FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – SEPTEMBER 6, 2020

Contact: Micah Drummond, BSN, RN, 618.392.6241

Twelve Richland County Residents Test COVID-19 Positive

OLNEY, ILL. – Richland County TB and Public Health Office received notification of 12 new laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 positive Richland County residents in the past 48 hours. The genders and age groups are as follows:

Male: 1 each in his 30s, 40s, 50s, 70s, 2 – 60s

Female: 1 each <20, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s

All twelve individuals are isolated at home. Public health officials will not be releasing more specific details about these individuals due to privacy issues.

Richland County has had 88 positive cases to date. More cases are expected 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.

If you have had significant exposure – within six feet for longer than 15 minutes – to a known-COVID positive case, please self quarantine for 14 days from the date of last contact. This period of time allows symptoms to develop and pass without posing additional 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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