Four New COVID-19 Cases at Neoga Care Center, Third Case This Week in Effingham County Reported Thursday

Four residents of a Neoga care facility have contracted positive cases of COVID-19.

Michelle Black of the Cumberland County Health Department said Heartland Senior Living in Neoga reported the four residents are isolated in a separate wing of the care facility and designated staff members are caring for them.

Black said the facility is not aware of how the virus was contracted by the residents.

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Meanwhile, Effingham County Health Department received notice Thursday of a third positive case of COVID-19 this week. 

A female in her 20s has had no known contact with a COVID case, and is doing well on isolation.

The Health Department is encouraging those out and about over the holiday weekend to wear a face covering, wash your hands frequently, maintain a distance from others of at least six feet, and disinfect frequently touched surfaces.

Statewide, 869 new cases of COVID-19 were reported Thursday. 36 COVID-related deaths were reported Thursday, 28 of those in Cook County.

The preliminary seven-day total of positive cases compared to the number of samples taken 2.6%. More than 30,000 specimens were collected in the 24-hour period ending at 2pm Thursday.

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The Shelby County Health Department also reported its 19th positive COVID-19 case Thursday.

The 53-year-old woman is employed at a long-term care facility in an adjoining county, and was tested as part of a screening process at the facility, due to potential exposure. She was tested on Wednesday and ordered to isolate.