March 15, 2020 – The Macon County Health Department has announced they will close Monday, March 16th in order to finalize screening procedures for COVID-19.
Statement from the Macon County Health Department:
While we currently do not have cases of COVID-19 in Macon County, we want to assure the community that the leadership and staff are taking all necessary precautions and actions to ensure the health and safety of our staff and community. We are constantly working with our community partners, the Illinois Department of Public Health, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to remain vigilant, informed and prepared to implement processes and procedures to ensure safety for all.
The Macon County Health Department building will be closed to the public on Monday, March 16, 2020, in order to finalize screening and staffing implementation plans.
Following March 16th, we will be cancelling in-home visits to our clients/patients unless our clients/patients have been contacted otherwise until further notice. We will be cancelling non-essential services to prevent risk and high numbers of people in the building. We realize that it will be difficult to reschedule appointments at this time due to the uncertainty moving forward, so we will contact you as soon as possible to reschedule.
As we try to do what’s best for our staff, clients/patients and community, please be understanding and patient with our staff as they strive to serve you as safely and adequately as possible. We ask the public to please refrain from coming to the Macon County Health Department (MCHD) unless your business cannot be resolved in any other way. Anyone with visits/appointments in the MCHD that cannot be resolved electronically or via phone call is asked to follow guidelines outlined by public health authorities. Again, please look online and/or call for alternative avenues to conduct your business so you do not have to make an appearance to the MCHD.
Additionally: • Anyone who is ill, or is living with someone who is ill, should not come to the MCHD.
• All persons (staff and visitors) entering the MCHD will be asked to answer screening questions and complete screening activities.
o Facilities should actively screen and restrict visitation by those who meet the following criteria:
- Signs and symptoms of a respiratory infection, such as fever, cough, shortness of breath, or sore throat.
- In the last 14 days, has had contact with someone with a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19, or under investigation for COVID-19, or are ill with respiratory illness.
- International travel within the last 14 days to countries with sustained community transmission.
- Temperatures will be taken.
- If you feel that you do need to come to the MCHD, please do not bring along other people who don’t have business to take care of or have a need to be there. •
- Please understand that our staff will practice social distancing throughout our building as best as we can. IDPH, in coordination with the Illinois Poison Control Center, has launched the Illinois Novel Coronavirus Hotline and email address to answer questions that Local Health Departments, clinicians, and the general public may have regarding COVID-19. The hotline and email address were created to provide consistent information, answer questions, share facts about symptoms, and provide up-to-date information from the CDC. Illinoisans can dial 1-800- 889-3931 twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week or email DPH.SICK@ILLINOIS.GOV.
