03-22-2020 Unified Leadership COVID-19 Press Release

March 22, 2020

Lee County Unified Executive Leadership Team COVID-19 Update:  March 22, 2020

COVID-19 Testing:  39 Negative Tests

Six More Negative Test Results Today

KSB Hospital has received a total of 39 results from COVID-19 testing and all results thus far are negative.  97 test results are still pending.  While leaders are excited about these results, they are still operating under the belief that there are unconfirmed cases in Lee County.  More test results are expected tomorrow.  KSB Hospital drive thru testing will resume tomorrow. 

Today, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) announced 296 new cases which include an infant, bringing the statewide total to 1,049.  Nine people have died in Illinois from COVID-19.  Two new counties in our region have confirmed cases, Stephenson and Jo Daviess, and Winnebago has reported one new case.  Our region now has a total of 9 confirmed cases.  More test results are expected for Lee County tomorrow. 

The Lee County Unified Executive Leadership Team has contacted the Governor’s office with questions regarding “essential” businesses.  The Governor has clarified that car sales, hair salons to include in-home hair salons are not included in the list of “essential.”  Auto maintenance and service is included in the list of “essential” services.  The team is waiting on a response related to personal trainers. 

The Governor’s Office is in the process of collecting and responding to questions regarding the state’s response to the COVID-19 outbreak. To help facilitate that process, they have created an email address, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., where citizens may send questions, comments and recommendations. The Governor’s staff will then compile all inquiries and respond with answers.

Lee County Unified Executive Leadership Team Next Steps:

Yesterday, the team released this video message in response to Governor Pritzker’s “Stay at Home” order:  https://youtu.be/Nwt9Hie3P_w

The team continues to meet via phone conference every day and is committed to bringing updated information in a timely manner. 

The team is receiving questions related to “essential” businesses and will continue to submit questions to the Governor’s office for guidance. 

The team wants to warn people of potential scams related to COVID-19.  This team is not currently aware of legitimate fundraising drives. 

Lee County Health Department:

The Lee County Health Department has released a link where people can take virtual field trips with their families over spring break.  These field trips include San Diego Zoo, Yellowstone National Park, and Mars.  Follow this link to start your trip:  https://docs.google.com/document/d/1SvIdgTx9djKO6SjyvPDsoGlkgE3iExmi3qh2KRRku_w/preview?fbclid=IwAR1oh7coxb0R6NSQlYg9rJ9UjFa8fow2wbtle5PkavglwBkCzz1mz8AuqJM&pru=AAABcQNaOrs*zmgr95BXTWdTxU3znzpIOw

City of Dixon:

Beginning tomorrow, Monday, March 23, 2020, Dixon City Hall will be closed to walk-in customers.  Residents are asked to conduct city business by telephone, email, or mail.  Residents can make water bill payments on-line, by telephone, by mail, or by placing their payment in the drop box just outside the front door at City Hall.  The city will waive late fees and no water shut offs will be conducted at this time. 

Public Works:  (815) 288-3381

Building & Zoning:  (815) 299-1403

Oakwood Cemetery:  (815) 284-2904

General Questions:  (815) 288-1485

City Hall will continue to accept deliveries of supplies from vendors and shipping companies.

Illinois “Stay at Home” Executive Order: 

Yesterday at 5:00 p.m., Governor Pritzker’s executive order to “Stay at Home” went into effect.

Essential services related to groceries, medical care, gas stations, and pharmacies remain open and will not close.  There are many other businesses that fall into the category of essential services that will remain open. 

Travel is restricted by the order for “essential” purposes only.  Interstates, highways, and other roadways will remain open.  The Illinois borders remain open.  Citizens are allowed to travel outside of their home to work, if they work for an essential business that is allowed to remain open.  Citizens can also travel to essential businesses for personal reasons, such as to get gas, groceries, pharmacies, doctor’s visits, and other purposes deemed essential and outlined in the order.

Citizens are allowed to leave their house for outdoor activity, such as taking your dog for a walk, going for a run, cycling, or hiking, provided that they follow the order related to social distancing.  The Governor’s order requires people to stay 6 feet away from each other while engaging in outdoor activities.

Citizens are allowed to leave their residence to take care of a family member, friend, or pet in another household, and to transport family members, friends, or pets as needed for medical care or to obtain essential goods.     

The Unified Executive Leadership team is asking our residents not to rush to the grocery store or gas station.  Please be responsible with your purchases, so there will be plenty of food and essentials for everyone.  Again, these essential businesses will remain open and the distribution centers who serve them will remain open. 

Now is a time for our community to pull together, stay positive, and create the positive change that will end this pandemic.  We must now find ways to take this “gift of time” to create positivity in our lives and the lives of others. 

Governor Pritzker “Stay at Home” Resources:

Governor Pritzker’s “Stay at Home” order can be found at this link:  https://www.iml.org/file.cfm?key=18394

The Governor’s office also released a FAQ document related to the “Stay at Home” order.  The order can be found at this link:  https://www.iml.org/file.cfm?key=18395

KSB Hospital:

KSB Hospital is exploring the use of retired nurses and physicians to supplement current staff.  Efforts are under way to waive certain credentialing requirements.  Retired nurses and physicians are asked to contact KSB Hospital Human Resource.

KSB drive thru testing will resume tomorrow.  To be tested, a person must have a COVID-19 test referral.

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
Last modified on May 05, 2020 - 1:41 pm