April 11, 2020 – The Macon County Joint Crisis Communications Team held a press conference today to announce 15 confirmed cases of COVID-19 at Fair Havens Senior living. Of the 15 cases, 10 are of residents and 5 are staff.
The MCHD does not regularly identify the names of long-term care facilities with outbreaks of communicable diseases. However, in partnership with Fair Havens Senior Living, the MCHD is identifying this facility to assist with communications to the community and family members of residents. When cases are confirmed at any long-term care facility, IDPH guidance directs the long-term facility of steps to be taken with residents and the facility. IDPH guidance also directs the long-term facility to communicate this information with the physician, local health department, regulatory agency, families, staff and residents. The MCHD has continued to be in ongoing communication with long-term care facilities.
Overall:
• Tests Performed in Macon County: 152
• Confirmed Cases in Macon County Residents: 25
• Pending Tests: 2
• Deaths of Macon County Residents with COVID-19: 1
• Age Ranges of Confirmed Cases:
o One case in 20s
o Five cases in 30s
o Two case in 40s
o Four cases in 50s
o Three cases in 60s
o Three case in 70s
o Four cases in 80s
o Three cases in 90s
Upon notification of these positive cases, the Macon County Health Department (MCHD) immediately started contact tracing following Illinois Department of Public Health protocol and guidance. Contacts have been and are being notified and provided with appropriate direction. All confirmed cases are following isolation guidelines. Those considered to be contacts of the confirmed cases have been and are being notified and instructed to follow direction to prevent the spread of illness.
As a reminder, testing is not widely available to the general public, it is imperative that community members, whether feeling ill or well, implement social distancing best practices to limit the spread and contraction of COVID-19. This means staying home and away from as many people as possible as often as possible.
If you experience symptoms such as fever, cough, and shortness of breath, do not present at a hospital emergency room or doctor’s office immediately unless it is a true emergency. Please first call your primary care physician. If you do not have a primary care physician in place at this time, you may call DMH Medical Group at (217) 876-2856, Crossing Healthcare at (217) 877-9117 or SIU at (217) 872-3800. HSHS Medical Group Family Medicine Forsyth is operating a regional respiratory hub. Their hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, and Saturday 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Please call your primary care provider if you have any questions. Memorial Health System is operating a respiratory screening clinic at its DMH Express Care East location to screen people for the COVID-19 virus. The clinic at 4455 U.S. Route 36 East will operate seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. People coming to the respiratory clinic should call (217) 876-1200 before they arrive. Patients and visitors to healthcare facilities should be prepared to be screened before entering.
The Macon County Joint Crisis Communication team is comprised of City and County leaders as well as representatives from DMH and HSHS St. Mary’s Hospital, the Macon County Health Department, Crossing Healthcare, SIUE Family Medicine, Heritage Behavioral Health and IEMA.
** Photo Credit***Jeff Smudde – Herald and Review
