The Knox County Health Department (KCHD) is announcing 26 new cases of Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19), between Tuesday, August 4, 2020 and Thursday, August 6, 2020, bringing the total positive cases to 291. Due to federal privacy restriction, release of any additional information is prohibited. In every effort to reduce the risk of additional transmission, local public health officials are working to identify and actively monitor individuals who were in direct contact with these individuals; they include:
· Male <10
· 3 Females in their 10s
· 2 Males in their 10s
· Female in her 20s
· 5 Males in their 20s
· 3 Males in their 30s
· 3 females in their 40s
· 4 Females in their 50s
· 2 Males in their 50s
· Male in his 70s
· Male in his 90s
Positive cases have been identified throughout Knox County; with the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) reporting 77.9% of all Knox County cases residing in Galesburg, 5.5% in Knoxville, 3.8% in Abingdon, 2.1% in Oneida, and 10.7% in the remaining areas. According to IDPH, data shown is >5 cases per zip code which is consistent with Collection, Disclosure, and Confidentiality of Health Statistics (77 Ill. Adm. Code 1005). It should be assumed that COVID-19 exposure can occur in every county in IL. Zip code is zip code of residence, which may not be location of exposure.
Public Information Officer for the Knox County Health Department, Erin Olson, reports that the Health Department has investigated outbreaks occurring in businesses and offices, sports teams, as well as large and small family gatherings. “We have been fortunate thus far,” reports Olson, “outbreaks have occurred in environments where individuals are seen by appointment, or the individuals testing positive have been able to provide a list of participants, appointment, or attendees.” The Health Department has not yet had to publicize an event or location to identify potential exposures. “The day may come when that is not the case,” remarks Olson, “at that time we would turn to the community for help.”
Olson also reports that “many times we are told by the individuals who have tested positive that, in thinking back they really didn’t feel well; but, thought it was simply allergies or didn’t really make much of it.” “What that means is, many of the positive individual’s close contacts could have been avoided if the individual would have remained as home away from others.” “We are in different times,” remarks Olson, “in this environment it is not a good idea to power through being ill; better to be safe than sorry.”
Residents are encouraged to monitor themselves daily for any of the following symptoms: fever, sore throat, cough, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, chest tightness, loss of taste/smell, extreme fatigue, abdominal discomfort, headaches, and muscle aches. This list is not all inclusive. Please contact your medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning. Curbside testing for COVID-19 is open to anyone, regardless of symptoms or other criteria, please call the Knox Community Health Center at 309-344-2225 to schedule an appointment. Call early as the Health Center may have same day appointments open.
The Knox County Health Department urges all residents, for the health and safety of our community, to continue wearing face-coverings, practice social distancing, and stay home when you are ill. Trusted sources for information on COVID-19 include; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention www.cdc.gov and Illinois Department of Public Health www.dph.illinois.gov. http://gis.ci.galesburg.il.us/COVID , is the official source of information on COVID-19 numbers for Knox County. For general questions about COVID-19, call the hotline at 1-800-889-3931, email dph.sick@illinois.gov or call your Knox County Health Department at 309-344-2224.
