Second Saline County resident tests positive for COVID-19

SALINE COUNTY - A second Saline County resident tested positive for coronavirus, according to an Egyptian Health Department news release Monday evening.

According to the news release, a female in her 40s is at home and doing well.

The woman already had been following appropriate guidelines to reduce chances of exposure prior to notification of the confirmed results. In addition to the patient and Egyptian Health Department, the Illinois Department of Public Health and the patient's provider are monitoring the patient's condition.

Egyptian Health Department made an announcement about the first Saline County resident to test positive for COVID-19 on March 29. On Saturday, the department announced that a Gallatin County resident had tested positive.

According to Illinois Department of Public Health on Monday, the confirmed total of COVID-19 in the state is 12,262 individuals.

EHD says Saline, Gallatin and White counties, which make up its service area, can expect more cases to be confirmed locally, according to IDPH because:

There are likely a large number of cases with no symptoms in each community that have not been confirmed by a test.

Many people who are ill may not have been tested yet.

Many who have tested positive are no longer contagious as the number of tests being conducted is increasing.

The number of cases can be reduced by adhering to public health guidance on social distancing, washing hands frequently, disinfecting commonly touched surfaces, and staying home when you are ill.