PEORIA, Ill. – Peoria has its first confirmed case of a positive COVID-19 test.
The patient was tested Friday, March 13 at a UnityPoint Health clinic.
The patient, a Woodford County man in his 70s, was then sent home to recover in isolation.
The Illinois Department of Public Health was notified of the case, and UnityPoint President and CEO Dr. Keith Knepp then sent out an e-mail to employees saying the hospital was working with the IDPH in identifying individuals who came into contact with the patient in recent times.
In the memo obtained by WMBD News, Knepp said the test did not come as a surprise, with how quickly and widely the coronavirus has spread.
Knepp said the case has changed the way UnityPoint will operate until further notice.
“We’re not admitting any visitors unless they’re determined to be critically essential to the patient’s wellbeing,” he said.
“We know there are needed exceptions for that. Some of those exceptions would be end-of-life care, childbirth, and those situations when a patient’s visitors are considered to be essential for the patient’s wellbeing and care.
“And, visitors allowed within our facilities must be healthy.”
Woodford County Health Department Administrator Hillary Aggertt said her organization was doing work to determine other possible cases.
“We are investigating and notifying any individuals who may have had exposure to the individual who tested positive,” she said.
“The Peoria region is taking steps to increase its testing capacity, and will share new information on testing as soon as it becomes available.”
Knepp said a limited amount of testing resources make it essential for people felling ill to contact their primary care physicians before visiting healthcare facilities.
