Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)

 

The 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is a new virus that causes respiratory illness in people and can spread person-to-person. The virus was first identified in Wuhan, China.

What are the Symptoms of COVID-19?

People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported – ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. People with these symptoms may have COVID-19:

• 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. The CDC will continue to update this list as we learn more about COVID-19.

How does it spread?

Although the virus that causes COVID-19 probably emerged from an animal source, it is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person via respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. People are thought to be most contagious when they are most symptomatic (the sickest).

How is it treated?

There is no specific medicine to treat COVID-19 infection at this time, though studies are underway. People sick with COVID-19 should receive supportive care from a health care professional. Supportive care means care to help relieve symptoms; for example, medicine to bring down fevers, or oxygen if a patient’s oxygen level is low.

How is COVID-19 diagnosed?

Diagnosis occurs through laboratory testing of respiratory specimens and serum (blood). Some coronavirus strains cause the common cold and patients tested by their health care provider may test positive for these types. At this time, the COVID-19 strain can only be detected at a public health laboratory.

Testing for COVID-19 – LaSalle County Health Department

A drive-thru COVID-19 Community Based Testing Site (CBTS) will be held on a weekly basis at the LaSalle County Emergency Management Agency Building (EMA) at 711 E Etna Rd, Ottawa. The site will be open from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. and will run by appointment only.

This testing site is open to all regardless of symptoms, no Doctor’s order is required. Health insurance will be billed. Individuals are required to schedule an appointment by calling 815-433-3366 prior to arriving on site. Instructions including wearing a mask, bringing a Photo ID, and directions for how to drive into the site will be provided at that time.

Authorization for Release of Protected Health Information

Testing for COVID-19 – IDPH COVID-19 TESTING GUIDANCE

The State of Illinois is opening its community-based testing sites to anyone to get tested, regardless of symptoms or other criteria.  As we move through the Restore Illinois plan, and into a full reopening of the state, testing will be crucial to identifying new cases and taking immediate action to prevent additional spread.  No appointment, doctor referral, or insurance is needed at state operated drive-thru sites and testing is available at no cost to the individual.

State of Illinois Community-Based Testing Sites.  Open to all regardless of symptoms.

Arlington Racetrack 2000 W Euclid Ave Arlington Heights 8:00am – 4:00pm while daily supplies last	Auburn Gresham Foreman Mills Shopping Center 122 W. 79th Street Chicago 8:00am – 4:00pm while daily supplies last	Aurora 1650 Premium Outlet Blvd Aurora 8:00am – 4:00pm while daily supplies last
*Bloomington 1106 Interstate Drive Bloomington 9:00am – 5:00pm while daily supplies last	Champaign Market Place Shopping Ctr 2000 N. Neil Street Champaign 8:00am – 4:00pm while daily supplies last	*East St. Louis Jackie Joyner Kersee Ctr. Argonne Drive East St Louis 8:00am – 4:00pm while daily supplies last
Harwood Heights 6959 W. Forest Preserve Rd. Chicago 9:00am – 3:00pm while daily supplies last	*Peoria Peoria Civic Center Fulton Street Parking Lot Peoria 8:00am – 4:00pm while daily supplies last	Rockford 1601 Parkview Ave Rockford 8:00am – 4:00pm while daily supplies last
South Holland South Suburban College 15800 State St South Holland 8:00am – 4:00pm while daily supplies last	Waukegan 102 W. Water Street Waukegan 8:00am – 4:00pm while daily supplies last

*Walk up testing is available at Bloomington, East St. Louis, and Peoria.
Other public and private sites are not run by the State of Illinois and may have differing testing requirements. The information of these sites is provided for availability and accessibility. A list of public and private testing sites can be found on the IDPH website at http://www.dph.illinois.gov/testing.

When seeking out a COVID-19 test:

Keep in mind that if you test negative for COVID-19, you are probably not infected at this time. However, testing negative at the time of the test does not ensure that you will not come into contact with the virus and become infected after the test is administered. Additionally, it can take up to 14 days after exposure for illness to occur. If you have been exposed, you might test positive at a later time. Continue to practice all protective measures. As long as the virus that causes COVID-19 is spreading in your community, continue to follow guidance from your health care provider and your state and local health departments.

If you test positive for COVID-19, keep your entire household home. Most cases can be cared for at home. Stay in touch with your doctor and seek medical attention if you develop ANY of the following:

• Extreme difficulty breathing
• Bluish lips or face
• Constant pain or pressure in the chest
• Severe constant dizziness or lightheadedness
• Difficult to wake up
• Slurred speech (new or worsening)
• New seizures or seizures that won’t stop

This list is not all-inclusive. Consult your medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning.

For medical emergencies, call 911 and notify the dispatch personnel that you may have COVID-19.

While waiting for results:

If you are ill, stay in touch with your doctor. Keep in mind your symptoms may be due to another condition that requires prompt evaluation and treatment. Stay at home except for medical appointments. Call ahead before visiting your doctor. As much as possible, stay in a specific room and away from other people and pets. If you must be around other people or animals, wear a face cloth over your nose and mouth.

Whether or not you are ill, wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Avoid close contact with people who are sick. Put distance between yourself and others when possible. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands. Clean all “high-touch” surfaces every day, which include counters, tabletops, doorknobs, bathroom fixtures, toilets, phones, keyboards, tablets, and bedside tables. Cover coughs and sneezes. Wear a face cloth over your nose and mouth in public settings and where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain. These measures should continue to be taken even if a negative result is reported for your COVID-19 test

How can I protect myself and my family?

As with any respiratory virus, you can protect yourself and others by taking everyday common sense actions:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
  • Handwashing: Clean Hands Save Lives.
  • CDC Video – What You Need to Know About Handwashing.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
• Social Distancing – Keep Your Distance to Slow the Spread
• What Does Quarantine and Isolation Mean?

Do I need to wear a mask?

Effective May 1, 2020 Governor Pritzker has indicated through Executive Order that Illinoisans wear face coverings when in public settings to help slow the spread of Covid-19

Any individual who is over age two and able to medically tolerate a face-covering (a mask or cloth face-covering) shall be required to cover their nose and mouth with a face-covering when in a public place and unable to maintain a six-foot social distance.  Face-coverings are required in public indoor spaces such as stores.

• • Use of Cloth Face Coverings to Help Slow the Spread of COVID-19
  • Cloth Face Coverings:Questions and Answers
  • FAQ for Businesses Concerning Use of Face-Coverings During COVID-19
  • CDC Video – How to Make Your Own Face Covering
  • Illinois Department of Public Health Guidance on the Use of Masks by the General Public
  • IDPH Face Covering Do’s and Don’ts

  

Click here for Face Mask Poster

 

 

Travel Considerations?

The CDC indicates that COVID-19 cases and deaths have been reported in all 50 states, and the situation is constantly changing. Because travel increases your chances of getting infected and spreading COVID-19, staying home is the best way to protect yourself and others from getting sick.

If you are thinking about traveling away from your local community, ask:

• Is COVID-19 spreading where you’re going? You can get infected while traveling.
• Is COVID-19 spreading in your community? Even if you don’t have symptoms, you can spread COVID-19 to others while traveling.
• Will you or those you are traveling with be within 6 feet of others during or after your trip? 
• Are you or those you are traveling with more likely to get very ill from COVID-19? 
• Do you live with someone who is more likely to get very ill from COVID-19? If you get infected while traveling you can spread COVID-19 to loved ones when you return, even if you don’t have symptoms.
• Does the state or local government where you live or at your destination require you to stay home for 14 days after traveling? Some state and local governments may require people who have recently traveled to stay home for 14 days.
• If you get sick with COVID-19, will you have to miss work or school? .

Do not travel if you are sick, or if you have been around someone with COVID-19 in the past 14 days. Do not travel with someone who is sick.

If You Travel Protect yourself and others during your trip:

• Clean your hands often. Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after you have been in a public place, after touching surfaces frequently touched by others, after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing, and before touching your face or eating. If soap and water are not available, bring and use hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub your hands together until they feel dry.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth.
• Avoid close contact with others. Keep 6 feet of physical distance from others.
• Wear a cloth face covering in public.
• Cover coughs and sneezes.
• Pick up food at drive-throughs, curbside restaurant service, or stores.

Travel increases your chances of getting and spreading COVID-19. It is unknown if one type of travel is safer than others; however, airports, bus stations, train stations, and rest stops are all places travelers can be exposed to the virus in the air and on surfaces. These are also places where it can be hard to social distance (keep 6 feet apart from other people).

Consider the following risks for getting or spreading COVID-19, depending on how you travel:

• Air travel: Air travel requires spending time in security lines and airport terminals, which can bring you in close contact with other people and frequently touched surfaces. Most viruses and other germs do not spread easily on flights because of how air circulates and is filtered on airplanes. However, social distancing is difficult on crowded flights, and you may have to sit near others (within 6 feet), sometimes for hours. This may increase your risk for exposure to the virus that causes COVID-19.
• Bus or train travel: Traveling on buses and trains for any length of time can involve sitting or standing within 6 feet of others.
• Car travel: Making stops along the way for gas, food, or bathroom breaks can put you and your traveling companions in close contact with other people and surfaces.
• RV travel: You may have to stop less often for food or bathroom breaks, but RV travel typically means staying at RV parks overnight and getting gas and supplies at other public places. These stops may put you and those with you in the RV in close contact with others.

Anticipate Travel Needs

• Bring enough of your medicine to last you for the entire trip.
• Pack enough alcohol-based hand sanitizer (at least 60% alcohol) and keep it within easy to reach.
• Bring a cloth face covering to wear in public places.
• Prepare food and water for your trip. Pack non-perishable food in case restaurants and stores are closed.
• If you are considering cleaning your travel lodgings, see CDC’s guidance on how to clean and disinfect.

State and Local Travel Restrictions

Follow state and local travel restrictions. For up-to-date information and travel guidance, check the state or local health department where you are, along your route, and at your planned destination. While you are traveling, it is possible a state or local government may put into place travel restrictions, such as stay-at-home or shelter-in-place orders, mandated quarantines upon arrival, or even state border closures. Plan to keep checking for updates as you travel.

The latest travel updates are available on CDC’s COVID-19 web page for travelers.

Print Resources:

• What you need to know about COVID-19 (English, Spanish, Simplified Chinese)
• What to do if you are sick with COVID-19 (English, Spanish, Simplified Chinese)
• Stop the Spread of Germs Poster (English, Spanish, Simplified Chinese)
• Symptoms of Coronavirus Disease 2019 Poster (English, Spanish, Simplified Chinese)

Information for Specific Groups:

• • • • High Risk Individuals
        • Medically Fragile Child
      • Individual and Households
        • Cleaning and Disinfecting Your Home
        • Households Living in Close Quarters – How to Protect Those That Are Most Vulnerable
      • If You Are Sick with COVID-19
        • If You are Sick or Caring for Someone Who is Sick
        • 10 Things You Can Do To Manage Your COVID-19 Symptoms At Home
        • When You Can be Around Others After You Had or Likely Had COVID-19
      • Guidance for Parents and Guardians
        • Talking with Children about COVID-19
        • Keeping Children Healthy While School’s Out
        • For Parents: Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C) associated with COVID-19
      • Pregnant Women and Children
        • CDC Guidelines – Pregnant Women and Children
        • IDPH Recommended Guidance for the Care of Pregnant Women and Newborns During the COVID-19 Pandemic
        • Care for Breastfeeding Women – Interim Guidance on Breastfeeding and Breast Milk Feeds in the Context of COVID-19
      • Travelers

RESPONSE PARTNERS
The LaSalle County Health Department is working closely with our partner agencies to monitor for and prepare for COVID-19 to ensure the health and safety of our community. This page contains resources for our partners agencies in preparing, coordinating, and responding to the spread of COVID-19.

Essential Critical Infrastructure Workers

• • • • IDPH Interim Guidance for Crisis Management for Essential Critical Infrastructure Workers
      • Interim Guidance for Implementing Safety Practices for Critical Infrastructure Workers Who May Have Had Exposure to a Person with Suspected or Confirmed COVID-19

Guidance for Healthcare Providers, click here

Guidance for First Responders

• • • • IDPH and CDC Guidance for Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Systems and 911 Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) for COVID-19
      • Recommended Guidance for Preventing Spread of COVID-19 in High-risk Populations During Transport
      • IDPH – What Firefighters and EMS Providers Need to Know about COVID-19

Guidance for Law Enforcement

• • • • What Law Enforcement Personnel Need to Know about Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
      • CDC FAQs for Law Enforcement Agencies and Personnel

Guidance for Correctional and Detention Facilities

• • • • Interim Guidance on Management of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Correctional and Detention Facilities
      • Cleaning and Disinfecting Recommendations

Guidance for Homeless Shelters

• • • • IDPH Guidance for Homeless Shelters
      • Resources to Support People Experiencing Homelessness
      • CDC Interim Guidance for Homeless Service Providers to Plan and Respond to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)

Guidance for Funeral Homes

• • • • Recommended Guidance for Preventing Spread of COVID-19 in Funeral Homes
      • CDC Funeral Guidance for Individuals and Families

Blood Drive Guidance

• • • • Updated Recommended Guidance for Preventing Spread of COVID-19 for Blood and Plasma Collection

Guidance for the Oral Health Community

• • • • Additional Guidance for Preventing Spread of COVID-19 for the Oral Health Community and Dental Practices Vol.3 (subject to change) – Mandated Closure to Routine Dental Care
      • Guidance for Preventing Spread of COVID-19 for the Oral Health Community and Dental Practices Vol.4 (subject to change) – Actions for When Provider or Staff Have Exposure To Or Are COVID-19 Positive
      • Guidance for Preventing Spread of COVID-19 for the Oral Health Community and Dental Practices Vol.5 (subject to change) – Illinois Community-level Plan of Action to Meet Urgent Dental Care Needs
      • IDPH Revised Interim Guidance: Provision of Routine Oral and Dental Care: May 21, 2020

Guidance for Communities

• • • • CDC COVID-19 Considerations for Animal Activities at Fairs, Shows, and Other Events
      • CDC What Bank Employees Need to Know about COVID-19
      • Mitigation Strategies for Communities with Local COVID-19 Transmission
      • Reopening Guidance for Cleaning and Disinfecting Public Spaces, Workplaces, Businesses, Schools, and Homes
      • CDC Gatherings and Community Events Guidance and Considerations
      • Get Your Mass Gathering or Large Community Events Ready
      • Guidance for Parks and Recreational Facilities
        • CDC Resources for Parks and Recreational Facilities
        • CDC Guidance for Administrators in Parks and Recreational Facilities
        • CDC Visiting Parks and Recreational Facilities – Protect Yourself and Others from COVID-19
      • Guidance for State Polling Locations
        • Guidance for State Polling Locations

Guidance for Faith-Based

• • • • CDC Community and Faith-Based Organization Guidance and Considerations
      • Guidance for Faith-Based
      • IDPH COVID-19 Guidance for Places of Worship and Providers of Religious Services

Guidance for Businesses

• • • • LaSalle County Health Department’s Emergency Rules Memo
      • Emergency Amendment to 690
      • 20 ICLS 2305/Department of Public Health Act
      • Guidance for Staffing Agencies and Temporary Workers During Phase 4 of the Restore Illinois Plan
      • Guidance for Employers and Employees on Workers’ Rights and Safety
      • COVID-19 Operational Guidance for Food and Meat Processing Facilities and Workplaces with Assembly Lines
      • Phase 3 Business Toolkit For All
      • CDC Resuming Business Toolkit
      • Tips and strategies for reopening businesses in Phase 3 of Restore Illinois
      • Restore Illinois – Phase 3 Swimming Facility Guidelines
      • IDPH Recommended Guidance for Preventing the Spread of COVID-19 in Large Business
      • COVID-19 Migrant Farm Worker Guidance-English
      • COVID-19 Migrant Farm Worker Guidance-Spanish
      • Reopening Guidance for Cleaning and Disinfecting Public Spaces, Workplaces, Businesses, Schools, and Homes
      • IDPH and Office of the Illinois Attorney General Guidance Regarding Workplace Safety During the COVID-19 Emergency (April 30, 2020)
      • CDC Resources for Business and Employers
      • Health and Safety Steps for Specific Occupations
      • IDPH Business and Organization Guidance
      • CDC COVID-19 Employer Information for Office Buildings
      • Cleaning and Disinfection Recommendations
        • Cleaning and Disinfecting Your Facility
        • Cleaning and Disinfection for Community Facilities Your Facility

Guidance for Preventing Spread of COVID-19 in Hotels

• • • • Guidance for Hotels

Grocery Store Guidance

• • • • Recommended Guidance for Preventing Spread of COVID-19 in Grocery Stores
      • Guidance for Grocery Shopping

Food Service Guidelines for COVID-19

• • • • COVID-19 Operational Guidance for Food and Meat Processing Facilities and Workplaces with Assembly Lines
      • Restaurant and Bars – Outdoor Dining Guidelines for Phase 3 of Restore Illinois
      • Phase 3 Business Toolkit – Restaurants and Bars
      • Food Service Guidleines for COVID-19
      • Enforcement of CovE05 (Executive Order No.5)
      • COVID-19 Closure-Opening Guidance for Food Establishments
      • IDPH COVID-10 Interim Guidance for Food Service
      • CDC Considerations for Restaurants and Bars
      • National Restaurant Association’s Guidance for Reopening Retail Food Establishments

Guidance for Children/Daycare Centers

• • • • Apply for emergency day care license under emergency rules that DCFS posted on Friday March 20, 2020
      • Reopening Guidance for Cleaning and Disinfecting Public Spaces, Workplaces, Businesses, Schools, and Homes
      • CDC Child Care, Schools, and Youth Programs Guidance and Considerations
      • Additional resources related to providing emergency day care services
      • Interim Recommended Guidance for Preventing Spread of COVID-19 in Childcare/Daycare Centers
      • Childcare for Essential Workers during COVID-19 Pandemic
      • Guidance for Child Care Programs that Remain Open

Guidance for Youth Sports

• • • • Toolkit for Youth Sports
      • Restore Illinois – Youth and Adult Sport Guidelines Phase 4

Guidance for Schools

• • • • CDC School Guidance
        • CDC-Preparing for a Safe Return to School – July 23, 2020
        • CDC Interim Guidance for Administrators of US Childcare Programs and K-12 Schools
        • CDC Reopening Guidance for Cleaning and Disinfecting Public Spaces, Workplaces, Businesses, Schools, and Homes
        • CDC Child Care, Schools, and Youth Programs Guidance and Considerations
        • CDC Checklist for Teachers, Parents, and Administrators
        • CDC FAQs for K-12 Schools and Childcare Program Administrators Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19)
        • CDC Environmental Cleaning and Disinfection Recommendations
        • CDC Colleges, Universities, and Higher Learning
    • • IDPH and ISBE School Guidance
        • COVID-19 Exclusion Guidance – Decision Tree for Symptomatic Individuals in Pre-K, K-12 Schools, and Day Care Programs September 10, 2020
        • COVID-19 Exclusion Guidance – Decision Tree for Symptomatic Individuals in Pre-K, K-12 Schools, and Day Care Programs September 10, 2020 (Spanish Version)
        • Public Health Interim Guidance for Pre-K-12 Schools and Day Care Programs for Addressing COVID-19
        • LaSalle County Health Department School Point of Contact (POC) Information Form
        • IDPH and ISBE Return to School Tabletop Exercise July 24, 2020
        • Part 3 Transition Guidance: Starting the 2020-21 School Year FAQ Last updated: September 9, 2020
        • Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) Guidance – Starting the 2020-2021 School Year (June 23, 2020)
        • Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) Letter on the Appropriate Use of Face Shields
        • ISBE – Updated Summer School and Other Allowable Activities
        • Illinois Department of Public Health and Illinois State Board of Education Joint Guidance Regarding COVID-19 and School Graduation Ceremonies
        • IDPH School Guidance
        • IDPH COVID-19 Checklist (K-12 Administrators)
    • • Educational Materials
        • 

        LaSalle County Health Department Definitions of Confirmed Case, Close Contact, and Contact of a Contact

        • Stop the Spread Poster
        • Wash Your Hands Poster
        • Germs Are All Around You Poster
        • Handwashing is Your Superpower! Poster
        • Cover Cough and Sneezes Poster
        • Did You Wash Your Hands? Poster
        • Don’t Let Your Germs Go On a Ride Poster
        • Keep Space Between You and Others Poster
        • Class Rules Poster
        • Don’t Feel Well? Stay Home When You Are Sick Poster

Guidance for Mental Health and Coping

• • • • CDC – Mental Health and Coping During COVID-19
      • CDC – Taking Care of Your Emotional Health
      • CDC – Employees: How to Cope with Job Stress and Build Resilience During the COVID-19 Pandemic
      • CDC – What Workers and Employers Can Do to Manage Workplace Fatigue during COVID-19

Guidance for Pets and Animals

• • • • CDC – Pets and Other Animals
      • CDC Interim Infection Prevention and Control Guidance for Veterinary Clinics During the COVID-19 Response

Additional Resources

• • • • North Central Behavioral Health Systems COVID-19 Resources
      • The Perfectly Flawed Foundation – Remote Resources and Support Available During Stay-At-Home Orders
      • Online Resources from the University of Illinois Extension

 

IDPH COVID-19 Hotline and Daily Update Information

The Illinois Department of Public Health has established a COVID-19 hotline and email address to answer questions from the public:

• • • 1(800) 889-3931
    • DPH.SICK@ILLINOIS.GOV

To receive daily updates about COVID-19 from the Illinois Department of Public Health, all Illinoisans with a mobile phone can opt-in.

To opt-in:

• • • Text the word COVID to 312-500-3836
    • Para recibir mensajes en español con consejos de prevención, envíe el texto COVID ESP al 312-500-3836
    • You will receive a welcome message from IDPH and a second text letting you know you will receive updates about COVID-19 in Illinois from the code 36363. You will also receive a link to the IDPH Frequently Ask Questions page.
    • You will receive COVID-19 texting twice a day, once in the morning, and once in the evening.

You can opt-out of receiving messages at any time by texting STOP to reply. 

Terms: https://riproad.com/idph/terms/

Call 4 Calm is a free emotional support text line where you can speak with a mental health professional.

Text “TALK” to 552020 or “HABLAR” for service in Spanish to the same number 552020.

For additional information, go to the IDPH and CDC webpages on 2019 novel coronavirus:

• • • Go to the IDPH website
    • Go to the CDC website