Editor’s note: This is a joint news release issued by the Northern Illinois Rockford Region Public Information Officers (NIR-PIO.) NIR-PIO serves Boone, Carroll, DeKalb, Jo Daviess, Lee, Ogle, Stephenson, Whiteside, and Winnebago Counties.
Over the last few days [in late April 2020], expanded testing has become available for COVID-19 in the Northern Illinois Rockford Region. This means that more people in our community will have access to, and be tested for, COVID-19. With this increase in testing, there is expected to be more positive cases reported in our communities.
The increase in testing is important at a time when our communities are experiencing increased infection. In the Northern Illinois Rockford region, the cases of COVID-19 have neither peaked nor plateaued. Local Health Departments (LHDs) are aware that more individuals in our community have COVID-19 than were being tested for the disease. Individuals can spread the disease even before they have symptoms. Increased testing helps public health officials to better understand the prevalence (number of cases at a given time) of COVID-19. Testing also allows us to identify individuals, who have the disease or can spread the disease, to help prevent more transmission.
The important thing to remember is that COVID-19 continues to spread in our communities. There is no vaccine to prevent, or medicine to treat, COVID-19. The best way the public can protect themselves, their family, and their community is by preventing exposure.
Help prevent exposure by
• staying home. Only go out when essential (ie., to buy groceries, pick-up medicine, etc.)
• staying apart. Keep at least six feet away from others, including while shopping. Avoid lines by taking advantage of pick-up and delivery services for groceries and other goods.
• wearing a face covering. Wear a mask when you are traveling outside of your home for essential services
• cleaning frequently. Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, and clean commonly-touched surfaces frequently.
For more information go to IDPH and CDC websites.
• http://dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/diseases-and-conditions/diseases-a-z-list/coronavirus
• https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
For general questions about COVID-19, call the IDPH hotline at 1-800-889-3931.