Pritzker Announces Funding to Expand COVID-19 Contact Tracing Efforts

CHICAGO – As the state continues to build out a robust COVID-19 testing and tracing infrastructure, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) today announced a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for public health organizations to assist with contact tracing efforts.

Through the NOFO, IDPH will award a grant to one organization in each of the nine regions outlined in Governor Pritzker’s COVID-19 resurgence mitigation plan, with Cook County and Chicago standing up their own contact tracing programs with community organizations. Each of these nine organizations will serve as coordinators in their region, awarding sub-grants to community-based organizations in their region who can most effectively conduct tracing, education and outreach in their communities.  The NOFO will be available on the IDPH website on Friday, July 24, 2020.

“Today I’m proud to announce that applications for community-based organizations to obtain funding through IDPH to collaborate with local health departments will open on Friday. This opportunity – called the COVID-19 Pandemic Health Navigator Program – is geared toward organizations able to serve as coordinators for their region, sub-awarding to other agencies, across three main areas of work: education and outreach, contact tracing, and resource coordination for those who need to isolate,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Because Chicago and its immediate suburbs are running their own community programs, these partnerships will be with regional leaders outside of Cook County. Most important to our ability to minimize outbreaks is the efforts of everyday people to do their part: if one of our statewide force of 1,600 contact tracers calls you, please answer.”

The funding will assist organizations in contact tracing efforts through the following three areas:

  1. Provide education and outreach to promote everyday preventive actions to help slow the spread of COVID-19, as well as identify populations at greater risk of infection, and provide information to breakdown myths and rumors.

  2. Conduct contact tracing through interviews and provide follow up information for close contacts of confirmed COVID-19 cases.

  3. Coordinate resources, such as food, laundry, and even housing if needed, for cases or close contacts of cases who need to isolate or quarantine.

Expanding contact tracing efforts on a regional level will allow local organizations to serve as coordinators for their community and give them the ability to grant funds to other local agencies. To apply, an organization must be a GATA (Grant Accountability and Transparency Act) certified tax-exempt organization.

“By working with established community-based organizations, we are hoping to reach people who may be at higher risk of infection, but hesitant to talk with health officials,” said IDPH Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike.  “We need people who are trusted in communities across the state to let people who have been in close contact with a confirmed case know that they need to monitor their health and take steps to potentially prevent spread of the virus to their family, friends, co-workers, and other community members.  This is how we will help prevent outbreaks and the need to close businesses or institute other temporary restrictions.”

IDPH continues to work closely with local health departments in Illinois. Currently, the department has executed grant agreements with 57 local health departments across the state, about 60 percent of all local health departments, to enhance contact tracing efforts. These local health departments will receive $50 million in contact tracing funding over the next two weeks. IDPH is also finalizing agreements with the remaining 40 local health departments. In total, grants to local health departments for contact tracing amount to more than $215 million.

More than 1,600 contact tracers are currently available in Illinois. The number of staff needed to conduct contact tracing varies depending on several factors, including:

 

  • Number of people seeking medical care or testing 

  • Number of new cases per day

  • Amount of time that has passed from when symptoms start to positive test results

  • Number of contacts identified of each confirmed case

  • How quickly patients are isolated, and contacts are notified and advised to stay home, self-monitor, and maintain social distance from others

In addition to grants, IDPH has contracted with a software application platform to ensure contact tracers across the state are collecting all the same information and in the same way. A virtual call center is also being established to ensure critical call information is accurately conveyed.  Additionally, IDPH has enlisted Partners in Health (PIH) as a consultant to help build the contact tracing program in Illinois. PIH has received acclaim for their contact tracing work in Massachusetts and is providing IDPH with technical assistance, including lessons learned through working with jurisdictions nationwide.

 

Tuesday Night Crash Sends 2 To Hospital

ISP INVESTIGATES TRAFFIC CRASH WITH INJURY

The Following Preliminary Information is Being Released by Illinois State Police District 12

 

WHAT:                      Two Vehicle Crash with Injuries.

  

WHERE:                   US Route 51 at Community Beach Road, Marion County                                                           

 

WHEN:                      Tuesday July 21, 2020 at 8:30 P.M.          

  

VEHICLES:              Unit 1 - White 2006 Ford Explorer

                                    Unit 2 – Silver 2010 Honda

                                   

DRIVERS:                 Unit 1 - Lawrence Simms, a 32 year old male from Centralia, IL – Refused medical attention.

                                    Unit 2 - Brandon M. Hilmes, a 49 year old male from Centralia, IL – Transported by ambulance to an area hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

                         

PASSENGERS:         Unit 1 - Emmanuel R. Robinson, a 26 year old male from St. Louis, MO – Refused medical attention.

                                    Unit 1 - Imani D. Davis, an 18 year old female from Centralia, IL - Transported by ambulance to an area hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

                                    Unit 1 - Dalante T. White, a 24 year old male from Centralia, IL – Refused medical attention.

                                    Unit 1 - Alexandrea A. Koch, a 19 year old female from Centralia, IL – Refused medical attention.

                                               

PRELIMINARY:      Preliminary investigative details indicate the following occurred: Unit 2 was stopped on US 51 southbound, waiting to turn left onto Community Beach Road.  Unit 1 was also traveling southbound on US 51, directly behind unit 2. Unit 1 failed to stop and struck the rear of unit 2. No further information will be disseminated at this time.

 

All subjects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law

 

Heavy Rain Factor In I-70 Crash

ISP INVESTIGATES TRAFFIC CRASH WITH INJURY

The Following Preliminary Information is Being Released by Illinois State Police District 12

WHAT: Two Vehicle Crash with Injury

WHERE: Interstate 70 westbound at Mile Post 112

WHEN: July 21, 2020 at 3:01 P.M.

VEHICLES: Unit 1 – White 2000 Buick

Unit 2 – Yellow 2014 Freightliner truck tractor semi-trailer

DRIVERS: Unit 1 – Wayne R. Whalen, a 62 year old male from Martinsville, IL – Transported by ambulance to an area hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

Unit 2 – Ahmed M. Sankus, a 22 year old male from Mechanicsburg, PA – Refused medical attention.

PRELIMINARY: Preliminary investigative details indicate the following occurred: Unit 1 was eastbound on Interstate 70 at milepost 112. Unit 2 was westbound at the same location. The driver of unit 1 lost control of his vehicle in the heavy rain and went through the median into the westbound lanes. Unit 1 spun in the westbound lanes and was facing westbound. Unit 2 struck the rear of unit 1. The driver of unit 1 was transported to an area hospital with non-life threatening injuries. The driver of unit 2 refused medical attention. No further information will be disseminated at this time. All subjects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law

School Supply Signup For MCHS Students Underway

Sign up for the Operation Share School Supply Program is currently underway for High School students in Wabash County. Families needing help with obtaining school supplies for MCHS students should call the Wabash County WADI office at 618-262-4151 between the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday to register. Distribution will be August 6th.

Donations of school supplies, masks, hand sanitizer, disinfectant wipes, gym shoes or cash donations are greatly appreciated. They can be dropped off or mailed to WADI at 119 W. 12th Street in Mt. Carmel. Checks should be made out to WADI with “school supplies” on the memo line. 100% of donations go to the school supply program.

Operation Share is a joint effort of Wabash Area Development, Inc. and the Wabash County Ministerial Association.

Energy Assistance Available Starting Monday; Income Guidelines Changed To Benefit More People

Wabash Area Development Inc. (WADI) will be taking applications for the Energy Assistance Program for the Southeastern Illinois counties of Edwards, Gallatin, Hamilton, Saline, Wabash, Wayne, and White starting July 27, 2020.

Any household may apply starting July 27, 2020 given there are no priority periods this year. Households in need of energy assistance, especially those with disconnection notices, high past due balances and the general population that has been most likely affected by wage fluctuations due to COVID-19 are encouraged to apply. In addition, propane customers are strongly encouraged to apply in August when prices are at its lowest. Reconnection Assistance is also available. You must be disconnected or have a disconnect notice to qualify for this component. Customers using propane – tanks at 25% or less are considered emergencies.

Energy Assistance applications are taken on a first-come, first serve basis. Applications will be taken through June 30, 2021, or until funding is exhausted.

The 30-day income guidelines have increased and are now based on 200% of the Federal Poverty Level. A single-person household can qualify with a monthly income for up to $2,127, a two person household up to $2,873, a three-person household up to $3,620, and a family of four up to $4,367. Benefits are paid directly to utilities or energy vendors on behalf of eligible households. The exception is households whose heating costs are included in their rent.

The Percentage of Income Payment Plan (PIPP) program is a bill payment program that assists eligible customers by paying a monthly state benefit while the customer pays a percentage of their household income. Eligible households must be a customer of Ameren Illinois. PIPP applicants will be enrolled on a first-come, first-served basis starting July 27, 2020 and the program will be offered until WADI has reached the maximum capacity of households for the program. The 30-day income guidelines for PIPP are based on 150% of the Federal Poverty Level and the number of persons living in the household. The guidelines are as follows: 1-$1,595, 2-$2,155, 3-$2,715, 4-$3,275 (add $560 for each additional household member).

Due to social distancing guidelines, the application process has changed. Applicants are encouraged to call a county office to complete an application over the telephone.

You will need to submit the following documents after your phone application to your local WADI office:

v Proof of gross income for everyone in the household for the 30 day period beginning with the application date

v A copy of your current heat and electric bills that are in your name issued within the last 30 days (if energy is paid for)

v Proof of Social Security numbers for all household members

v If receiving assistance from Illinois Department of Human Services, bring proof your household received cash assistance or other benefits (Medicaid, SNAP, etc.)

How to submit documentation after your phone application:

v You may e-mail documents to your local County Manager

v You may drop off documents to your local WADI office in the drop box

v You may mail your documents by regular mail to your local WADI office

Due to COVID-19, our offices are still CLOSED to the public. We are still providing services. Please contact your local WADI Office for additional information:

Edwards County- 1-618-445-2379 Wabash County- 1-618-262-4151

Hamilton County- 1-618-643-2161 Wayne County- 1-618-842-2962

Saline/Gallatin County- 1-618-252-2680 White County- 1-618-384-5541

County Board Makes Appointment

County commissioners this week re-appointed Merle Raber to a five-year term on the Bonpas River Conservancy District retroactive to December of last year.

And, they also voted to re-allocate tourism money intended to promote Ag Days to instead promote the ongoing mini-Ag Days events scheduled throughout the summer. Ag Days itself was cancelled, and the smaller events have replaced it.

WCHD Hires Contact Tracer

With the help of a grant, the Wabash County Health Department now employs one full-time contact tracer to deal with COVID-19 positive tests that pop up. Administrator Judy Wissel also told the County Board Monday that they may hire two additional part-time tracers, and that they will be used to assist Edwards County in their cases as well. In addition, new tracer software will go live on July 30th.