JEFFERSON COUNTY, IL — The Health Department has announced the death of a second Jefferson County resident due to COVID-19. The man, in his 70s had been hospitalized since April 14th. He was a resident of a long-term care facility in the county. JCHD has also been notified of 1 additional positive case of COVID-19 in a teenage female county resident who is in isolation at home.
Jefferson County Health Department continues to investigate each case ensuring the isolation of the positive patient. In addition the Health Department places close contacts that have had exposure to the positive patient on quarantine for a minimum of 14 days. This would allow symptoms to develop and pass without posing risk to others. If you are contacted by public health officials, please respond promptly.
To date there have been 79 lab-confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 in Jefferson County. Three of these have resulted in deaths. Eight of the positive cases have now been released from isolation.
Public Health officials expect more positive cases to be confirmed locally. The number of cases can be reduced by adhering to the stay at home order, washing hands frequently, disinfecting commonly touched surfaces, and maintaining space of at least six feet from others.
Refer to trusted sources for information including our Facebook page, Illinois Department of Public Health, and CDC.