Update 4/2: The woman in her 90s who was a resident of Manor Court and is mentioned in this story, died Thursday evening. This is the first coronavirus related death in Jackson County.

Three individuals tested positive for COVID-19 in Jackson County Wednesday, according to a Jackson County Department of Health press release.

The individuals are a male in his 60s, a female in her 20s and a female in her 90s. The first two individuals likely contracted the virus while traveling, while the third individual contracted it locally.

These cases bring the total number of Jackson County cases to 7.

According to a Southern Illinois Healthcare press release, SIH Memorial Hospital of Carbondale is caring for a patient with a confirmed diagnosis of the virus as well.

The release said SIH’s healthcare team took immediate steps to properly isolate and care for the patient.

Public health officials have begun contacting people the individuals may have come in contact with before the diagnosis, the Jackson County release said.

“Through this investigation, public health may place other individuals on home quarantine if they are determined to have had significant exposure,” the release said. “Such individuals may not be symptomatic, but are quarantined for a period of time which allows symptoms to develop and pass, without posing risk to others.”

Individuals contacted by public health officials are asked to respond quickly.

COVID-19 symptoms are similar to those of common respiratory illnesses. Anyone experiencing a fever, cough or difficulty breathing is asked to contact their local healthcare provider.

Additionally, Southern Illinois Healthcare has set up a 24-hour COVID-19 hotline, which can be reached at 1-844-988-7800.

The Daily Egyptian News Desk can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter at @dailyegyptian.

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