MCDONOUGH CO., Ill. (NEWS3) — Days after McDonough County reported three coronavirus outbreaks, another facility is now added to the list.
McDonough County Health Department (MCHD) said its now investigating an outbreak at a Macomb Edison Apartment building. This is one of four outbreaks the county has reported during the coronavirus pandemic.
Health staff also announced two additional residents tested positive for COVID-19. The new cases includes a woman in her 20s and a woman in her 40s.
“As we continue to see our local positive COVID-19 case count rise, it is increasingly important to take precautions to minimize the transmission of illness,” health staff said. “MCHD strongly urges all residents to wear cloth face covers and practice physical distancing when in public, and to continue to abide by the Stay at Home Order issued by the Governor for the health and safety of the entire community.”
Officials announced the county’s first death related to the virus Friday. A resident in his 70s died after testing positive for coronavirus earlier this week.
The county’s first outbreak was reported Tuesday of an outbreak at The Lamoine Assisted Living and Memory Care center in Macomb. The following day, authorities said there was an outbreak at the Mosaic residential facility. Then Thursday, staff reported an outbreak at Heartland Health Care Center nursing home. Officials said an outbreak means there is at least one positive case at a facility and others have symptoms of the virus.
Within the past week, Western Illinois University confirmed its first student, who was living off campus, tested positive for COVID-19.
“Cloth face covers, when properly worn, are an important source control to keep asymptomatic individuals from spreading the virus inadvertently to others,” health officials said. “Do your part and protect the health of your family and community members!”
County health staff said protocols from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have been implemented and they are working to identify and actively monitor individuals who were in contact with the residents in an effort to reduce the risk of additional transmission.
Staff said 3 of the 36 positive cases in McDonough County have recovered from the disease.
“Recovered is defined by CDC as resolution of fever without fever-reducing medications for 3
days (72 hours), improvement of respiratory symptoms, and at least 7 days have passed since symptoms first appeared,” officials said.
Below are current COVID-19 test results in surrounding counties around the NEWS3 viewing area:
- McDonough County: 36 positive (3 recovered), 1 death, 287 negative, 81 pending
- Schuyler County: 1 positive (1 recovered), 71 negative, 0 pending
- Hancock County: 9 positive (4 recovered) (1 hospitalized), 127 negative, 22 pending
- Warren County: 86 positive, 168 negative and unknown pending
- Fulton County: 3 positive (1 recovered), 163 negative, unknown pending
- Knox County: 52 positive, 290 negative, 120 pending
- Adams County: 40 positive (27 recovered), 1 death, 1,134 negative, 111 pending
“Please remain vigilant about keeping germs from spreading by covering coughs and sneezes, washing hands with soap and warm water, and staying home when sick,” MCHD staff said.
Anyone experiencing unmanageable symptoms of coronavirus should call your primary healthcare provider or McDonough District Hospital’s nurse telephone hotline at 309-836-1715. The hotline operates from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days a week.
For the latest information on COVID-19 and how to protect yourself, you can go to the CDC’s website at cdc.gov or the IDPH’s website at dph.illinois.gov.
