Effingham, IL -(Effingham Radio)- Coronavirus testing of individuals in Effingham and surrounding counties reveal a high percentage of negative results for the deadly infection, however, three deaths in this area account for all deaths recorded in southeastern Illinois so far.
The COVID-19 tests conducted in the last two weeks totaled 335 for Effingham, Jasper, Fayette, Cumberland, Shelby, Richland and Clay counties. There were 299 negative test results from those counties, or 89.2 percent of all individuals tested. Early last week, two coronavirus patients in Jasper and Cumberland had recovered, based on information released by health departments in those counties.
Though the number of negative test results is encouraging the disease has killed three people so far in this area. Two of the COVID-19 victims were women in their 90s in Jasper and Fayette counties. The other victim was a man in his 60s from Effingham County, who died in a hospital across the state. These are the only COVID-19 deaths reported so far in the southeastern part of the state.
About 500 of the 794 coronavirus deaths in Illinois have struck persons 70 years old or older. In addition, persons in their 40s and 50s account for a large number of the positive tests for the disease, approximately 8,500 out of all 22,025 confirmed infections statewide as reported on Tuesday. Yet the latest area person testing positive for coronavirus is a Richland County woman in her 20s. She was quarantined at home and doing well, based on information released by Clay County Health Department on Monday.
The COVID-19 patient in Richland County told health officials she was not aware of any exposure to the virus. The Richland County TB and Health Office is investigating the case to determine how she contracted the disease.
There are also 24 coronavirus tests pending in the seven area counties early last week. Any of those pending cases could result in tests revealing coronavirus infection.
The recent deaths and rising number of confirmed cases are why public health officials urge area residents to continue practicing social distancing, wearing face masks out of the home and thorough cleaning of hands and disinfecting surfaces touched many times throughout the day, ranging from bathroom or kitchen counters to doorknobs. The virus is present and spreading in this region of Illinois.
Testing, usually involving nasal swabs, has been limited to those showing symptoms of the virus or have been in contact with anyone confirmed as having COVID-19.
Effingham County had tested 36 people with 30 negative results with two remaining positive cases and five tests pending. Within a week, Jasper County has confirmed three cases of COVID-19 and tested 32 people with 27 negative results and two cases pending on testing. Jasper has recorded a death and a recovery of one virus patient.
Cumberland County has also reported a recovery for its initial coronavirus, which was the first reported in this region of the state. Now that county has another person tested positive for COVID-19. There have been 27 tested and 24 negative results and one test pending in Cumberland County, based on a Health Department report from several days ago.
Richland County had tested 91 residents with 77 negative result as of a week ago, with one positive and 13 pending cases. Fayette County has tested 70 people with 11 confirmed as positive. The death in Fayette County was a woman who lived in a congregate facility, which could account for the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in that county.
Shelby County reported its first COVID-19 cases last week, and now has four individuals with the virus. Shelby has reported 45 tests with 39 showing negative results and two tests pending.
Many of the area residents infected are quarantined at home and seeking recovery from the virus. They will remain under quarantine until the symptoms have passed and they have fully recovered.
For more information on the status of COVID-19 in this region and across Illinois check with your county’s health department Facebook page (in Richland County the appropriate agency is the Richland County TB & Health Office) and go to the Illinois Department of Public Health website, where safe practices information and daily updates on COVID-19 efforts are available.
Article written by Herb Meeker, Effingham County Board Public Information Office
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