Champaign-Urbana Public Health Briefing March 27, 2020

Champaign, Ill.— Under the leadership of the Champaign County Emergency Operations Center (EOC), area 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 11 confirmed cases in Champaign County, the newest a woman in her 50’s.
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.
Testing
Beginning today, Carle Foundation Hospital will begin on-site COVID-19 testing for approved patients.
Testing is still limited at the guidance of state health officials.
“What this means for patients is faster results – not just for Carle patients – but for all. As more hospitals are capable of local testing, it reduces strain on state and commercial labs,” said Kayla Banks, Carle vice president of Quality and Infection Prevention.
The approved testing criteria remains the same following current Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) guidance. Currently, approved COVID-19 tests state and commercial labs processing times vary greatly based on volume. Demand still far outweighs today’s supply capacity.
Treatment
At this time, there is no Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved pharmaceutical treatment for COVID-19. A number of new and existing medications are being researched as possible treatment options, but currently there are no large scale studies demonstrating the safety and effectiveness of these treatments. Researchers are developing vaccines to help prevent this virus but those solutions are several months away. There is no medication that has demonstrated the ability to prevent this virus
today. The best care is rest, fluids and fever-reducing medications.
Please do not take any medications not prescribed by a health care professional for treatment or prevention of COVID-19. Medications can have toxic side effects—including death. Additionally, using treatments intended for HIV, Rheumatoid Arthritis, and other diseases can put existing patients at risk by creating drug shortages. Please be sure to use medications safely.
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 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 has an authorized testing facility outside the Christie Clinic on Windsor location.
Patients identified through Illinois Department of Public Health’s screening protocol to need testing will be directed to this location. Patients need to call ahead to receive specific instructions on where to go and how to be tested. This will reduce the risk of potential exposure to others.
 To help slow the spread of COVID-19, Christie Clinic patients will be limited to one support person at their appointment. Additional guests should remain in their vehicles.
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
 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