SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — The Illinois Department of Health announced the first cases of COVID-19 in central and southern Illinois Satruday, and another was added to the list Sunday.
Two St. Clair County residents have tested positive, a woman in her 60s and a woman in her 70s. A Woodford County man in his 70s and a Cumberland County man in his 70s also tested positive, health officials announced Saturday. On Sunday, officials announced the statewide count had increased to 93 cases, including a person in the Clinton County in southwest Illinois.
The woman in Clinton County is in her 60s and has not traveled internationally. She is self-quarantined in her home, and two other people who had direct contact with her are also self-quarantined.
Illinois health officials are working with the care facility to identify all close contacts and “protect the health and safety of all residents and staff at the facility.”
“As we expected, we are beginning to identify cases of COVID-19 outside of the Chicago area,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Over the past several days, we have announced aggressive measures to reduce and slow the spread of the virus in Illinois. These are not easy decisions to make and we are not taking them lightly, but we believe these actions will help limit the spread of the virus in our communities and keep our residents safe.”
5 On Your Side wanted to know what’s the pulse of the people now that there are two known cases of Covid-19 in St. Clair County?
Saturday night early St. Patrick’s Day revelers had a variety of opinions.
“I work at a daycare, so I wash my hands when I can. I’m doing all of it and taking it seriously, but I’m not going to cancel what I’m doing,” said Alexis Carner.
“I am also washing my hands a lot, but it can’t halt us into living our lives like we must keep going on,” said Sara Yankey.
Health officials are still investigating the travel history of these individuals and any potential contact with a known COVID-19 case.
There are now 93 cases of COVID-19 in Illinois.
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