On Tuesday, July 21, 2020, Whiteside County Health Department announced ten new cases of COVID-19 were identified in Whiteside County. This ties the previous highest announcement of ten cases on April 25. As we continue in Phase 4 of the Restore Illinois Plan, COVID-19 is still in our community. Stopping the spread of COVID-19 is a community effort; we must work together to be successful.
Seventy of Whiteside’s 250 cases (28%) have been identified since entering Phase 4 on Friday, June 26 (during four weeks.) Of these 70 cases, approximately 31% of new cases are in their 40s or 50s; almost 50% are 39 or younger.
Fortunately, Illinois daily cases, hospitalizations, and deaths related to COVD-19 remain low. However, people gather more frequently and with larger groups. While this virus continues to spread, it becomes more likely someone at risk will become infected.
What can I do to protect myself and my community? Coronavirus (COVID-19) is spread when a healthy person encounters respiratory secretions, after an infected person breathes, sneezes, coughs, sings, or talks. People with COVID-19 may not know they are ill or show any symptoms. So, everyone should take protective actions respiratory secretions.
Monitor yourself for signs and symptoms of COVID-1 9, including temperature checks. If you have any symptom that cannot be explained by a preexisting condition, or if you have a fever of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or higher, do not spend time with others. Stay home; contact your doctor and work supervisor.
Maintain social/physical distancing. Put distance between yourself and people outside your home. Try to keep a minimum of six feet (about two arms’ length) from others. Avoid large groups whenever possible.
Cover your mouth and nose with a cloth face cover when near anyone who is not a household member. Keep about six feet between yourself and others. The cloth face cover is not a substitute for social distancing. Face masks protect others, not you. Without a face mask, you could spread COVID-19 to others even if you do not feel sick.
Limit or space out group gatherings. Coronavirus is mainly spread through close contact. So, avoid large gatherings. Limit the number of individuals you encounter or how frequently you meet. Choose a small group of people and try to limit all in-person gatherings to only that group of friends or family. Try rotating groups. Keep a week or several days between gatherings with different people, to minimize the number of people you or your friends may expose, if someone develops symptoms.
Some individuals may be positive but never develop symptoms; others can take up to 14 days after an exposure to become symptomatic. It is important not to become socially isolated. Reach out through calls, texts, and social media. Stay connected via online gaming. Use technology to converse with family or friends, watch movies, or play board games with friends while separated.
You are only as safe as those around you. Are you at high risk for developing complications related to COVID-19? Do you routinely interact/live with individuals at high risk? Continue to limit your exposure until there is an effective treatment or vaccine.
Additional Recommendations for Protecting Yourself and Others
To help protect our communities, Illinois has released Restore Illinois Phase 4 Guidance for businesses. The CDC has released a Resuming Business Toolkit and Health and Safety Steps for Specific Occupations. Additionally, the CDC released Recommendations for Daily Life, including guidance specific for Running Essential Errands such as shopping, banking, and getting gas; Personal and Social Activities; Using Transportation; recommendations for Social Distancing; using Cloth Face Coverings; everyday steps to prevent COVID-19.