PEORIA (WEEK) – The City / Peoria County Health Department has issued a health notice to the county until further notice due to an increase in COVID-19 cases.
The department is taking this action due to significant increases in cases per 100,000 residents and the percentage of visits to the emergency department for illness similar to COVID-19 by Peoria County residents.
“The way to consider this health advisory is that we are notifying and acknowledging the fact that the indicators we are seeing, if not verified, will continue to move in a direction we do not want to go,” said PCCHD Administrator Monica Hendrickson at a press conference on Friday. “… This is (a) way of giving notice to our public, and understanding that if we continue on this path, we would have to start looking for more restrictions.”
Hendrickson said that a large proportion of the cases are age 29 or younger.
“They show disproportionately milder symptoms or are asymptomatic and that makes them perfect for what we call ‘super-spreaders,'” Hendrickson said.
The search for contacts, Hendrickson said, shows that many of the new cases are related to July 4 parties and other private meetings.
“We know you care. We have seen your passion regarding social activism, now we are asking you to take that energy and expand it to COVID-19,” said Hendrickson.
When it comes to contact tracking, Hendrickson asks callers to respond in the most specific way possible.
“In talking to our contact trackers, that information is private and we would not share it with law enforcement or anyone else. But that information is imperative for us to get ahead of this, so with that, be honest and sincere. Again, you won’t get in trouble for any information you share with us, but it helps us get ahead of this virus, “said Hendrickson.
According to a statement from the health department, the following contributing factors have been identified, based on the data provided through contact tracking:
- Increased activity, including large gatherings without adequate social distancing and facial covers.
- Individuals with mild symptoms who do not take adequate precautions.
- Travel to states that have fewer protective measures.
The health department advises the following precautions to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the county:
- Facial coatings should be used properly in public spaces, as well as within 6 feet of people outside of your immediate home.
- Proper use of face covers involves covering the nose and mouth.
- Maintain a social distance of at least 6 feet between you and people outside your home.
- Large, in-person meetings should be avoided as it is difficult to maintain distance.
- Stay home if you are sick, even when you have mild symptoms and get tested.
- While waiting for your test results, stay isolated to avoid further exposure to others.
- Rethink traveling to areas that are experiencing high activity rates or areas where there are no protective measures. If you travel, take precautions and check the systems when you return.
