Logan County Department of Public Health to launch covid-19 database
View GIS dashboard at http://arcg.is/ebHmO

[April 15, 2020]  In response to the recent outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19), the Logan County Department of Public Health (LCDPH) has been working closely with the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), medical providers, Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital, emergency management, law enforcement, County officials and other responders to track the spread of COVID-19. LCDPH wants to reassure that all measures are being taken to protect citizens of Logan County.

Testing for COVID-19 is currently restricted to people who are evaluated by their medical provider and show signs and symptoms of having the virus. The physician must make a recommendation based on the evaluation, and to date, 8 people have been tested in Logan County with no confirmed positive cases. The symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, cough, and shortness of breath/trouble breathing. If you feel you have these symptoms or feel sick in general, LCDPH urges you to call your medical provider ahead of time before stopping at the clinic so you can be properly evaluated. In addition, avoid going to the hospital emergency room without first calling.

COVID-19 is generally spread from person-to-person and it is safe to say the virus is active in Logan County as statewide numbers are on the increase. To date, Illinois has reported 288 positive cases located in 17 counties. What is especially dangerous about COVID-19 is that people who are infected may show no signs or symptoms of illness. There is always the risk that one of these people can be sitting next to you!

To play it safe, if you must be out in public, it is critical to practice social distancing by maintaining a separation of at least 6 feet from other individuals. The most effective way to practice social distancing, however, is by avoiding public places, public transportation and to even work at home if possible. If you must work, employers should take all necessary precautions to assure employees are protected from unnecessary exposure while on the job.

To further promote social distancing, the governor has ordered all dining in at food establishments and bars be off limits while carry-out remains acceptable. Furthermore, IDPH has ordered that nursing homes are off limits to visitors as the elderly and immunocompromised are the most vulnerable populations.

Other protective measures the public can take to prevent illness and the spread of COVID-19 includes thorough and frequent handwashing using soap and water, frequent cleaning of commonly touched surfaces, avoiding touching of your eyes, nose, mouth and face with your hands, staying at home if you feel ill and covering coughs and sneezes.

To assure everyone in the community can be up to date with all the official COVID-19 statistics for Logan County, LCDPH has worked in conjunction with Logan County zoning office to provide a dashboard of information so the public can be accurately informed. The site will provide details that include the number of people tested and the number of positive cases reported in the county. To get the daily updated information, please visit http://arcg.is/ebHmO 

LCDPH urges everyone to take notice of the severity of COVID-19 and to be cautious by taking preventative measures to safeguard yourselves and the community. For more information, you can contact LCDPH at 217-735-2317 or you can visit their website at WWW.LCDPH.ORG. 

[Don Cavi, MS, LEHP
Public Health Administrator
Logan County Department of Public Health]