OTTAWA – The spread of COVID-19 across North Central Illinois is happening in many ways, but according to officials, not from Starved Rock crowds. Jenny Barrie, educator with the LaSalle County Health Department, says the source of many of those infected is from what is known as community spread, where those ill do not know where they caught the disease.
“This is happening all over the county, not one particular area or town.” Barrie said Saturday, “Social and family gatherings, household sharing, workplace exposures, and community spread have all contributed to the uptick in confirmed cases”
The Mayor of Ottawa, Dan Aussem, explained on social media how he and his family were recently exposed at an out of town wedding.
“Within a few days following the wedding several attendees including some of my immediate family had symptoms and/or tested positive for COVID-19” Aussem said.
“All have mild symptoms and appear to be getting better, thankfully.”
The LaSalle County Health Department has not seen an influx of cases coming from State Parks like Starved Rock and Matthiessen, but clusters of cases among families and household contacts.
