Greetings from your Public Health Administrator, Elizabeth Patton-Whiteside, RN, BSN, MBA

To Our Clients and Guest,

As we continue to feel the increased impact of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) on our community, East Side Health District feels that it is important to share with you steps that we are taking to help keep you, our clients, guests and employees, safe and healthy.  Let me reassure you that we have protocols in place that align with our sister agency, St. Clair county Health Department (SCCHD), under guidance from the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

Your health and safety are our number one priority.  We consider ourselves to be a part of this great Metro East Community.  As such, we are continuing to investigate all possible exposures to COVID-19 in accordance to IDPH and CDC guidelines.

As part of our protocols, our agency has heightened its cleaning and disinfecting procedures to maintain a healthy environment for our clients, guests and employees.  We have instructed anyone who is not feeling well to stay home out of an abundance of caution and to contact their doctor immediately if they experience any COVID-19 symptoms.

The East Side Health District (ESHD) Board of Health is urging everyone to heed Governor Pitzer’s orders cancelling all public and private events of fifty (50) people or more except venues that provide essential goods or services, i.e., grocery stores, hospitals, pharmacies, gas stations banks/credit unions and shelters.

As things progress, we may implement additional preventative measures to ensure the well-being of our clients, guests and employees, which may include but not be limited to, staffing or service modifications.

Thank you in advance for your patience as we navigate these uncertain times.  Our aim is to serve and protect you all.

Respectfully,

Elizabeth Patton-Whiteside

Elizabeth Patton-Whiteside, RN, BSN, MBA

Public Health Administrator

WIC COVID-19 Hours

WIC services will be provided through curbside pick up only.  Please call (618-874-4713) when you arrive at the clinic.

New Clinic hours:

East St. louis Clinic          Monday-Friday          8am – 4:30pm

Cahokia Clinic                  Monday-Wednesday          8am – 4:30pm

Fairmont City Clinic        Thursday – Friday          8am –  4:30pm

 Illinois Novel Coronavirus Hotline

The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) in coordination with the Illinois Poison Control Center have launched the Illinois Novel Coronavirus Hotline and email address to answer questions Local Health Departments, clinicians, and the general public may have regarding the 2019 novel Coronavirus.

The hotline and email address were created to provide consistent information, answer questions, share facts about symptoms, and provide up-to-date information from the CDC.

Illinoisans can dial 1-800-889-3931 twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week or email DPH.SICK@ILLINOIS.GOV to get their questions answered.

This link then links to CDC – http://www.dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/diseases-and-conditions/diseases-a-z-list/coronavirus

COVID-19 Food Ordinance

Grocery Stores, convenience stores and food service facilities with self-serve items.

In response to the COVID-19, we are wanting to clarify the guidance that you have received concerning the food and beverages you can provide during this time.

In an effort to maximize social distancing and restrict where people can gather, to stop or slow the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) or other infectious diseases in the communities we are informing you that self-service items, including items on roller grills, salad bars, fresh food bars that are not prepackaged should not be available for the customer to serve themselves. It is also recommended that self-service fountain soda and coffee are to be prohibited at this time. It is recommended that roller grill items be removed from the grill by an employee and the prepared sandwich be handed to the customer.

The Executive Order does limit gatherings to no more than ten people and requires distancing. If you are going to continue to allow self-service at the fountain soda station, every effort to maintain the 6-foot separation between customers be followed, as well as increased sanitation of the area. Again, it is recommended that self-service, fountain coffee and soda not be used due to the potential of the virus to live on inanimate objects for up to 48 hours. It is recommended that an employee fill cups and make sandwiches rather than allow self-service.

Foods that are pre-packaged and available for purchase (like rotisserie chicken and packages of deli sides) remain acceptable options for purchase.

We appreciate your cooperation and interest in protecting the public health. Should you have any questions or need additional information during these changing recommendations, please contact East Side Health District, Environmental Programs Division at 618-271-8722 Ext. 538.