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Health advisory issued for Peoria County after increased COVID-19 activity - week.com

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PEORIA (WEEK) -- The Peoria City/County Health Department has issued a health advisory for the county until further notice due to an increase of COVID-19 cases.

The department is taking this action because of significant increases in cases per 100,000 population and the percentage of emergency department visits for COVID-19-like-illness by Peoria County residents.

"The way to consider this health advisory is that we are putting ourselves on notice and recognizing the fact the indicators we are seeing, if not checked, will continue to progress us towards a direction that we do not want to go towards," said PCCHD Administrator Monica Hendrickson at a press briefing on Friday. "... This is (a) way of bringing notice to our public, and understanding if we continue down this path, we would have to start looking at further restrictions."

Hendrickson said a large portion of the cases are those 29 years old and younger.

"They disproportionately show milder symptoms or are asymptomatic and that makes them perfect to what we call, 'superspreaders,'" said Hendrickson.

Contact tracing, Hendrickson said, shows a lot of the new cases are connected to Fourth of July parties and other private gatherings.

"We know you care. We have seen your passion in regards to social activism, now we are asking you to take that energy and expand it to COVID-19," said Hendrickson.

When it comes to contact tracing, Hendrickson is asking those who are called to answer as specifically as possible.

"By talking to our contact tracers, that information is private and we would not be sharing that with law enforcement or anyone else. But that information is imperative for us to get ahead of this, so with that, please be honest and upfront. Again, you will not get in trouble for any information you share with us but it does help us get ahead of this virus," said Hendrickson.

According to a release by the health department, the following contributing factors have been identified, based on data provided through contact tracing:

  • Increased activity including large gatherings without proper social distancing and face coverings.
  • Individuals with mild symptoms failing to use proper precautions.
  • Travel to states that have less protective measures.

The health department advises the following precautions to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the county:

  • Face coverings should be properly worn in public spaces as well as when within 6ft of individuals outside of your immediate household.
  • Proper use of face coverings involves covering the nose and mouth.
  • Maintain social distancing of at least 6 ft between yourself and individuals outside of your household.
  • In-person and large gatherings should be avoided as it is difficult to maintain distancing.
  • Stay home if you are sick, even when you have mild symptoms and get tested.
  • While waiting for your test results, stay in isolation to prevent further exposure to others.
  • Re-consider traveling to areas that are experiencing high rates of activity or areas where there aren’t protective measures. If you do travel, take precautions and monitor systems upon return.

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