Egyptian Health Department reports another COVID-19 death

Another 13 residents have tested positive for COVID-19 in Saline, Gallatin and White counties, the Egyptian Health Department said Wednesday, and a 33rd person in White County has died.

The health department was notified on Wednesday of 13 additional southeastern Illinois residents who have tested positive for coronavirus.

The individuals are:

10 in Saline County: one female teen, four women in their 40s, one male teen, two men in their 40s, one man in his 50s and one in his 60s.

Two in Gallatin County: one man in his 40s and one in his 60s.

One in White County, a teenage girl.

To date in the pandemic, Saline County has had a total of 4,560 lab-confirmed positive cases, and 68 deaths.

White County has had 2,998 lab-confirmed positives and 33 deaths, while Gallatin County has had 866 lab-confirmed positives and seven deaths.

The Illinois Department of Public Health, their health care provider, and the individuals have all been notified and are monitoring the situation.

Public health officials are investigating the new cases, by speaking with individuals who are deemed potential close contacts. As is protocol, public health officials may place other individuals on home quarantine if they are determined to have had significant exposure.

Such individuals may not by symptomatic, but are quarantined for a period of time which allows symptoms to develop and pass, without posing risk to others.

If you are contacted by public health officials, please respond promptly.