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“HENRY & STARK COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT AND HENRY COUNTY OEM NOTE 3RD DOSE COVID SHOTS ONLY FOR IMMUNOCOMPROMISED ONLY AVAILABLE AT FIRST CHOICE HEALTHCARE CLINICS IN KEWANEE & COLONA”
The Henry and Stark County Health Department and the Henry County Office of Emergency remind are residents that beginning Tuesday, August 24, 2021 “Immunocompromised Individuals ONLY” seeking a Third Dose of the Moderna Covid-19 Vaccine can do so on a “Walk-In” basis at our First Choice Healthcare Clinic in Kewanee and “By Appointment” at our Colona location.
“Walk-In” visits for the 3rd dose of Moderna Covid-19 Vaccine will be available at the First Choice Healthcare Kewanee Clinic Tuesday and Thursdays from 8:30am-3:30pm; and at the Colona Clinic by appointment (309-792-4011). Those eligible to participate are ONLY “Immunocompromised Individuals” 18 years of Age and older.
Currently, CDC is recommending that moderately to severely immunocompromised people receive an additional dose. This includes people who have:
Been receiving active cancer treatment for tumors or cancers of the blood
Received an organ transplant and are taking medicine to suppress the immune system
Received a stem cell transplant within the last 2 years or are taking medicine to suppress the immune system
Moderate or severe primary immunodeficiency (such as DiGeorge syndrome, Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome)
Advanced or untreated HIV infection
Active treatment with high-dose corticosteroids or other drugs that may suppress your immune response\
People should talk to their healthcare provider about their medical condition, and whether getting a 3rd dose is appropriate for them.
Please note the following:
Our clinics are giving out only Moderna vaccine at this time. It is recommended that 3rd doses match the brand received in your 1st and 2nd doses (unless no other vaccine is available).
Johnson and Johnson recipients are not currently approved to receive third doses.
You must not have received any type vaccine 28 days prior to seeking your 3rd dose Covid shot.
It remains impractical to speculate on the number of our residents that may seek guidance from their physician and qualify for a 3rd shot. For this reason, we ask you remain patient and flexible as we work to adjust our delivery model to reflect the actual need and demand.
For more information about these 3rd dose Covid shots use this link: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/recommendations/immuno.html or call our First Choice Healthcare Clinics at (309) 852-5272 Kewanee or (309) 792-4011 Colona. Also, stay tuned for announcements on our website, Facebook, Twitter and traditional media sources. Please continue to email any questions to covid@ema-hc.com.
Date: September 30, 2021
“Henry County Officials Announce Seventy-Fifth and Seventy-Sixth COVID-19 Death”
The Henry County Health Department has been notified of a Seventy-Fifth and Seventy-Sixth Coronavirus (COVID-19)-related death in Henry County, Illinois. The individuals: a man in his 50s, and another man in his 70s had tested positive for COVID-19.
“We are deeply saddened to hear of these latest losses of two of our Henry County residents to this illness. Our hearts go out to the family and friends who are mourning the loss of their loved one and we send our sincerest condolences,” Henry County Health Department Administrator Duane Stevens said in a statement.
The Henry County Health Department has announced multiple confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Henry County. Public health officials are working actively to identify and investigate all individuals who were in contact with the cases. Federal privacy restrictions prohibit the release of further information regarding the investigations.
The Health Department notes with expected additional cases coming, residents need to assume that they have been exposed to COVID-19. For a reference of the most current status of confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 in the State please visit the Illinois Department of Public Health’s Covid-19 webpage at
“Stark County Officials Announce Twenty-Seventh COVID-19 Death”
The Stark County Health Department has been notified of a Twenty-Seventh Coronavirus (COVID-19)-related death in Stark County, Illinois. The individual: a woman in her 90s had tested positive for COVID-19.
“We are deeply saddened to hear of these latest losses of one of our Stark County residents to this illness. Our hearts go out to the family and friends who are mourning the loss of their loved one and we send our sincerest condolences,” Stark County Health Department Administrator Duane Stevens said in a statement.
The Stark County Health Department has announced multiple confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Stark County. Public health officials are working actively to identify and investigate all individuals who were in contact with the cases. Federal privacy restrictions prohibit the release of further information regarding the investigations.
The Health Department notes with expected additional cases coming, residents need to assume that they have been exposed to COVID-19. For a reference of the most current status of confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 in the State please visit the Illinois Department of Public Health’s Covid-19 webpage at
“HENRY COUNTY REMAINS AT WARNING LEVEL FOR CORONAVIRUS DISEASE”
The Henry County Health Department is alerting residents that as of Friday, October 22, 2021, our County-Level COVID-19 Risk Metrics remain at orange. Orange status indicates there are warning signs of increased COVID-19 risk in the county. https://dph.illinois.gov/coronavirus/data/countymetrics.html?county=Henry
These metrics are intended to be used for local level awareness for each county’s progress during Phase 5 and will help local leaders, businesses, local health departments, and the public make informed decisions and promote healthy behaviors. Individuals, families, and community groups can use these metrics to help inform their choices about personal and family gatherings, as well as what activities they choose to do.
Henry County COVID-19 cases are on the rise. As of October 21, 2021, we had a total of 6642 confirmed positive and probable Covid-19 cases.
In addition, per the county-level risk metrics provided by the Illinois Department of Public Health: * Henry County new cases are above the 50 mark or more new cases per 100,000 people; as of today we stand at 189 new cases per 100,000; *and Henry County’s weekly ICU Bed Availability percentage is 13.7% below the State’s 20% needed metric trigger mark.
Duane Stevens, Henry County Public Health Administrator states, “It is important our area understand how easily COVID-19 is actively spreading. Henry County is experiencing community spread of the virus, meaning that some people testing positive for COVID-19 are not able to pinpoint when or where they may have become infected. This is happening all over the county, not one particular area or town.”
Another concerning trend, the high percentage of cases being identified in those that remain unvaccinated and many 29 years and younger. The Health Department wants to remind those who have not got vaccinated and young people, the COVID-19 pandemic is not over and it continues to be a serious public health threat. People can easily become infected with COVID-19, not experience symptoms and then pass the virus to others more at risk. Those who are unvaccinated especially and choose not to wear a mask or disregard the importance of social distancing are putting their parents, grandparents, co-workers, and community at risk.
“STARK COUNTY STAYS AT WARNING LEVEL FOR CORONAVIRUS DISEASE”
The Stark County Health Department is alerting residents that as of Friday, October 22, 2021, our County-Level COVID-19 Risk Metrics remain at orange. Orange status indicates there are warning signs of increased COVID-19 risk in the county. https://dph.illinois.gov/coronavirus/data/countymetrics.html?county=Stark
These metrics are intended to be used for local level awareness for each county’s progress during Phase 5 and will help local leaders, businesses, local health departments, and the public make informed decisions and promote healthy behaviors. Individuals, families, and community groups can use these metrics to help inform their choices about personal and family gatherings, as well as what activities they choose to do.
Stark County COVID-19 cases are on the rise. As of October 21, 2021 we had a total of 816 confirmed positive and probable Covid-19 cases.
In addition, per the county-level risk metrics provided by the Illinois Department of Public Health: * Stark County new cases are above the 50 mark or more new cases per 100,000 people; as of today we stand at 240 new cases per 100,000; * and Stark County’s weekly ICU Bed Availability percentage is 13.7% below the State’s 20% needed metric trigger mark.
Duane Stevens, Stark County Public Health Administrator states, “It is important our area understand how easily COVID-19 is actively spreading. Stark County is experiencing community spread of the virus, meaning that some people testing positive for COVID-19 are not able to pinpoint when or where they may have become infected. This is happening all over the county, not one particular area or town.”
Another concerning trend, the high percentage of cases being identified in those that remain unvaccinated and many 29 years and younger. The Health Department wants to remind those who have not got vaccinated and young people, the COVID-19 pandemic is not over and it continues to be a serious public health threat. People can easily become infected with COVID-19, not experience symptoms and then pass the virus to others more at risk. Those who are unvaccinated especially and choose not to wear a mask or disregard the importance of social distancing are putting their parents, grandparents, co-workers, and community at risk.
According to the latest guidance from the CDC, in areas of substantial or high transmission, the CDC recommends that everyone should wear a mask in public indoor settings to help prevent the spread of Covid-19 and variants like Delta and protect others.
Please note, to slow the spread of the highly transmissible COVID-19 Delta variant, all Illinois residents over the age of 2 are required to wear a mask in all indoor settings, effective Monday, August 30th. The requirement is applicable to both vaccinated and unvaccinated residents statewide.
The Health Department and the Henry County Office of Emergency Management are encouraging everyone to do their part and continue to recognize the role they play in helping Stark County slow the spread of COVID-19. We remind local residents, employers, and businesses to note the rising Covid-19 cases numbers and please follow the current Covid-19 mitigation measures (especially the unvaccinated) of getting a Covid-19 vaccination if you are 12 years of age and older; wear a face mask when in public, observe social distances of 6ft, avoid congregate settings, wash and sanitize your hands frequenting.
Please see PDF for updated Bridge Phase EO that aligns the current CDC position on masking with the Governor's intent.
Date: October 19, 2021
“HENRY & STARK COUNTY RELEASES WEEKLY DATA ON CONFIRMED POSITIVE & PROBABLE COVID-19 CASES”
The Henry and Stark County Health Departments announce they have a cumulative total of 6626 “Confirmed Positive” and “Probable” Cases of Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) in Henry County and 814 “Confirmed Positive” and “Probable” Cases in Stark County. The Department is now releasing its weekly “current data” on confirmed positive and probable cases:
Henry County Cumulative Confirmed Positive and Probable Covid-19 Cases: *6626
New Covid-19 Cases in Past Week: *+88
Henry County Deaths: *77
Stark County Cumulative Confirmed Positive and Probable Covid-19 Cases: *814
New Covid-19 Cases in Past Week: *13
Stark County Deaths: *28
Henry & Stark County Cumulative Confirmed Positive & Probable Covid-19 Cases: *7440
Henry & Stark County New Covid-19 Cases in the Past Week: *+101
*Based On Confirmed Positive and Probable Covid-19 Cases As Of 10-19-21, Cumulative & Current Totals. There can be time lags between when a case is confirmed positive/probable and when it is considered active in state and local reporting.
The Department will no longer be listing “active cases” due to on-going challenges with individuals participating fully with contract tracing staff; and the varying isolation and quarantining periods of Covid-19 cases diminishing the accuracy of the weekly numbers.
According to the CDC Data Tracker “Your Community-County View” Chart for the time period, October 13 through October 19, 2021 Henry County is at “High” Level of Community Transmission and Stark County is at “High” Level of Community Transmission. https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#county-view
The Health Department notes, “Following Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance, beginning November 6, 2020 and going forward, IDPH will report confirmed cases and probable cases combined. A confirmed case is laboratory confirmed via molecular test. A probable case meets clinical criteria AND is epidemiologically linked, or has a positive antigen test. If a probable case is later confirmed, the case will be deduplicated and will only be counted once. Probable deaths and confirmed deaths will continue to be reported separately.”
The Health Department notes as we learn more about how the virus is spread throughout our county, state, and nation our reporting mechanisms will change and be tweaked in order to give people a better understanding. By combining the positive by test and probable cases, we now have a greater understanding and more accurate knowledge of the covid-19 virus’ reach and effect in our communities.
The Health Department releases this recovery information on confirmed positive and probable cases in Henry and Stark Counties on a weekly basis.
The Health Department is continuing to release information to urge local residents to remain cautious and vigilant when it comes to community mitigation efforts: get your Covid-19 vaccination and limit infection risks whenever possible. Remember, you must still wear a face coverings when at indoor public places regardless of vaccination status; observe social distancing of at least 6 feet; cover coughs and wash hands frequently.
Date: October 26, 2021
“Henry and Stark County Health Departments Announce Daily Positive Covid-19 Cumulative Cases”
The Henry and Stark County Health Department today Tuesday, October 26th announce a cumulative total of 6680 “Confirmed Positive” and “Probable” Cases of Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) in Henry County and 821 “Confirmed Positive” and “Probable” Cases in Stark County.
The Health Department notes, “Following Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance, beginning November 6, 2020 and going forward, IDPH will report confirmed cases and probable cases combined. A confirmed case is laboratory confirmed via molecular test. A probable case meets clinical criteria AND is epidemiologically linked, or has a positive antigen test. If a probable case is later confirmed, the case will be deduplicated and will only be counted once. Probable deaths and confirmed deaths will continue to be reported separately.”
The Health Department notes as we learn more about how the virus is spread throughout our county, state, and nation our reporting mechanisms will change and be tweaked in order to give people a better understanding. By combining the positive by test and probable cases, we now have a greater understanding and more accurate knowledge of the covid-19 virus’ reach and effect in our communities.
Public health officials are working actively to identify and investigate all individuals who were in contact with the cases. Federal privacy restrictions prohibit the release of further information regarding the investigations.
The Health Department notes with expected additional cases coming, residents need to assume that they have been exposed to COVID-19. For a reference of the most current status of confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 in the State please visit the Illinois Department of Public Health’s Covid-19 webpage at https://dph.illinois.gov/coronavirus.html
Henry County Health Department 110 N. Burr Blvd. Kewanee, IL 61443 309-852-0197 Copyright 2007 All rights reserved
