Dixon Government News 04-02-2020 Unified Leadership COVID-19 Press Release

04-02-2020 Unified Leadership COVID-19 Press Release

Lee County Unified Executive Leadership Team COVID-19 Update: April 2, 2020

IDPH Reports 715 New Cases in Illinois for a total of 7,695 in 61 Illinois Counties

The State Death Toll has Risen to 157

Lee County now has 2 positive cases of COVID-19

After 306 tests conducted by KSB Hospital over the past 2 ½ weeks, Lee County has received two positive test results for COVID-19, one person in their 50’s and one in their 30’s.  94 tests are still pending.  Both positive test results are Lee County residents and both were tested at the KSB Hospital drive thru testing site.  Lee County Health Department and KSB Hospital are working together on “contact tracing.”  Contact tracing is the process of determining persons the resident had close contact with during a specific period of time.  One resident has been in isolation at home for several days.  There is no additional information on the other resident at this time.

Lee County Health Department Administrator Cathy Ferguson-Allen said, “Now is not the time for panic.  Now is the time for action.  Now is the time to follow the stay at home order, practice social distancing and follow all the recommended hand-washing and sanitation guidelines.”  President / CEO Dave Schreiner of KSB Hospital said the number of people being tested over the past week is way down.  Schreiner said, “The only way to get a complete picture of how widespread COVID-19 is in our community is through testing.  If a person is experiencing symptoms, we strongly encourage them to get appropriate testing with the guidance of a physician.”  The symptoms include a new fever, cough, or shortness of breath. Persons who have been in or had contact with a person returning from a region with high numbers of COVID-19 cases, may also be tested.

If you are experiencing symptoms, DO NOT go to the emergency room or your doctor’s office.  Call the KSB Coronavirus Hotline at 815-285-7777 or go to ksbhospital.com and click on “KSB Care Anywhere.”  For complete details see the information at the bottom of this press release.

As Chicago prepares for New York-like caseloads, KSB Hospital is implementing more emergency plans.  57 beds from a facility in Amboy are being moved to Commerce Towners in Dixon and will be utilized for med surge overflow.  KSB would like to thank Raynor President Ray Neisewander, III for donating a semi to transport the beds to Dixon.  Amboy Fire Protection District will also be assisting in moving the beds. 

Feeding the Hungry:

“Feeding The Hungry” has moved from The Living Well Church to the KSB Emergency Department Parking Lot on Tuesday and Thursday’s from 5:00 – 6:00 PM.  St. Anne Church hosts the program on Wednesday evenings from 6:00 – 7:00.  Meals are available to anyone in need with no questions asked.

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.

For general questions about COVID-19, call the IDPH hotline at 1-800-889-3931 or 211.

Authority:
Lee County Health Department
KSB Hospital
City of Dixon
Lee County Emergency Management
Lee County Sheriff