PEORIA, Ill. — Peoria health officials are taking a proactive approach in dealing with the spread of the coronavirus.
The Peoria Health City/County Department has opened an emergency operations center in response to Covid-19.
Public Health Administrator Monica Hendrickson says the center is the first step in preparing and coordinating a Peoria County response to the possible appearance of the virus locally.
“We want to make sure that we have a common operating picture as well as mechanisms to share reliable public information,” said Hendrickson.
The virus has primarily been confined to the Chicago area, but Hendrickson says it is only a matter of time before it appears in Peoria County.
“I think in what we saw in China and other countries, I think it is safe to say there is an eventuality that we will see Covid-19 in our community,” said Hendrickson.
The state has set up a 24-hour hotline to answer questions from Illinoisans about the coronavirus. The number is 1-800-889-3931.
You can also email questions to DPH.SICK@Illinois.gov.
