COVID-19 Individuals - Kankakee County Health Department

COVID-19 Individuals

Current Kankakee County Covid-related Data
(Updated Weekly)

There are many types of human coronaviruses including some that commonly cause mild upper-respiratory tract illnesses. COVID-19 is a new disease, caused by a novel (or new) coronavirus not previously seen in humans. COVID-19 was identified as the cause of an outbreak of respiratory illness first detected in Wuhan, China, that has spread around the world, including the United States and all 50 states.

Get Tested!

The first step to recovery is knowing if you have Covid-19. Contact your physician, or one of our local hospitals to schedule your test today.

We strongly recommend continuing social distancing, stay at home procedures and other safety measures which include:

Staying home as much as possible, especially those at-risk individuals or those in regular close-proximity to at-risk individuals,
Calling to check on family, neighbors, and older adults instead of visiting,
Checking with your provider about telehealth options if you feel ill,
Remember to continue using proper hand hygiene,
Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue or sleeve when sneezing or coughing.

Most importantly stay home if you are sick! If you have a respiratory illness, stay home for 7 days after your symptoms started and for 3 days after your fever has stopped without the use of fever reducing drugs, and your cough or sore throat symptoms have improved (whichever is longer).

When Can I Be Around Others After I have been positive or suspected positive for COVID-19?

Follow guidance from the health department staff and your health care provider.

When you should consult with your doctor:

Fever, cough, shortness of breath or other cold or flu like symptoms and do not feel better after three to four days. Use telephone, text, telemedicine or a patient portal to reach out rather than going to your doctor in person if possible.
You are an older adult or have chronic health conditions of concern (heart disease, diabetes, lung disease) and are exhibiting mild symptoms.

Getting Tested

CDC Guidance on Testing

Where to get tested

Facemask Guidance

When to Wear a Mask

IDPH and The CDC recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain (e.g., grocery stores and pharmacies), especially in areas of significant community-based transmission.

CDC also advises the use of simple cloth face coverings 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 fashioned from household items or made at home from common materials at low cost can be used as an additional, voluntary public health measure.

Your cloth face covering should:

✔️ Reach above the nose, below the chin, and completely cover the mouth and nostrils

✔️ Fit snugly against the sides of the face

✔️ Be made of multiple layers of fabric that you can still breathe through

✔️ Be able to be laundered and machine dried without damaging the material or shape

Do not buy surgical masks to use as a face covering. Those are intended for healthcare workers and first responders. Many items you may already have in your home can be used to create face coverings.

Try creating a cloth face covering using bandanas, ski masks, washable napkins, or dish towels.

Facemask Tutorials