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Richland County COVID-19 Update 8/25/2020

update 082520

RICHLAND COUNTY TB & PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – AUGUST 25, 2020

Contact: Micah Drummond, BSN, RN, 618.392.6241

Six Richland County Residents Test Positive for COVID-19

OLNEY, ILL. – Richland County TB and Public Health Office has been notified of six Richland County women who tested positive for Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19). The individuals’ age groups include three in their 20s and three in their 90s. Five of the individuals are related to an outbreak in a residential-care facility. Public health officials will not be releasing more specific details about these individuals due to privacy issues.

Richland County has had 58 positive cases to date. We can expect more cases to be confirmed locally as the virus continues to spread. The number of cases can be reduced by adhering to public health guidance on social distancing, washing hands frequently, wearing face coverings, disinfecting commonly touched surfaces and staying home if you feel ill.

Public health officials are investigating these cases and will be speaking with individuals who may have had significant exposure – within six feet for longer than 15 minutes. Through this investigation, public health officials may place other individuals on home quarantine for a period of time which allows symptoms to develop and pass without posing risks to others. If you are contacted by public health officials, please respond promptly.

COVID-19 shares many symptoms with more common respiratory diseases. If you have a fever, cough or difficulty breathing, call your health care provider for further guidance. In addition, the Illinois Department of Public Health has established a 24-hour COVID-19 hotline at 1-800-889-3931.

The public is asked to follow and share trusted sources of information on COVID-19. The spread of incorrect information during disease outbreaks can lead people to take actions which may not be beneficial to their own health or the health of others. Follow CDC, IDPH and RCHO websites and social media accounts for such trusted information.

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