Big outbreak of COVID cases in correctional facility

More than 225 cases of COVID-19 has been reported at a Perry County correctional facility in the past four days, driving the total of active cases in Perry County to 456, according to a Perry County Health Department news release on Monday.

The 227 laboratory-confirmed cases at the unnamed correctional facility are the great majority of the 279 new cases reported since late last week.

According to the health department, the correctional facility is fully cooperating with the Perry County Health Department.

No other details have been released.

Also, the department says a Perry County man in his 80s has died, bringing the county death toll due to COVID, to 46.

Of the 52 non-correctional facility patients:

Friday, Dec. 18: 1 girl under 5; two boys under 6; 1 female under 19; 1 woman and two men in her 20s; four women in their 30s; three women and three men in their 40s; five men in their 50s; one woman in her 60s; one man in his 70s; and one woman in her 80s.

Saturday, Dec. 19: 1 woman and two men in her 20s; two women and three men in their 30s; two women and one man in their 40s; one man in his 50s; and two women and two men in their 70s.

Sunday, Dec. 20: 1 woman and one man in their 40s; one woman in her 50s; one woman and one man in their 60s.

Monday, Dec. 21: 1 female under 19; one man in his 30s; two women and one man in their 40s; one man in his 50s.

The summary of Perry County's known 1,896 cases are 456 active cases; 1,394 patients released from isolation, and 46 deaths.

The Perry County Health Department is currently monitoring this situation along with the Illinois Department of Public Health, both local hospitals in Perry County and local emergency management authorities.

Anyone experiencing symptoms of respiratory illness, such as fever, cough, or difficulty breathing, should call their health care provider for medical advice. The health department urges residents to stay home as much as possible, continue social distancing of 6 feet or more, avoid large groups or gatherings of people, wash your hands frequently, and use a cloth face coverings in community settings.

For any additional updates or educational information, visit The Perry County Health Department's Facebook page.