OTTAWA – Since the outbreak of the novel Coronavirus, or COVID-19, many rumors and misunderstandings about the virus and how it is being tracked have come to light. We spoke with Jenny Barrie, health educator with the LaSalle County Health Department about some of the more notable misconceptions.
When the first cases began to be reported, the health department would just say the age and sex of the infected but not their community or address. Why is that?
It is our priority to maintain the privacy of any and all confirmed cases that occur in our county. We do not release any information that may identify an individual as we are required to abide by HIPPA and patient confidentiality laws. Due to the size of our communities in the county any additional information beyond age and gender would potentially be identifying information. In addition, we ask the community and media to understand that individuals who are being monitored need to have their privacy protected and our compassion and concern.
In addition, the Governor has stated that when there are 5 or more cases, zip codes will be released. At this time LaSalle County Health Department (LCHD) will follow guidance from Illinois and IDPH. LCHD has stated that everyone in every community should assume that COVID-19 is in their area.
http://www.dph.illinois.gov/covid19/covid19-statistics
The state is loosening restrictions. Is social distancing still necessary?
As we move toward re-opening, it is important for people to remember the virus has not gone away and it continues to be an equal opportunity virus. It is still circulating in our communities and will be for an undetermined amount of time. As more businesses re-open LaSalle County residents must remain diligent about stopping the spread of COVID-19. The preventative measures that we have grown accustom to have been working and have helped slow the spread. It is important we do not lose sight of the importance of these measures as we move forward. Common sense measures such as social distancing, frequent handwashing, wearing masks, and staying home when you are ill will still be a necessary part of our day-to day lives. These measures will ensure we continue to move forward.
If masks help, why do we still need to limit the number of people in stores?
It is important to remember masks do not replace handwashing and social distancing – they all work together as effective prevention measures. The use of cloth face coverings (masks) are necessary to slow the spread of the virus and help people who may have the virus and do not know it from transmitting it to others. Cloth face coverings must be worn in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain. One of the easiest ways to explain the importance of wearing a mask is “My mask protects you, your mask protects me.”
Are individuals who tested positive more than once being counted multiple times as new cases?
Cases are only counted once regardless if they are tested more than once.
Is the health department being rewarded by the state or federal government to fabricate results?
No.
Is it true that a previous flu vaccine, over the counter medication, or diet can trigger a positive test result?
There is currently no scientific evidence supporting these claims. Flu shots do not contain the coronavirus that causes COVID-19.
Are individuals considered positive without a test and added to the list of cases due to an assumption?
No, only cases confirmed through a positive test result are reported in LaSalle County.
Is being directed to self isolate put you down as a positive case?
Public health officials work to identify and actively investigate all individuals who were in contact with confirmed cases. If a person is determined to be a close contact of a confirmed individual, they will be contacted by local public health officials. Close contacts are provided instructions by public health officials which include staying home and quarantining themselves for the recommended period of time. Testing is recommended for close contacts exhibiting symptoms. Close contacts of a confirmed case are only counted in LaSalle County numbers if they are tested and confirmed to be positive.
Please note that symptomatic individuals who are not tested may be considered probable cases but are not included in case numbers unless they test positive.
Is it true if someone dies in a motor vehicle accident but had tested positive prior for COVID-19, they are counted as a COVID death?
A patient’s physician and the coroner/medical examiner typically complete the death certificate and make the appropriate determination. The number of COVID-19 deaths reported represents individuals with laboratory confirmed COVID-19 at the time of death.
The Illinois Department of Public Health issued a statement about COVID-19 related deaths on May 11th.
“The number of COVID-19 deaths IDPH reports represents individuals with laboratory confirmed COVID-19 at the time of death. IDPH also tracks those where the cause of death on the death certificate is listed as COVID-19. However, we are currently only reporting laboratory-confirmed cases. If the death of someone who has laboratory confirmed COVID-19 is completely unrelated – e.g. car crash, fire, homicide, that death is not included in the case count.”
Didn’t most people already catch this in September-December last year?
It is difficult to determine if COVID-19 was circulating in our area late last year because we were not aware of the virus or testing for it at that time. The focus in our communities should not be whether you have been exposed but rather, assume you have been exposed and take measures to decrease the transmission to others. It is important for people to remember the virus has not gone away and it continues to be an equal opportunity virus. It is still circulating in our communities and will be for an undetermined amount of time.
Shouldn’t just the nursing homes and prisons be quarantined? Aren’t all the cases from there?
The confirmed cases that have reported in LaSalle County have been widespread throughout the county. At this time, it is not our policy to comment on individual facilities regarding their residents and their staff. We would encourage you to contact each facility individually for that information.
For county-specific information on Long-Term Care Outbreak, please visit https://www.dph.illinois.gov/covid19/long-term-care-facility-outbreaks-covid-19
For information regarding outbreaks at Illinois prisons, please visit https://www2.illinois.gov/idoc/pages/default.aspx
These agencies follow federal, state, and local guidance due to their congregate population. In addition, public health officials work to identify and actively investigate all individuals who were in contact with confirmed cases. If a person is determined to be a close contact of a confirmed individual, they will be contacted by local public health officials. This is called contact tracing and has been utilized by public health officials for decades to track outbreaks of measles, HIV, and other infectious diseases. It is a key strategy for preventing further spread of COVID-19. Knowing if you’ve been exposed to someone with COVID-19 gives residents the ability to keep their families, co-workers, and friends safe by staying at home for the recommended length of time. Individuals are provided information and support to understand their risk of infection, tips on how to separate themselves from others who weren’t exposed, how to monitor themselves for illness, and educated on the chance they could be an asymptomatic carrier of the virus.
Where is the best place to find information about COVID-19 or other communicable diseases?
The LaSalle County Health Department encourages everyone to get their information from reliable sources only, such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Illinois Department of Public Health, and local health departments. We encourage all residents to call us during regular business hours if they have questions or concerns regarding COVID-19 information.
