The McDonough County Health Department (MCHD) is reporting an outbreak at Prairie City Rehabilitation Center in Prairie City, IL. There are currently three confirmed cases related to this outbreak with other tests pending. The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) defines an outbreak at a residential congregate setting as one or more laboratory confirmed positive cases along with others that are ill with symptoms. Public health officials are working to identify and actively monitor individuals who were in contact with the positive cases in an effort to reduce the risk of additional transmission. Due to Federal privacy restrictions, the release of any additional information on these cases is prohibited.
Individuals who may have been exposed to a positive COVID-19 individual should get tested 3-5 days after exposure and monitor for symptoms. Individuals who have not been vaccinated against COVID-19 and have been exposed to a positive COVID-19 individual should remain in quarantine for 14 days after exposure in order to reduce transmission of COVID-19. COVID-19 symptoms include mild to severe respiratory illness with a 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, vomiting, and diarrhea. If experiencing unmanageable symptoms of fever, cough, or shortness of breath, call your primary healthcare provider.
Prairie City Rehabilitation Center staff and administration are working with the McDonough County Health Department to manage the outbreak. Guidance from IDPH and MCHD includes but is not limited to testing residents and staff for COVID-19, increased handwashing and following IDPH and ISBE issued COVID-19 mitigation guidance. Additionally, the McDonough County Health Department urges all residents who are eligible, to be vaccinated against COVID-19.
Data is provisional and subject to change. Data source: Illinois National Electronic Disease Surveillance System.
***Report Courtesy of the McDonough County Health Department***
