Quincy, IL (ADAMS COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT) – On April 28, 2020 the Adams County Health Department announces six new cases of COVID-19 in Adams County. We are also removing one previously reported case, whose residency was determined to be out of our jurisdiction. This brings the total number of confirmed cases to 39.
New positives today include a female in her 80s residing in the Golden Good Shephard Home as well as a female in her 60s residing in the Lampe High Rise Apartments. Public health officials have started a contact investigation to notify, test and isolate contacts the positive cases had prior to their diagnosis. The Adams County Health Department is working with the Golden Good Shepherd Home and Quincy Housing Authority to identify these contacts, as well as working with other individuals who have tested positive. Specific to Golden Good Shepherd Home, the Health Department, the Home and a local medical partner are providing testing on site to all residents of the home and referring all employees to access our mobile testing location in Clayton, Illinois.
“Residents in nursing homes are our most vulnerable population and we are doing everything we can to protect them, including immediate universal testing of residents and staff in homes with a positive case,” states Adams County Health Department Public Health Administrator, Jerrod Welch. “Over the course of our battle with COVID-19, we most likely will find cases in other long-term care facilities as well as other vulnerable and congregate populations. We remain in daily contact with all congregate living and nursing facilities in the County to assure that the health of residents and staff are closely monitored.” The Illinois Department of Public Health has guidance for long-term care facilities on its website to assist facilities in taking proactive steps to ensure the health and safety of their workers, patients and families.
“We are diligently working to keep our residents and staff safe,” said the Golden Good Shephard Home administrator, Abby Wayman. “We continue to monitor all residents and staff with regular wellness and health checks and follow all guidelines outlined by the Illinois Department of Public Health for long-term care facilities.” Jerry Gille, Quincy Housing Authority Director, states “Lampe High Rise Apartments are independent living units.
Common dining, bath and gathering areas have been closed to the residents for several weeks, and we have been providing extra cleaning of hallways, entryways and other areas. We continue to encourage our residents to practice social distancing in the hallways and avoid any visitors except for those delivering home healthcare services in their individual units.”
Adams County residents with questions or concerns are encouraged to visit our Facebook page, or call the COVID-19 Hotline (217-277-3504). For general questions about COVID-19, call the Illinois Department of Public Health COVID-19 Hotline 1-800-889-3931 or email: DPH.SICK@ILLINOIS.GOV.
For additional media questions contact:
Adams County Health Department Public Information Officer
217.277.2215