Information from the Illinois Department of Public Health
COVID-19 (novel Coronavirus outbreak)
What is going on?
Chinese authorities identified a novel (new) coronavirus (COVID-19) associated with a pneumonia outbreak in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China on January 7th, 2020. The World Health Organization became aware prior to several cases of pneumonia on Dec 31st 2019 that did not match other viruses. There is currently no vaccine to protect against the COVID-19, however, washing hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, avoiding touching eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands, avoiding close contact with sick individuals, and maintaining at least a 6 feet social distance from individuals are key ways to protecting yourself.
Does the CDC recommend wearing a facemask?
Governor’s Pritzker’s Executive Order through May 30, 2020, requires Illinoians to wear face coverings when in public. This includes grocery stores, pharmacies and other retail locations. CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) does recommend that people wear a cloth face covering when out in public places such as the grocery store or pharmacy. Click the link on how to make your own face covering: The Rock Island County Health Department does not provide personal protective equipment (ppe) to the general public or private doctor’s offices.
How is this affecting Illinois?
As of May 20, 2020 there are 102,686 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Illinois, and 4,607 deaths linked to COVID-19 in Illinois. COVID-19 tests have been administered to 672,020 individuals in the state of Illinois. COVID-19 illness can include mild to severe respiratory illness and symptoms of fever, cough, and shortness of breath which may appear 2-14 days after exposure.
When should I seek care?
If within the past 2 weeks you have been in China, South Korea, Iran, Japan, Europe, or been exposed to someone with COVID-19, call ahead to your doctor to inform them of the situation and allow the doctor’s office to take steps to prepare and become informed of your symptoms. If you were in these countries and are experiencing illness within 14 days after you left, seek medical care immediately by calling ahead to make arrangements with your doctor’s office or emergency room to allow time for them to make arrangements to prevent the spread of illness. Avoid contact with others, do not travel, sneeze into a tissue or sleeve, not into your hands, wear a mask and wash hands frequently for at least 20 seconds, use an alcohol- based sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
Total number of positive COVID-19 cases reported to Rock Island County Health Department: 675** Deaths: 25
**Numbers will be reported daily.
The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) in coordination with the Illinois Poison Control Center have launched the Illinois COVID-19 Hotline and email address to answer questions clinicians and the general public may have regarding COVID-19.
Illinoisans can dial 1-800-889-3931 twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week or email DPH.SICK@ILLINOIS.GOV to get their questions answered.
COVID-19 Media Briefing 5-21-20
COVID-19 Media Briefing 5-20-20
COVID-19 Media Briefing 5-19-20
COVID-19 Media Briefing 5-18-20
COVID-19 Media Briefing 5-17-20
COVID-19 Media Briefing 5-16-20
COVID-19 Media Briefing 5-15-20
COVID-19 Media Briefing 5-14-20
COVID-19 Media Briefing 5-13-20
COVID-19 Media Briefing 5-12-20
COVID-19 Media Briefing 5-11-20
COVID-19 Media Briefing 5-10-20
COVID-19 Media Briefing 5-9-20
COVID-19 Media Briefing 5-8-20
COVID-19 Media Briefing 5-7-20
COVID-19 Media Briefing 5-6-20
COVID-19 Media Briefing 5-5-20
COVID-19 Media Briefing 5-4-20
COVID-19 Media Briefing 5-3-20
COVID-19 Media Briefing 5-2-20
COVID-19 Media Briefing 5-1-20
COVID-19 Media Briefing 4-30-20
COVID-19 Media Briefing 4-29-20 [Tyson]
ROCK ISLAND COUNTY COVID-19 UPDATE 5-4-20
COVID-19 FAQs COVID-19 media Briefing 3-17-20
IDPH COVID-19 webpage CDC COVID-19 webpage
Governor Pritzker’s Proclamation for bars and restaurants.
Other important news from the WIC office: WIC is not affected by recent Federal public benefit policy. Click here for more information: WICpublicchargeFAQ013120
About the Rock Island County Health Department
The mission of the Rock Island County Health Department is to prevent disease, promote wellness, and protect public health. To learn more visit or call us at 309-793-1955.
