Hancock County COVID NEWS

 

The Hancock County Health Department and Memorial Hospital continue to see a rise in COVID cases.  Sequencing has shown that the Delta Variance is present in our county.  Furthermore, although minimal, there have been some breakthrough cases of individuals who were vaccinated and then recently got sick with the Delta Variance.  The Delta Variance is two times more contagious than the COVID-19 illness that was most apparent before.  Symptoms are the same, and they include; headache, fever, muscle aches, sneezing, sore throat, cough, loss of taste and smell.  It remains true that some people remain asymptomatic and do not even know they have COVID but can spread the illness to others.   As of August 12, Hancock County's positivity rate is 19%, and our vaccination rate is 31%.  Therefore, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health our county is considered to be an area of high transmission. 

 

If a person is having symptoms of COVID or has been exposed to someone who has COVID, it may be necessary to get tested.  In Hancock County, anyone who is having symptoms of COVID can contact 217-357-0617 to schedule an appointment.  Insurance companies may cover the fees associated with the test and office visit.  A person may obtain that information when calling the number to make an appointment.  Walk-ins for COVID testing will not be accepted, an appointment is required.  

 

It is well known that there is now an at-home test available to detect COVID. We do not recommend the at-home tests. Yet, if you or a family member decides to use an at-home COVID test, directions must be followed thoroughly and specimens collected as directed, or test results may be inconclusive/inaccurate. If the at-home COVID-19 test showed a positive result, it is recommended to contact your healthcare provider and stay in contact with him or her if you are ill.  He or she will decide if any other measures should be taken, for example, if the patient should be seen in the office and if additional or other testing should be performed. At-home tests will not be counted in the county positive case numbers, which will skew positivity rates. 

 

It continues to be important to isolate for 10 days, beginning the day after symptoms begin, to help decrease the spread of illness to others. For instance, as much as possible, stay in a specific room away from others in your place of residence and wear a mask when it is not possible to social distance in your home.  If possible, use a separate bathroom than others in your household, or if that isn't an option, disinfect/sanitize after use.  Wash hands often and use proper sneeze and cough etiquette.   People who were in close contact with the positive person 48 hours prior to the positive person's symptoms beginning are considered close contacts.  Close contacts are recommended to quarantine for 14 days.  Anyone who is fully vaccinated and is considered a close contact does not need to be quarantined.  It is, however, recommended by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to test 3 to 5 days after being exposed to a person who tests positive if a vaccinated person begins having symptoms.  Vaccinated or unvaccinated individuals who begin having COVID symptoms should follow the previously mentioned steps to decrease the spread of illness to others, as well as, contact their healthcare provider.

 

The Hancock County Health Department is collaborating with another contracting agency to do contact tracing.  The contracting agency should be contacting all positive cases.  If a positive case has not been contacted it is suggested to contact 312-777-1999 and provide them with the necessary information, including close contacts.

COVID Vaccinations are still available in our county.  To schedule either a Johnson and Johnson, Moderna, or Pfizer Vaccine you can contact any of the Memorial Medical Clinics in the county or sign up on the Memorial Hospital website at mhtlc.org.  The Hancock County Health Department is also still offering the Moderna vaccine and an appointment can be scheduled by calling 217-604-3092.

 

In closing, it is everyone's responsibility to take personal measures to help protect family, friends, neighbors, employees, customers, and visitors in our county.  Following a layered approach can be beneficial.  For instance, it is important to practice social distancing, handwashing and respiratory etiquette, staying home when you are sick, cleaning and disinfecting, vaccinating, using masks, and following isolation and quarantine guidance.   As public health and medical professionals, we will continue to provide you with information to better your health and well-being and our community's health and well-being.  It is up to you to decide how to use the information to better yourselves and the place that we call home.