Sunday COVID-19 update from the Livingston County Health Department

Two New Confirmed Cases – 62 Cases Total in Livingston County
Livingston County, IL – Two more residents of Livingston County have tested positive for COVID-19 (coronavirus disease). Livingston County Health Department (LCHD) officials were notified of the new COVID-19 cases on July 19, 2020, according to state and local public health protocol. The individuals include a male in his 20s and male in his 60s both recovering in isolation.
LCHD officials continue to work closely with the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), and have investigated and notified any individuals who may have had exposure to this individual who tested positive for COVID-19.
As of July 19, 2020, the LCHD has received 3,719 COVID-19 test results. Of that, 62 COVID- 19 tests have been confirmed positive, 3,657 tests confirmed negative, 53 of the previously reported confirmed cases have been removed from isolation, seven cases remain active, and, sadly, two cases have resulted in death due to complications related to COVID-19. Of those individuals who have tested positive, thirteen were asymptomatic at the time of testing. For details on the previously reported cases and up-to-date information for Livingston County, IL, community members can visit the LCHD’s website: www.lchd.us.
Individuals who travel to hot spots in the country, those areas where higher rates of confirmed COVID-19 cases are reported, are strongly encouraged to get tested for COVID-19 5-7 days after returning from their trip or sooner if experiencing symptoms. People can track confirmed COVID-19 cases in Illinois by county and zip code by visiting IDPH’s COVID-19 statistics site: https://www.dph.illinois.gov/covid19/covid19-statistics, and may also track confirmed cases nationwide by using CDC’s COVID-19 tracker tool: https://www.cdc.gov/covid-data- tracker/#cases. For COVID-19 testing, individuals may visit the Bloomington drive-thru COVID-19 testing site located at the McLean County Fairgrounds, 1106 Interstate Dr., Bloomington, daily from 9am-5pm. At this site there is no direct charge to individuals regardless of their insurance status. For those Livingston County residents who test positive for COVID-19, the LCHD will reach out to them individually and all of their close contacts (anyone the confirmed case has been within 6 feet of for at least 10-15 minutes in the 48 prior to either experiencing symptoms or receiving testing) within 24 hours of receiving notification.
The health and safety of Livingston County residents remains the highest priority for Livingston County health officials. All partners and organizations involved in the COVID-19 response remain fully prepared to respond to COVID-19 cases. Public health, hospital systems, and first responders maintain highly trained infection control teams, specialized equipment, and protocols consistent with the latest guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Assume COVID-19 is in every community. Because people can be carriers of the virus prior to experiencing symptoms, everyone should be presumed to be carriers of the COVID-19 virus.
Community members are strongly encouraged to adhere to all of the required precautions necessary to protect their families and the community by slowing the spread of the COVID-19 virus, including sheltering in place, wearing a mask and staying at least 6’ from others when in public, as well as frequently washing hands and sanitizing regularly touched surfaces.
For Livingston County residents age 60 or older, homebound with no assistance and in need of essential care items, such as food, medical supplies, or personal hygiene products, please the LCHD at 815-844-7174 x230.
The LCHD will continue to work diligently to meet the everyday needs of county residents while aggressively addressing the on-going COVID-19 pandemic.