Press Releases
Year
Potential COVID-19 Exposure
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 22, 2020
Contact
Julie Pryde, Administrator
(217) 531-5369 /
Amy Roberts, Public Relations
(217) 531-4264 /
Potential COVID-19 Exposure
Champaign-Urbana Public Health District Announces there is Potential COVID-19 Exposure at a Local Church
CHAMPAIGN, IL – The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD) is reporting that anyone who attended the Rest-Oration Church located at 1720 Philo Road in Urbana between December 12th and today could have been exposed to COVID-19. If you were present during this time period, get tested immediately, self-quarantine, and then retest this weekend. Please stay at home and do not attend any gatherings. If you develop symptoms over the next 14 days, please test again for COVID-19. If you have questions, contact the CUPHD COVID-19 hotline at 217-239-7877 or email
Contact your healthcare provider for testing, or go to the community-based drive-through testing site at Marketplace Mall. The testing site is located on the east side of the mall - enter through the south mall entrance off of Market Street. It is open 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., 7 days a week with the exception of this Friday, December 25, 2020.
The investigation is ongoing. No further information is available at this time.
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COVID-19 Case Investigation and Contact Tracing Efforts
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 21, 2020
Contact
Julie Pryde, Administrator
(217) 531-5369 /
Amy Roberts, Public Relations
(217) 531-4264 /
COVID-19 Case Investigation and Contact Tracing Efforts
Champaign-Urbana Public Health District Encourages Residents to Answer the Call
CHAMPAIGN, IL – The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District’s (CUPHD) COVID-19 Case Investigation and Contact Tracing program is asking residents to answer the call and help slow the spread of COVID-19. By answering the call, you can help keep yourself, your family and your community safe.
Residents who test positive for COVID-19 or are identified as a close contact to a positive case will receive a call from 312-777-1999 or a 217-531 phone number. If a call from either number is missed, individuals are able to call it back and be routed to a case investigation/contact tracing specialist.
During this call, specialists from CUPHD will ask the positive case about their illness and about anyone they may have had close contact with while ill. Staff will also ensure that the person with COVID-19 has the necessary resources needed to stay home and isolate to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Close contacts will be notified and necessary information for quarantine will be provided to them. They will be advised to stay at home, monitor their symptoms and answer daily health assessments sent by CUPHD. Staff will ensure they have the necessary support and resources.
Unfortunately, there are scammers who are taking advantage of this important public health tool of contact tracing by attempting to obtain personal information from unsuspecting people.
It is important to note, CUPHD staff will call from 312-777-1999 OR a 217-531 number, always provide their name, and will never ask for:
- Money
- Debit/Credit Card or Bank Account Information
- Social Security Numbers (SSN)
- Immigration Status
For more information about CUPHD’s case investigation and contact tracing efforts, visit https://www.c-uphd.org/champaign-urbana-illinois-coronavirus-information.html.
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Download 2020-10-20-COVID-Investigation-and-Contact-Tracing-PR
Stay Safe this Halloween by following Recommended Guidance
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 2, 2020
Contact
Julie Pryde, Administrator
(217) 531-5369 /
Amy Roberts, Public Relations
(217) 531-4264 /
Stay Safe this Halloween by following Recommended Guidance
Champaign-Urbana Public Health District Encourages Safety during Halloween Activities
Champaign, IL –The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD) and the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) have issued guidance for safer practices during Halloween this year. Because some of the traditional ways to celebrate this holiday do not allow for proper social distancing, CUPHD encourages all communities throughout Champaign County to follow the guidance to allow for safe Halloween celebrations.
Trick-or-treating events need to incorporate social distancing, masking, and proper handwashing, as well as adherence to event size limitations. For this year, it would be safest to plan special events at home, using social media and other meeting platforms to connect with family and friends. As a reminder, if you think you could have COVID-19 or may have been exposed to someone with COVID-19, you should not participate in in-person Halloween festivities and should not give out candy to trick-or-treaters. Individuals at increased risk for severe illness should not attend in-person Halloween gatherings.
Neighborhood trick-or-treating includes the following:
- As an alternative to door-to-door trick-or-treating, anyone who would like to distribute treats should leave individually wrapped candy or treats on a table, on their front walkways, sidewalks, or any outdoor space that allows for at least 6 feet of social distance from the door. The individually wrapped candy should be spread out so each piece is not touching another. Anyone distributing candy or treats should wash their hands properly for at least 20 seconds before placing the candy on the table and when replenishing.
- All individuals participating in trick-or-treating, including those passing out candy, should maintain social distance of least 6 feet and wear proper face coverings. A costume mask, such as those worn for Halloween, is not a substitute for a face covering. If face coverings are worn under costume masks, please ensure this does not create breathing problems, and if so, discard the costume mask.
- Only household members should trick-or-treat together, and they should maintain 6feet social distance from other trick-or-treaters at all times. Mixed household trick-ortreaters are discouraged.
- Alcohol-based hand sanitizer should be carried and used frequently.
- Candy collected during trick-or-treating should not be consumed until after handwashing. As always, a parent/guardian should check all candy to make sure it is wrapped and should discard unwrapped candy.
- And, of course, practice good dental hygiene as well.
- Outdoor areas are preferred for trick-or-treating. Enclosed indoor areas, like apartment buildings, present greater risk of transmission. Open doors and windows as appropriate to promote increased ventilation.
Additional information on alternative activities, Día de los Muertos, and what to do if you participated in higher-risk activity or think that you may have been exposed during your celebration can be found on CUPHD’s Facebook page and website at: https://www.cuphd.org/champaign-urbana-illinois-coronavirus-information.html.
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