Members of the Knox County COVID Unified Command system said they continue communicating daily about the coronavirus pandemic. Just one positive case of COVID-19 is confirmed in Knox County so far but the group is preparing for the possibility of more cases.
Unified Command told Tri States Public Radio that the county has enough supplies and tests available locally from a combination of private labs and the Knox County Health Department. However, the group declined to say how many tests they have on hand.
It takes the Illinois Department of Public Health State Lab in Springfield approximately two to four days to return results. Private testing facilities take longer -- approximately four to fourteen days for results.
To date, the Knox County Health Department has processed 77 tests.
Unified Command also told TSPR that Galesburg facilities received a new shipment of respirators from the federal stockpile last week, and the county has more respirators from a private source.
Unified Command said no respirators have been needed so far in Knox County for COVID-19.
In hot spots around the country, a shortage of health providers is a concern as staff become exhausted from working long hours or fall ill themselves. Unified Command said local medical staff and nursing leaders at each hospital have developed a surge plan that includes specialists and primary care providers from throughout the area. The surge plan also identifies beds, negative air space areas, and clinical care teams.
Unified Command underscored that the game changer in keeping local COVID-19 cases to a minimum is not about supplies – it’s about preventative measures. The group urged people to follow the Governor’s shelter-in-place requirement and to wash hands frequently, maintain social distancing, and to stay home if feeling ill.
Those who don’t feel well should call their doctor. They are discouraged from showing up unannounced at the doctor’s office or the emergency room. If symptoms are severe, such as difficulty breathing, they should call 911.
The agencies involved in the Knox County COVID Unified Command System are:
· The Galesburg Police Department
· The Knox County Sheriff’s Department
· The Galesburg Fire Department
· The Knox County Health Department
· Galesburg Hospitals’ Ambulance Service
· Galesburg School District 205
· Regional Office of Education Number 33
The system was activated in mid-March. Galesburg Fire Chief Randy Hovind is the system’s coordinator and is overseeing the emergency operations plan.
More information can be found on the Knox County COVID Unified Command Dashboard website.
