(official Whiteside County Health Dept. Statement)
Whiteside County is pleased to report no new cases in Whiteside County were identified
since yesterday. We are hopeful that this means the community’s efforts and social distancing to slow
the spread of this virus are working in Whiteside County. The Whiteside County Health Department
thanks all residents and visitors for their hard work, but reminds everyone we are not done. We still
need to continue our efforts and give our healthcare systems and manufacturers of personal protective
equipment a chance to prepare for the spike in cases we expect after the Stay at Home order expires.
For Whiteside County to continue to keep cases low, we need to continue our efforts, working together
to stay physically apart and emotionally connected.
Social distancing is the community’s greatest weapon against the spread of COVID-19. Even if you do not
have symptoms, you could be a carrier for COVID-19 and infect vulnerable individuals who could
experience serious health complications or death.
This means we should not be getting together with anyone outside of our immediate household unless
we are helping to provide medical or other necessary care. Unfortunately, that includes forgoing
in-person gatherings with friends and family, in-person religious gatherings, and community events. The
CDC believes individuals can spread the virus up to 48 hours before developing symptoms AND up to
80% of cases may have mild to no symptoms. That is why it is so important to follow the Stay at Home
order and limit our contact with anyone outside of our immediate household.
Tips for keeping yourself and others safe include:
● Avoid contact with sick people and if you have any symptoms please stay home.
● Keep a minimum of 6 feet between you and others.
● Postpone nonessential appointments.
● Stay home and only go out when essential or assisting others.
● Wear a cloth face covering when you go out to prevent unintentionally spreading COVID-19
● If you must go out, go out alone and limit your time.
● When enjoying nature, do so alone or only with members of your household.
● Clean frequently touched surfaces often.
● Wash hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and water. If soap and water are unavailable, use
a 60% alcohol solution. Wash hands before preparing food, eating, as well as before and after
touching your face, coughing or sneezing.
Whiteside County’s current numbers are 27 laboratory confirmed cases. Of laboratory confirmed cases,
5 have recovered and 1 has died with the rest either receiving care or recovering at home.
For general questions about COVID-19 call IDPH’s COVID-19 hotline at 1-800-889-3931.
Additional information is also available on the Illinois Coronavirus and CDC COVID-19 websites.
1300 W. 2nd Street – Rock Falls, Illinois 61071 – Phone: 815-626-2230 – whitesidehealth.org
Facebook: @WhitesideCHC – Twitter: @Whiteside_CHC
