The McDonough County Health Department (MCHD) announces the death of three additional McDonough County residents who tested positive for coronavirus disease (COVID-19) earlier this month, bringing the total number of COVID-19 deaths in the county to 21. A death certificate that lists COVID-19 disease or SARS-CoV-2 as a cause of death, or a significant condition contributing to death, is counted as a COVID-19 death in accordance with the Illinois Department of Public Health’s (IDPH) Vital Records Criteria. The new deaths includes the following:
• 1 male in his 60s
• 2 females in their 60’s
There are several active outbreaks within McDonough County, and the county is at Warning Level for COVID-19 for exceeding the metrics related to number of new cases per 100,000 people, weekly test positivity, and tests performed. Please consider this information when you make decisions about protecting your health and the health of your loved ones and community members. Wash your hands and disinfect commonly touched
surfaces frequently, wear a mask when you are around people who do not reside in your household, get tested then stay home when you have symptoms, and cooperate with the health department to trace your close contacts to help slow the spread of the virus.
An updated list of symptoms reported among patients with COVID-19 includes mild to severe respiratory illness with fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of sense of taste and/or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, and diarrhea. If experiencing unmanageable symptoms of fever, cough, or shortness of breath, call your primary healthcare provider or McDonough District Hospital’s nurse hotline at (309) 836-1715. The hotline’s hours are 8 a.m.- 4 p.m. Monday-Friday, and 9 a.m.- 1 p.m. Saturday-Sunday.
Data is provisional and subject to change. Data source: Illinois National Electronic Disease Surveillance System
***Report Courtesy of the McDonough County Health Department***
