This week marks second anniversary of COVID-19 in Illinois; PCHD reports eight COVID deaths this month
PROTECTED CONTENT
If you’re a current subscriber, log in below. If you would like to subscribe, please click the subscribe tab above.
Username and Password Help
Please enter your email and we will send you a password reset link.
On January 24, 2020, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) announced the first case of COVID-19 in Illinois. The Pike County Health Department (PCHD) was notified on March 27, 2020 of the first case of COVID-19 in Pike County.
IDPH Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike states, “We have learned a great deal in the two years since the first case was reported in Illinois and we continue to learn as this virus and its variants are constantly changing. We now have safe and effective vaccines; we have oral antiviral and monoclonal antibody treatments; and we know that proper masking, testing, and isolation and quarantine can help slow the spread of the virus.”
Illinois milestones:
■ January 24, 2020: First confirmed Illinois case of COVID-19 reported in a Chicago resident, a woman in her 60s who returned from Wuhan, China on January 13, 2020.
■ January 30, 2020: Second confirmed case of COVID-19 in Illinois reported in a man in his 60s and the spouse of the first confirmed case in Illinois. This was the first person-to-person spread of the virus in the United States.
■ February 11, 2020: IDPH announces it is able to conduct testing for SARS-CoV-2, making Illinois the first state to be able to perform in-state testing.
■ March 17, 2020: IDPH announces the first COVID-19 death in Illinois.
■ December 15, 2020: First COVID-19 vaccines administered in Illinois.
So far in the month of January 2022, PCHD has been notified of 990 new cases of COVID-19 in Pike County. In December 2021, PCHD was notified of 786 new cases of COVID-19. These are the highest number of cases reported to PCHD since the pandemic began. Sadly, there have been eight COVID-19 related deaths in January 2022.
PCHD’s message to residents continues to be:
■ If you are not vaccinated, get vaccinated.
■ For those vaccinated, get your booster when available to you.
■ Stay home if you are sick.
■ Socially distance.
■ Wear a well-fitting mask over your nose and mouth when around others and unable to socially distance.
■ Wash your hands frequently with soap and water.
