Information from the Illinois Department of Public Health

COVID-19 (novel Coronavirus outbreak)

What is going on?

The novel (new) coronavirus has continued as a serious global pandemic.  COVID-19 is present and ongoing in most Illinois communities.  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, maintaining at least a 6 feet social distance from individuals, and wearing a face covering in public are key ways to protecting yourself.

Does the CDC recommend wearing a facemask?

Phase 4, revitalization, of the Restore Illinois plan requires Illinoisans 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 August 2nd, 2020 there are 181,943 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Illinois, and 7,517 deaths linked to COVID-19 in Illinois.  COVID-19 tests have been administered to 2,778,322 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?

COVID-19 symptoms can include the below.  Symptoms may develop 2-14 days after exposure and can range from mild to severe.

• Fever or chills
• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Fatigue
• Muscle or body aches
• Headache
• New loss of taste or smell
• Sore throat
• Congestion or runny nose
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea

This list does not include all possible symptoms. CDC will continue to update this list as we learn more about COVID-19.  Call your doctor’s office or emergency room ahead of time 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, and wear a face covering when out in public.

For additional information related to COVID-19, visit www.dph.illinois.gov or call the state’s COVID-19 hotline at any time at 800-889-3931.

For County Level COVID-19 Risk Metrics, visit www.dph.illinois.gov/countymetrics

If you were tested at the QCCA Expo Center test site, you can get results by:

Total number of positive COVID-19 cases reported to Rock Island County Health Department:    1,637**    Deaths:  32

**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 8-3-20

COVID-19 Media Briefing 8-2-20

COVID-19 Media Briefing 8-1-20

COVID-19 Media Briefing 7-31-20

COVID-19 Media Briefing 7-30-20

COVID-19 Media Briefing 7-29-20

COVID-19 Media Briefing 7-28-20

COVID-19 Media Briefing 7-27-20

COVID-19 Media Briefing 7-26-20

COVID-19 Media Briefing 7-25-20

COVID-19 Media Briefing 7-24-20

COVID-19 Media Briefing 7-23-20

What is COVID-19? Guidance for Work Crews (Migrant Farm Workers -English)

Que es COVID-19? Guidance for Work Crews (Migrant Farm Workers – Spanish)

Quad City Behavioral Health Coalition COVID-19 Service List

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.

County Level COVID-19 Risk Metrics

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.