Iowa has seen an increase in positive COVID-19 tests. | stock photo
Iowa has seen an increase in positive COVID-19 tests. | stock photo
During a joint COVID-19 news conference, counties in both Iowa and Illinois discussed how they are managing the virus.
Dr. Ngozi O. Ezike, the director of the Illinois Department of Public Health, also answered questions during the briefing.
"We have made great strides in our battle against COVID-19," Ezike said. "Congrats to you for your hard work. We have 144,882 confirmed cases — in the last 24 hours we've had 869 and, unfortunately, 36 deaths reported in the last 24 hours. We are very proud we've been able to increase testing capacity in the state and have been resulting in the last week on average 30,000 tests per day. I am cautiously optimistic about the direction we are headed."
Ezike stressed the importance of continuing to social distance and wear masks.
"We have to keep limiting interactions with large groups, we need to continue maintaining distance and we need to keep wearing our face coverings," Ezike said.
Ezike said additional people will be hired to help the existing public health officials to identify people who have been exposed to the virus.
"Please don't gamble with your chances against COVID-19," Ezike said. "We want to keep everyone as safe as possible."
Ezike stressed what she calls the three W's: Washing hands, watching distance and wearing face coverings.
"Together we will get through this pandemic," Ezike said.
Nita Ludwig, the administrator of the Rock Island County Health Department, said a new testing site was up and running in Rock Island County that is open daily.
"Patients will receive their results, either positive or negative, by phone call," Ludwig said. "The results are taking about 3 to 4 days because of the increased testing."
Ludwig said the lab will call a patient twice, but won't leave messages due to confidentiality. The patient will need to call the lab back to get their results.
Edward Rivers, the director of the Scott County Health Department, said they've noticed an uptick in positive tests lately.
"After several weeks of cloudy numbers, we continue to see very high numbers that started last week," Rivers said. "Additional testing is not driving this spike."
Rivers said the majority of positive cases have been individuals experiencing symptoms — not those who are asymptomatic.
"We must all take responsibility for the risks we take," Rivers said.
Rivers said every person has the tools to prevent the spread of the illness.
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