Speak with your doctor about ways you can manage COVID-19 symptoms. Courthouse.

The best way for all Ford County residents to reduce their risk of getting sick, as with seasonal colds or the flu, still applies to prevent COVID-19: Avoid close contact with people who are sick. Do not let pets interact with people or other animals outside the household. Watch your distance. The virus that causes COVID-19 is a novel coronavirus meaning this is a new strain that has been identified in humans. High-quality services, including personal health services, needed for the... © 2017 FORD COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT. Contact your healthcare provider should you suspect you have been exposed to COVID-19. These transmissions occurred within enclosed spaces that had inadequate ventilation. Public health officials believe these large cats became sick after being exposed to a zoo employee who was actively shedding virus. It is critical to emphasize that maintaining 6-feet social distancing remains important to slowing the spread of the virus.

You may also visit the CDC's Coronavirus Self-Checker at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/index.html. Sometimes the infected person was breathing heavily, for example while singing or exercising. Ford County Public Health Department (FCPHD) is the county health department for Ford County and provides comprehensive health services and programs to the community through a workforce of 10 public health professionals – all dedicated to improving the health and well-being of Ford County residents and the communities in which they live, learn, work, worship, and play. Surgeon General How to Make Your Own Face Covering (YouTube) -, Coronavirus Tips: How to make a mask without sewing (YouTube) –, A list of testing sites can be found online at, You may also visit the CDC's Coronavirus Self-Checker, What to do if you suspect you have COVID-19. Ford County Health Department. 1.5K likes. These are the first pets in the United States to test positive for COVID-19. For more information on how COVID-19 spreads, please visit: Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C), Pain or pressure in the chest that does not go away.

Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available.

Click here to learn about Ford County's current COVID-19 cases. Depending on your travel history, you may be asked to stay home for 14 days from the time you left an area with widespread or ongoing community spread. Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces in your home everyday. The Ford County Public Health Department is now offering Flu vaccine. However, we know that many children with MIS-C had the virus that causes COVID-19, or had been around someone with COVID-19. Visit the CDC website for more information on current travel recommendations. The virus was first identified during an investigation in an outbreak in Wuhan, China back in December 2019. The virus that causes COVID-19 appears to spread more efficiently than influenza but not as efficiently as measles, which is among the most contagious viruses known to affect people. Try alternatives to shaking hands, like an elbow bump or wave. Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces, such as doorknobs, countertops and phones. Seek emergency care right away if your child is showing any of these emergency warning signs of MIS-C or other concerning signs: Everyone is at risk for getting COVID-19 if they are exposed to the virus. Keep cats indoors when possible to prevent them from interacting with other animals or people. We do not yet know what causes MIS-C. Stay home if you are sick, unless seeking medical care. Practice the 3 W's - Wash your hands. Wear a cloth face covering in public settings. Looking for forms pertaining to food permits, septic, or water wells? 200 W. State Paxton, IL 60957 Hours: 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM COVID-19 is thought to spread mainly through close contact from person to person, including between people who are physically near each other (within about 6 feet). COVID-19 symptoms include fever, cough, and shortness of breath. CDC is aware of a small number of pets, including dogs and cats. Visit CDC's If You Have Animals webpage for more information. There is a very small number of animals around the world reported to be infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 after having contact with a person with COVID-19. Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash and wash your hands. These symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus: Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C) is a condition where different body parts can become inflamed, including the heart, lungs, kidneys, brain, skin, eyes, or gastrointestinal organs. This will help the healthcare provider’s office take steps to keep other people from getting infected or exposed. Free Tax Preparation Assistance Available in Illinois. Only a few of the animals reported to be positive showed signs of illness. Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that are common in people and many different species of animals. Ford County Public Health Department (FCPHD) is the county health department for Ford County and provides comprehensive health services and programs to the community through a workforce of 10 public health professionals – all dedicated to improving the health and well-being of Ford County residents and the communities in which they live, learn, work, worship, and play. CDC is additionally advising 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. COVID-19 most commonly spreads during close contact - People who are physically near (within 6 feet) a person with COVID-19 or have direct contact with that person are at greatest risk of infection. If you have recently returned from a country, state or region with ongoing spread of COVID-19, monitor your health and follow the instructions of public health officials, Currently, FCPHD recommends avoiding unnecessary travel. Use a separate bathroom, if available. There is no treatment or cure for COVID-19. People who are mildly ill with COVID-19 are able to isolate at home during their illness. The mission of the Ford County Public Health Department is to fulfill society's interest in assuring conditions in which people can reach their maximum health potential.

According to CDC, "We now know from recent studies that a significant portion of individuals with coronavirus lack symptoms (“asymptomatic”) and that even those who eventually develop symptoms (“pre-symptomatic”) can transmit the virus to others before showing symptoms. Samples from this tiger were taken and tested after several lions and tigers at the zoo showed signs of respiratory illness. CDC is aware of a small number of pets, including dogs and cats, reported to be infected with the virus that causes COVID-19, mostly after close contact with people with COVID-19. Board of Health Members; Board of Health By-Laws; Board of Health Agendas & Minutes; Board of Health Meeting Schedule; Services; Events; News & Press. People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported – ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. People in places where ongoing community spread of the virus that causes COVID-19 has been reported. If you think you have been exposed to COVID-19 and develop symptoms, follow the CDC’s steps below to help prevent the disease from spreading to people in your home and community. Call ahead before visiting your doctor and tell them that you may have COVID-19.

For more information about people at increased risk and should take extra precautions, visit: How can people reduce the risk of getting sick and prevent the spread of COVID-19? Mission To improve and advance the quality of life for Ford County citizens with comprehensive, cost effective and quality public health services. Walk dogs on a leash, maintaining at least 6 feet (2 meters) from other people and animals. The best way for all Ford County residents to reduce their risk of getting sick, as with seasonal colds or the flu, still applies to prevent COVID-19: Currently, FCPHD recommends avoiding unnecessary travel. A list of testing sites can be found online at coronavirus.illinois.gov/s/testing-sites or dph.illinois.gov/testing. COVID-19 can sometimes be spread by airborne transmission - Some infections can be spread by exposure to virus in small droplets and particles that can linger in the air for minutes to hours. Wear a face covering. The State of Illinois oversees 11 community-based testing sites. You should restrict activities outside your home, except for getting medical care.

As much as possible, stay in a specific room and away from other people and pets/animals in your home.

There is evidence that under certain conditions, people with COVID-19 seem to have infected others who were more than 6 feet away.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------, CDC's Frequently Asked Questions about COVID-19, © 2017 FORD COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT. Depending on your travel history, you, Cloth Face Coverings: Questions and Answers, Use Cloth Face Coverings to Slow Spread of COVID-19, U.S. Other public and private sites are not run by the State of Illinois and may have differing testing requirements. Avoid close contact with people who are sick. Diagnosis occurs through laboratory testing of respiratory specimens and serum (blood). We learn more about COVID-19 every day, and as more information becomes available, CDC will continue to update and share information about risk for severe illness. People who need to take extra precautions. Stay home if you are sick, unless seeking medical care. Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) COVID-19 Resources; COVID-19 Press Releases; Ford County Cases; Reopening; Ford County Safe; Jobs; Contact Us On April 22, the CDC and the USDA's National Veterinary Services Laboratories announced the first confirmed cases of COVID-19 in two pet cats. CDC and FCPHD recommend all persons postpone any travel on cruise ships, including river cruises, worldwide. © 2017 FORD COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT, Illinois Breast and Cervical Cancer Program (IBCCP), Opioid Overdose Reversal Training and Naloxone Distribution, Emergency Preparedness & Response Program. Contact your child’s doctor, nurse, or clinic right away if your child is showing symptoms of MIS-C: Be aware that not all children will have all the same symptoms.

News & Press; COVID-19. Some people are more likely than others to become severely ill, which means that they may require hospitalization, intensive care, or a ventilator to help them breathe, or they may even die. To enhance community health and development through collaboration, teaching and services with other community agencies. For more information on COVID-19 and what you can do to protect yourself and your family, please visit: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/need-extra-precautions/index.html, IDPH Guidance on the Use of Masks by the General Public, https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/cloth-face-cover-faq.html, https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/diy-cloth-face-coverings.html, Tips on Face Coverings for Children During COVID-19, https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/index.html. There are dozens of sites across the state that provide COVID-19 testing.

Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands. Services The following is a list of the comprehensive health care services that are offered through the Ford County Health Department: Travelers returning from affected locations where community spread is occurring.

For more information about people at increased risk and should take extra precautions, visit: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/need-extra-precautions/index.html.