Champaign-Urbana Public Health Briefing April 22, 2020
Champaign, Ill.— All daily media briefings are provided under the leadership of the Champaign County Emergency Operations Center (EOC).
We are announcing two new cases today; Champaign County has a cumulative total of 98 cases. In addition, we are reporting one more death in Champaign County. This person was a man in his 90s with underlying health conditions. There have been a total of five COVID-related deaths. These numbers are accurate as of the release time.
For information on demographics, please visit the Champaign-Urbana Public Health website at: https://www.c- uphd.org/champaign-urbana-illinois-coronavirus-information.html
Healthcare update – Carle Health and Community Blood Services of Illinois, are collaborating on an investigational treatment with a century-old approach to treat hospitalized COVID-19 patients. First Community Blood Services of Illinois collects plasma from a recovered COVID-19 donor. Then, physicians use it to treat the sickest COVID-19 patients. Carle is the first hospital in the region to administer the plasma to patients. Researchers hope the treatment, called convalescent plasma, will boost the ability of people with severe COVID-19 symptoms to fight the virus more effectively. Find more at carle.org/newsroom.
Mask Drive – WCIA 3 News is partnering with the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD), United Way, and the Champaign County Economic Development Corporation to collect homemade sewn cloth face masks for essential businesses and employees in Champaign County.
DATE: Tuesday, April 28th TIME: 9am – 7pm
LOCATION: WCIA Backlot (Drive through. Drop off. Do not get out of your vehicle.)
Full details can be found at: https://www.facebook.com/events/227965001753140/
Mask guidance – According to the Illinois Department of Public Health, all Illinoisans should wear a mask or face covering when they must leave their home.
Medical grade masks should be reserved for healthcare or first responders. Examples include:
For essential work
For grocery shopping
For pharmacy or restaurant pickup
Other travel deemed essential by the stay-at-home order
“Wearing a mask is one additional layer of protection to help spread germs right now. The best defense remains washing your hands and limiting your travel to essential needs like gas, groceries and immediate healthcare needs,” said Sally Salmons, MD, associate chief medical officer, Primary Care, Medical Specialties, Women’s and Children’s Services,
Behavioral Health and Regional Health. “A surgical or fabric mask doesn’t prevent COVID or other viruses from getting into your body but it does guard against you unknowingly spreading germs you have to others. This is especially important as
people may be carrying this virus and others without showing symptoms today.”
CDC’s guidance on how to make a face mask:
SCAM ALERT/CONTACT TRACING – The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District wants community members to be aware of a new text scam. CUPHD uses contact tracing as a process of identifying people who have come in contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, instructing them to quarantine and monitor their symptoms daily. CUPHD does this by calling people on the phone. You will never receive a text from CUPHD with this information.
Additional resources and information
211 – This is a service provided by the United Way with trained specialists to match people to the right service agency based on your individual needs. For access, dial 211 or visit the Champaign County 211 website at uwayhelps.org/211.
Champaign County COVID-19 Resource Site – During this challenging time, the community is coming together to provide solutions. A county website has been created to provide information, updates and needed resources that provide support. This information can be found at: champaigncountycovid19.org
The COVID-19 website will be updated as new information is received.
Community transmission
We have community transmission, meaning the virus is circulating among the local community and infecting people who are not sure how or where they were infected, we all should consider ourselves at risk for exposure to COVID-19. 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.
COVID-19 Patient Resources Carle (217) 902-6100
Carle remains open to meet essential Primary and Specialty Care needs. Examples of essential appointments include high blood pressure, ear infection and minor cuts and fractures. Patients should call the COVID-19 Hotline at (217) 902-6100 to be assessed and directed to the appropriate location for care. Your provider may address many health needs by phone or virtual visits in accordance with social distancing best practice. All Carle Emergency Departments remain open for people needing immediate care for life-threatening emergencies.
Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (217) 239-7877
Community-based testing capabilities have been expanded for those with symptoms not attributed to an underlying or previously recognized condition. Please call our COVID-19 hotline at (217) 239-7877 if you have symptoms that include:
Fever
OR Cough
OR Shortness of breath
OR Unexplained fatigue and loss of taste or smell
CUPHD’s COVID hotline is available seven days a week between the hours of 8am-7pm. If you do not reach a person, leave a voicemail that includes your name and phone number with a brief message.
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 Clinic (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 is moving as many visits as possible to Christie Clinic Telehealth to keep patients connected with their provider. To request a virtual appointment, patients should visit their MyChristie patient portal or call their provider to determine the best appointment solution.
Christie Clinic Convenient Cares now operating out of the Christie Clinic in Urbana and Christie Clinic in Danville on Vermilion locations.
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.
OSF SilverCloud-An online platform available at osfhealthcare.org/silvercloud, available 24/7 to help manage stress, anxiety and depression. It’s backed by a live health care professional who can direct users to in-person or telehealth care if necessary.
OSF HealthCare is launching a Pandemic Health Worker Program (PHWP) that will serve individuals with COVID-19 symptoms. A person is eligible for the PHWP if he or she is showing COVID-19 symptoms, or is at high risk for contracting the virus, but does not require emergency or inpatient care, and can be digitally monitored at home. They must first call the COVID-19 Nurse Hotline (833-OSF-KNOW) and be digitally triaged by a nurse. Depending on the answers to the screening questions, the nurse or other provider will determine if they are eligible for the PHWP. If enrolled, the client will be notified and receive a phone call from a Pandemic Health Worker within 48 hours.
Promise Healthcare
COVID-19 testing is available at Frances Nelson. A person must be having symptoms, be an established patient or willing to establish care. Additional criteria may apply and will be screened prior to scheduling the appointment. The tests will be administered curbside at Frances Nelson. Testing is by appointment only. If you have symptoms, call our COVID-19 Care Line at (217) 403-5402 or (217) 356-1558. Testing is available from 7:30 am – 5:15 pm, Monday through Friday at Frances Nelson, 819 Bloomington Road, Champaign.
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
The SmileHealthy Dental Center at Frances Nelson remains open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. to treat dental emergencies of pain or swelling. The clinic located at 819 Bloomington Road, Champaign welcomes patients with Molina, Meridian, Medicaid and Delta Dental and sees patients regardless of ability to pay on a sliding fee scale. Same day appointments are available.
