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Franklin County woman, Jackson County teen are 3rd and 4th official SI cases

A Jackson County teen and a Franklin County woman in her 50s are the third and fourth southern Illinois residents officially diagnosed with the coronavirus, local health department officials announced Wednesday and Thursday.

The woman's case is not life-threatening, as she is currently at home recovering in isolation, the Williamson-Franklin Bi-County Health Department said in a news release on Wednesday. The release adds that officials believe she contacted the virus through community spread. It is the first laboratory confirmed positive test in Franklin County.

Meanwhile, the Jackson County Health Department was notified Thursday evening of a young man in his late teens who tested positive for COVID-19. The news release says the young man is doing fair and is at home on isolation. Officials believe he contacted the novel coronavirus through recent travel to the Chicago area. He is not allowed to leave home until he is well and can no longer transmit the disease.

The first two cases in southern Illinois are Williamson and Jackson county residents, both of whom are also recovering at home, authorities said.

Public health officials have begun an investigation in both new cases, talking with people the patients may have been in contact with before they were diagnosed. As is protocol, public health officials may place other individuals on home quarantine if they have had significant exposure, even if they are not currently symptomatic.

While the number of COVID-19 cases in southern Illinois remains relatively small, overall in Illinois the numbers are have risen dramatically over the past week. According to the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), there were 2,538 individuals confirmed with COVID-19 in Illinois as of Thursday.

With increased testing will come more confirmed cases. Officials urge the public to practice social distancing of at least six feet from others, wash hands frequently, disinfect common surfaces and stay home.

COVID-19 shares many symptoms with more common respiratory diseases. If you have a fever, cough, or difficulty breathing, call your health care provider for guidance. In addition, several COVID-19 hotlines have been established:

Illinois Department of Public Health, (800) 889-3931, DPH.SICK.ILLINOIS.GOV.

Southern Illinois Healthcare (SIH), (844) 988-7800.

Franklin Hospital, (618) 435-9700.

Heartland Regional Medical Center, (888) 543-2786.

Clinicians are there to answer questions, assess each caller, and advise on the next steps.