COVID-19

1/12/2022

The Fulton County Health Department is informing the public about changes to the contact tracing process for COVID-19 Positive Cases.  Positive case numbers and active cases are as high as they have ever been. The Illinois Department of Public Health determined that centralizing contact tracing may help address the high volume of cases for all health departments. As of December 28th, all COVID-19 cases have received an auto message informing them of quarantine/isolation information. As of January 13th, all cases will be sent to the Illinois Department of Public Health Surge Center to help automate the process and to provided individuals with quick access to information. Other states have used this process previously to help reduce call volumes for the local health departments. Moving forward if you need excusal or return to work letters, you will need to request them from this system and follow the instructions in the text message. If you don’t participate in the assessments offered, it will not generate these letters. The Fulton County Health Department cannot issue these letters as they will be part of the centralized contact tracing efforts. Surge Center will be taking over all calls, but if you don’t get a call, that doesn’t mean you don’t need to isolate or quarantine. If there is no call, you still have the ability to follow CDC and IDPH guidelines.  Residents are strongly encouraged to do follow those guidelines to protect yourself and others. Those utilizing home tests should also be aware of precautions to take and should be following them. Residents of the County have the tools to prevent severe illness which include vaccination, boosters, masking, social distancing, handwashing, and disinfection.

Staff at the Fulton County Health Department have worked hard to keep the community informed throughout the pandemic. It’s been a struggle with our low staffing and the large number of programs we provide at the local health department. We have had to maintain a balance. FCHD staff have put in extra hours and we’re grateful for the leadership and support of the Fulton County Board of Health. It is the role of the local health department to help provide resources, reliable information, focus efforts on the prevention of illness, and prepare for emergencies. We are very proud of our staff’s efforts and the community partnerships we have gained during the pandemic. We will continue to serve this community in prevention efforts and right now we need the community to help ensure public safety.  Currently the numbers of active cases are as high as they have ever been since the pandemic began.

“We will continue to provide links on Facebook and our website with information that will help guide actions that are needed. We will be sharing the most updated recommendations on upcoming posts. This is an evolving situation, and we know there’s confusion and frustration when any guidance is revised.  Guidance and information will continue to evolve so please ensure you are following the most up-to-date recommendations. The vaccine is readily available to help reduce severe illness and death.  We encourage everyone to get vaccinated and receive the booster dose when you are eligible. The vaccine is available across this County and free to any resident” says Katie Lynn, Fulton County Health Department Administrator.

The Fulton County Health Department wanted the community to be aware of the contact tracing changes as we will have a more limited role in contact tracing going forward.  Staff at the Fulton County Health Department will continue to address calls and concerns that come in but the Surge Center employees are not FCHD employees. Please understand that FCHD staff will continue to do all that we can to represent Fulton County and to address your calls and concerns as they are heard from you. We do deeply care for this community as you all are our family and friends.

Katie Lynn, MPH, LEHP, REHS

Administrator

Fulton County Health Department

700 E. Oak St.

Canton, Illinois 61520

For up to date data please visit the links below:

Illinois Department of Public Health: https://dph.illinois.gov/covid19.html

CDC: https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#county-view

IDPH Launches Online ‘Vax Verify’ System

Check your COVID-19 vaccination record on new immunization portal

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is launching a new immunization portal, Vax Verify, that will allow Illinois residents 18 years and older to check their COVID-19 vaccination record.  Vax Verify can be accessed at  https://idphportal.illinois.gov.

“As more businesses, events, organizations, and others require proof of vaccination, Illinois residents will be able to confirm using Vax Verify that they have been vaccinated for COVID-19,” said IDPH Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike.  “With the current surge in cases, more people are making the decision to get a COVID-19 vaccine and this new tool will aid residents in confirming their vaccination where needed.”

Illinois State Fair concert goers with tickets for the grandstand track area (also known as Standing Room Only) are required to provide a print or digital copy of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test within the previous 72 hours.  Ticket holders can register in Vax Verify to check their immunization record for documentation of COVID-19 vaccination. 

More and more companies, such as United, Google, Netflix, Morgan Stanley, Saks Fifth Avenue, Ascension Health, and Lyft, are instituting vaccine requirements for at least some of their employees.

The verification system follows best practices to protect confidential health information.  In order to download proof of vaccination, residents will go through a brief, one-time identity verification process to gain access to their immunization history.  The State of Illinois utilizes Experian® as its identity verification service provider.  Individuals who have placed a freeze on their credit will need to unfreeze their credit with Experian® and wait 24 hours before completing the registration process.  After completing registrations, individuals can re-freeze their credit by contacting Experian®. 

After the verification process, individuals can see their own record in the Illinois Comprehensive Automated Immunization Registry Exchange (I-CARE). 

Immunization records are kept confidential and only the individual can access their vaccination history.  Parents should talk with their child’s provider to confirm their vaccination status.  Some individuals with very common names will need to take additional steps to securely prove their identities. 

Go to vaccines.gov or call 1-800-232-0233 to find COVID-19 vaccine locations near you.