Champaign, Ill.— Champaign County healthcare organizations will be providing weekday media briefings.
The number of persons diagnosed with COVID-19 in Illinois continues to rise. As of today, there are four confirmed cases in Champaign County.
Community transmission is occurring in multiple locations throughout the state. All of us should consider ourselves at risk for exposure to coronavirus. That means that everyone should stay home as
much as possible and self-monitor for symptoms. Self-monitoring means checking yourself daily for fever, cough, shortness of breath or a sore throat. Health officials do not indicate testing for mildly ill or
asymptomatic people.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
The health and wellness of those in our communities – and especially our healthcare workers – is top priority. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) does not recommend the use of facemasks for the general public.
To ensure there’s adequate PPE to serve our community, follow this guidance:
General public:
• Do not use surgical masks or N-95 respirator masks unless sick.
• Homemade masks are OK if a person chooses to wear one. These masks do not prevent COVID19, but may prevent the spread of germs.
• If you are at home and sick, isolation is best.
Long-term care facilities:
• Face masks should be prioritized for staff working directly with residents, if masks are limited at the facility.
• Use discretion when deciding to use masks with cognitively impaired residents.
First Responders:
• Facemasks are an acceptable alternative until the supply chain is restored.
• Respirators should be prioritized for procedures that are likely to generate respiratory aerosols, which would pose the highest exposure risk to HCP.
• Eye protection, gown, and gloves continue to be recommended.
• If there are shortages of gowns, they should be prioritized for aerosol generating procedures, care activities where splashes and sprays are anticipated, and high-contact patient care activities that provide opportunities for transfer of pathogens to the hands and clothing of HCP.
• When the supply chain is restored, fit-tested EMS clinicians should return to use of respirators for patients with known or suspected COVID-19.
Individuals that serve people with developmental disabilities:
• Use masks for staff, visitors and residents, if available. Face masks should be prioritized for staff working directly with residents, if masks are limited. Use discretion when deciding to use masks with cognitively impaired residents.
Hotels:
• Staff should wear gloves when cleaning.
How can the community help?
There are many ways the community can help to address COVID 19. Stay home, give blood, make a donation and consider making masks for non-clinicians who wish to wear them.
Handmade masks for non-clinicians
Although area facilities currently have sufficient supply of surgical masks and other PPE and continue to
follow CDC guidance for the safety of patients and staff, there have been volunteer offers to make masks. These sewn masks do not prevent COVID-19, but may prevent spread of germs for people outside of patient care.
For those who wish to make masks, use the following criteria:
• Make masks following these directions online: https://youtu.be/ueWkAuY3k6Y
• Bundle 25 masks in sealed zip lock bag.
• Carle will schedule pick up for packages of sewn masks from porches within Champaign and
Vermilion Counties. Arrange pick up by emailing makeamask@carle.com.
• Carle is collecting them and will redistribute as available to other area healthcare organizations.
Carle will wash masks prior to use and include this note: These masks do not protect you from the virus
that causes COVID-19 but may help prevent the spread of germs. Practicing good hand hygiene, social distancing and staying home are the best protections.
Volunteers should follow the state’s Stay Home Order and shouldn’t leave their homes to purchase supplies and shouldn’t bring the masks to any location.
COVID-19 Patient Resources
Carle (217) 902-6100
• Visit carle.org for an online screening tool and patient information about COVID-19. A smart
form will guide patients through a series of questions to assess their symptoms and risk and
provide guidance on how, where or if a patient should seek care.
Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (217) 239-7877
• Email coronavirus@c-uphd.org
• Updated information available at c-uphd.org.
• Follow Champaign-Urbana Public Health District on Facebook for up to date information.
Christie (217) 366-4070 (8 am – 5 pm; Monday – Friday)
• Visit christieclinic.com or follow Christie Clinic on social media for the most up to date information on COVID-19.
• Christie Clinic has an authorized testing facility outside the Christie Clinic on Windsor location.
Patients identified through screening to need testing will be directed to this location. Patients need to call ahead before coming to the drive through testing location.
• Specific instructions for our obstetrics patients and Transformations Medical Weight Loss program clients are located at christieclinic.com/news/coronavirus
OSF 833-OSF KNOW (833-673-5669)
• The COVID-19 Nurse Hotline is staffed by OSF registered nurses around the clock, and during times of heavy usage will be staffed by other OSF health care professionals.
• Clare, the virtual assistant chatbot on osfhealthcare.org, is equipped to begin screenings for and educate the public about COVID-19.
• OSF COVID Companion is a free text messaging tool that the public can use to receive guidance about COVID-19. To subscribe, users can text OSF to 67634.
Promise Health
• Promise does not perform tests for the COVID-19 virus at this time.
• Call (217) 356-1558 for care at Frances Nelson
• Call (217) 693-4660 for care at Promise on Walnut
• Call (217) 403-5477 for dental care with SmileHealthy
