Three new Coronavirus cases announced locally

Back on June 14, the Illinois Department of Public Health listed six confirmed cases of the Coronavirus in St. Joseph. Yesterday, that number has increased from a total of nine last week to 12.

According to the Illinois Department of Public Health, so far 727 tests have been performed on residents from the community.

There were no other new cases identified in the other communities The Sentinel serves. The CUPHD reports there has been one case in Philo, nine in Tolono and one in Sidney. No confirmed cases have been detected in the communities of Ogden and Royal.

Out of the 522 test performed on Tolono residents, 513 have come back negative. The IDPH does not provide data for communities, which is done by zip code, with an infection rate below five cases.

As of July 1, Champaign County has logged 34,791 tests with just 890 of them testing positive. Thanks in part to a private party, described as an unofficial prom for high school students, the CUPHD is reporting a rise to 117 active cases mirroring increases nationwide as states across the nation remove restrictions meant to control the spread of the Coronavirus.

Ninety-nine residents from Champaign County have contracted the pathogen and declared recovered in the past 18 days. More than 760 people have tested positive and recovered from the viral infection since the health district providing number to the public.

There have been 12 deaths, including one by a 30 year-old resident with no underlying health condition, attributed to the viral infection since the start of the pandemic locally in March. Currently, seven individuals are under hospital care battling the disease.

COVID-19 has a wide range of symptoms. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus mainly as a cough and shortness of breath or difficulty breathing. Other symptoms include:

  • 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

    • If you or a family member has any of the following symptoms, the CDC recommends that you seek medical attention immediately. Those symptoms include trouble breathing, persistent pain or pressure in the chest, new confusion or inability to arouse or have bluish lips or face.

    People who have serious underlying medical conditions and older Americans may be at higher risk for contracting serious complications from COVID-19. The CDC has said those at high risk include:

  • Anyone 65 years of age and older
  • Older adults who live in a nursing home or long-term care facilities
  • Women who are pregnant
  • Individuals with Chronic lung disease or asthma, congestive heart failure or coronary artery disease, diabetes or neurologic conditions that weaken the ability to cough.
  • People with weakened immune systems, those who have undergone chemotherapy radiation for cancer currently or in recent past, people who have Sickle Cell Anemia, anyone with chronic kidney diseases requiring dialysis and those diagnosed with cirrhosis of the liver.
  • Also included are individuals who without a spleen or a spleen that doesn’t function correctly or people who are extremely obese with a body mass index (BMI) great than or equal to 40.

    • Free testing is available at Marketplace Mall at the State’s drive-thru COVID-19 testing site. A doctor’s referral, code, or appointment is not needed. Testing is available for anyone from 8am to 4pm, 7 days a week while daily supplies last. For more information call the COVID-19 HOTLINE at (217) 239-7877.

    Location: St Joseph, IL 61873, USA