Grundy County remains on COVID watch list

Grundy County is among 14 counties in the state at a warning level for COVID-19 and the local health department is asking residents to take precautions to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus.
The county is on the state warning list for a second consecutive week for failing to meet three of the state’s metrics, one being the number of new cases per 100,000 in population.
According to the Illinois Department of Public Health [IDPH] the county has a case rate of 82 per 100,000 population for the week ending Aug. 8. It was the third week in a row the county failed to meet the metric.
IDPH uses numerous indicators when determining if a county is experiencing stable COVID-19 activity, or if there are warning signs of increased risk.
A county enters “warning level” when two of more of the eight COVID-19 risk indicators increase and during the most recent reporting period the county failed in a total of three areas with a test positive rate of 8.9% up from 5.8% the week before and tests performed.
The county did improve in the area of emergency department visits for COVID-like illness which was a 2.9% for the reporting period which was down from 5.5% the prior week.
“The direction of our metrics is of concern to county public health officials and other leaders,” said Michelle Pruim, the county’s public health administrator.
County-level data is intended to be used for local level awareness of each county’s progress and is intended to help local leaders, businesses, health departments and the public make informed decisions and promote healthy behaviors.
In a period of seven days the case count increased by 58 bringing the total number of confirmed cases of the novel corornavirus as of Aug. 14 to 366—181 males and 185 females.
The largest increase in cases over the past week was reported among individuals under the age of 20 with 24 new cases—eight males and 16 females.
According to data released by the Grundy County Health Department the virus has had the biggest impact on those 50 years of age and younger. In fact, 83.3% of the county’s cases are among those age groups.
“We have been unable to identify any one particular public entity or gathering as a source of multiple positive cases. Rather, cases seem to be linked to social gatherings with family and friends. While IDPH guidelines do allow for gatherings, resident may consider limiting such activities at this time,” Pruim said.
The data being released by the county health department and IDPH can be used by individuals, families and community groups to help inform their choices about personal and family gatherings, as well as what activities they choose to do.
“We ask residents to continue to practice social distancing, wear face coverings when around anyone outside of your household, and isolate/quarantine as directed. Also, it is important to quarantine while you or a member of your household is awaiting a test result,” Pruim said.
The health department reports of the 366 confirmed cases in the county, 296 of those individuals have completed the recommended isolation period and have been released.
To date 3,882 county residents have been tested with 3,516 returning with a negative result. IDPH reports a total of 7,359 test have been conducted on residents from Grundy County.
As Pruim continues to note the county’s testing numbers are based on the number of residents tested, not the number of tests performed.
On Tuesday, IDPH was reporting the case count in the county had reached 391 with 61 of those cases located within the 60416 zip code [Coal City, Carbon Hill and Diamond area], 171 in zip code 60450 [Morris area], 12 within Gardner’s 60424 zip code and nine from the Mazon area with a zip code of 60444.
According to Pruim the health department is expanding case investigation and contact tracing efforts. Public health officials will be calling positive cases and seeking cooperation in identifying and contacting close contacts.
Early notification is an important mitigation strategy that aids in limiting the spread.
As Pruim notes, this is especially important as some area schools begin to offer in-person instruction. Health officials will be working closely with school officials.
Neighboring counties on the state warning list include Will and LaSalle, along with Kane, Bureau, Cass, Clinton, Franklin, Greene, Hancock, Jefferson, Moultrie, Perry and Union.
“In the coming days, county officials will be releasing information to the public and local businesses concerning the recently JCAR passed emergency provisions related to face coverings. Efforts will be focused on education and seeking cooperation from the public,” Pruim said.
The health department reminds residents to continue to practice social distancing, frequent hand washing and utilization of a face covering when outside the home.