Sarah Bush Lincoln and Illinois Department of Public Health officials confirm a central Illinois resident has tested positive for the coronavirus disease.
Hospital officials say the patient was recently treated in the Sarah Bush Lincoln emergency room.
The Illinois Department of Public Health notified the facility on Friday the person was positive for COVID-19.
Sarah Bush Lincoln Director of Public Relations Patty Peterson told News Watch the patient resides in the 10-county service area of the facility, but other information about the person couldn't be released due to patient confidentiality requirements.
On Saturday, the Illinois Department of Public Health announced the patient is a Cumberland County resident in his 70s.
Health officials say the patient is in self-quarantine at home.
Possible exposures and travel histories are still being investigated, and public health officials are working to identify and contact all individuals who are close contacts.
On Friday, the Charleston and Mattoon fire departments put up a Mutual Aid Box Alarm System tent outside of the SBLHC ER as a precautionary measure.
Sarah Bush officials say the heated tent will provide additional triage space in case of a sudden influx of patients due to COVID-19.
Peterson says the hospital has tested several people for the virus, but there are no other positive results at this time.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says symptoms of the coronavirus include fever, cough, and shortness of breath.
Health officials say symptoms may appear two to 14 days after exposure.
As of Saturday afternoon, the Illinois Department of Public Health reports 64 cases of the coronavirus in the state, but that number is expected to rise.
Additional postive COVID-19 tests have been reported outside of the Chicago area, including a Woodford County man in his 70s and two women in St. Clair county, one in her 60s and another in her 70s.
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