PONTIAC – Twenty-nine residents of Livingston County and one inmate at Pontiac Correctional Center (PCC) have tested positive for COVID-19 (coronavirus disease). Sadly, one more resident has also died due to complications related to COVID-19. The individual was a female in her 70s. Livingston County Health Department (LCHD) officials were notified of the
new COVID-19 cases and death on January 7, 2021 in accordance with state and local public health protocol.
LCHD officials continue to work closely with the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), and have investigated and notified any individuals who may have had exposure to these individuals who tested positive for COVID-19. As of January 7, 2021, the LCHD has received 49,230 COVID-19 test results. Of that, 3,302 COVID-19 tests have been positive, 45,928 tests were negative, 3,076 of the previously reported cases have been removed from isolation, 167 cases remain active, and, sadly, 59 cases have resulted in death due to complications related to COVID-19. For details on the previously reported cases and up-to-date information for Livingston County, IL, community members can visit the LCHD’s website: www.lchd.us. Individuals who travel to hot spots in the country, those areas where higher rates of confirmed COVID-19 cases are reported, are strongly encouraged to get tested for COVID-19 5-7 days
after returning from their trip or sooner if experiencing symptoms. People can track confirmed COVID-19 cases in Illinois by county and zip code by visiting IDPH’s COVID-19 statistics site: https://www.dph.illinois.gov/covid19/covid19-statistics, and may also track confirmed cases nationwide by using CDC’s COVID-19 tracker tool: https://www.cdc.gov/covid-datatracker/#cases. Drive-thru COVID-19 testing is available weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. in the parking lot of OSF Saint James – John W. Albrecht Medical Center, located along Illinois Route 116 just west of Interstate 55. All testing is at no charge to the client. Insurance is not required to be tested; however, if you have insurance, please bring your card to your testing appointment. Persons with an appointment will receive priority service as daily testing capacity is limited. To schedule an appointment, visit the LCHD’s website: www.lchd.us. The health and safety of Livingston County residents remains the highest priority for Livingston County health officials. All partners and organizations involved in the COVID-19 response remain fully prepared to respond to COVID-19 cases. Public health, hospital systems, and first responders maintain highly trained infection control teams, specialized equipment, and protocols consistent with the latest guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Assume COVID-19 is in every community. Because people can be carriers of the virus prior to experiencing symptoms, everyone should be presumed to be carriers of the COVID-19 virus. Community members are strongly encouraged to adhere to all of the required precautions
necessary to protect their families and the community by slowing the spread of the COVID-19 virus, including wearing a mask and staying at least 6’ from others when in public, as well as frequently washing hands and sanitizing regularly touched surfaces.
For Livingston County residents age 60 or older, homebound with no assistance and in need of essential care items, such as food, medical supplies, or personal hygiene products, please the LCHD at 815-844-7174 x230. The LCHD will continue to work diligently to meet the everyday needs of county residents while aggressively addressing the on-going COVID-19 pandemic.
