JEFFERSON COUNTY — The Jefferson County Health Department has been notified of 1 additional positive case of COVID-19 in a Jefferson County resident.

The male is in his 50’s and is in isolation at home.

Jefferson County Health Department continues to investigate each case ensuring the isolation of the positive patient. In addition the Health Department places close contacts that have had exposure to the positive patient on quarantine for a minimum of 14 days. This would allow symptoms to develop and pass without posing risk to others. If you are contacted by public health officials, please respond promptly.

To date there have been 12 lab-confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 in Jefferson County and one death.

Public Health officials expect more positive cases to be confirmed locally. The number of cases can be reduced by adhering to the stay at home order, washing hands frequently, disinfecting commonly touched surfaces, and maintaining space of at least six feet from others.

Refer to trusted sources for information including the Jefferson County Health Department Facebook page, Illinois Department of Public Health, and CDC.