Coronavirus confirmed in Franklin County

Authorities confirmed a third local case of the novel coronavirus Wednesday afternoon.

In a news release, the Franklin-Williamson Bi-County Health Department reported it had been notifie that a Franklin County resident tested positive for COVID-19.

The individual, a woman in her 50s, is recovering and is at home on isolation, according to the release. The individual is thought to have been exposed to the novel coronavirus through community spread.

The case marks the first for Franklin County since the outbreak began, and the third in the immediate area. On March 18, SIH confirmed a case out of Williamson County. That same day, the Jackson County Health Department reported a case out of Jackson County.

The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Illinois has risen dramatically. According to the Illinois Department of Public Health, as of Wednesday evening, there are 1,865 confirmed cases in the state. So far, 19 Illinoisans have died from the virus.