McDonough District Hospital that are available for patients.
You can watch the McDonough County Health Department’s press conference by clicking here.
ORIGINAL STORY AT 10:50 A.M. ON 4/10/20
MCDONOUGH CO., Ill. (NEWS3) — Another county in west-central Illinois is now reporting its first confirmed case of COVID-19.
McDonough County Health Department announced Friday a man in his 40s tested positive for the coronavirus.
This news comes two days after two bordering counties reported their first case. The health departments in Hancock and Schuyler counties reported its first confirmed case Wednesday.
McDonough County public health officials said they are working to identify and actively monitor individuals who were in contact with the patient in an effort to reduce the risk of additional transmission.
Schuyler County Health Department said the woman is in her 30s and is at home recovering. Officials said she does not report any significant travel. Hancock County Health Department said the resident is in their 20s to 30s and is also at home recovering.
Friday morning, Fulton County emergency officials also announced its first COVID-19 case. The patient is recovering at home.
The Illinois Department of Public Health reported Friday 1,465 more COVID-19 cases and a total of 17,887 cases overall, including 596 deaths, in 83 counties in Illinois.
In the NEWS3 viewing area, here are the latest COVID-19 test results:
- McDonough County: 1 positive, 50 negative, 2 pending
- Schuyler County: 1 positive, unknown negative and pending
- Hancock County: 1 positive, 25 negative, 5 pending
- Warren County: 0 positive, 14 negative, 0 pending
- Fulton County: 2 positive, 31 negative, 2 pending
- Knox County: 1 positive, 85 negative, 16 pending
- Adams County: 24 positive, 242 negative, 48 pending
MDH has launched a drive-thru screening station to test for Influenza A and B, strep and COVID-19, but patients must pre-register before showing up.
To pre-register, you must receive an order by your primary care provider or call the MDH nurse triage hotline at 309-836-1715. The hotline is open daily from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
MDH officials said if a person is experiencing symptoms of fever, cough or shortness of breath, they should call their primary care provider or the MDH nurse triage hotline. Patients younger than 18 will need to call their pediatrician or primary care provider. Anyone without a primary care provider, can call the MDH Family Clinic or MDH Convenience Clinic at 309-837-6937.
The McDonough County Health Department wants to remind the community, even though it’s Easter weekend, the stay-at-home order is still in effect. Extended family gatherings, Easter services and events in person should be avoided. Instead, officials suggest video conferencing with family and friends or spending time at home or outside with immediate family residing together.
