* Posted in the order they were received. Press release…
Joint Statement on Murray Developmental Center COVID-19 Cases
The following statement can be attributed to State Senator Jason Plummer, State Representative Charles E. Meier, the Illinois Department of Human Services, and the Clinton County Health Department:
The health, safety, and well-being of the residents and employees at Murray Developmental Center are of the utmost importance.
The 56 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the last 19 days, which include 24 residents and 32 Murray Developmental Center staff, are deeply concerning and news we take very seriously. We are taking every precaution for the individuals receiving care and for the staff working at the Murray Developmental Center who have tested positive for COVID-19 – for their families and for their fellow residents and colleagues.
Together, we are urging everyone in Clinton County to work collaboratively in the public interest to limit further spread of COVID-19. We know that Murray Developmental Center is in Illinois’ COVID Region 4, which currently has a 7-day rolling average positivity rate of 16.1%. Currently, the COVID-19 positivity rate in all of Clinton County is 19.5%, exceeding the State target for containing the virus.
To protect the residents and staff of Murray Developmental Center – as well as their families and others in our community – we remind everyone, outside of your home and household: please wear a face covering, wash your hands, and practice social distancing measures.
These actions can save lives and prevent short- and long-term health problems.
* Press release…
Joint Statement on Ludeman Developmental Center COVID-19 Cases
The following statement can be attributed to State Senator Patrick J. Joyce, State Representative Anthony DeLuca, and the Illinois Department of Human Services:
The health, safety, and well-being of the residents and employees at Ludeman Developmental Center are of the utmost importance.
The 46 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the last 18 days, which include 19 residents and 27 Ludeman Developmental Center staff, are deeply concerning and news we take very seriously. We are taking every precaution for the individuals receiving care and for the staff working at the Ludeman Developmental Center who have tested positive for COVID-19 – for their families and for their fellow residents and colleagues.
Together, we are urging everyone in Cook County to work collaboratively in the public interest to limit further spread of COVID-19. We know that Ludeman Developmental Center is in Illinois’ COVID Region 10, which currently has a 7-day rolling average positivity rate of 15.9%. Currently, the COVID-19 positivity rate in all of Cook County is 15.9%, exceeding the State target for containing the virus.
To protect the residents and staff of Ludeman Developmental Center – as well as their families and others in our community – we remind everyone, outside of your home and household: please wear a face covering, wash your hands, and practice social distancing measures.
We will continue to urge area residents to follow the recommendations set forth by the Illinois Department of Public Health and the CDC. These actions can save lives and prevent short- and long-term health problems.
- illini - Tuesday, Nov 17, 20 @ 6:37 pm:
It would be interesting to know how many inmates/guards/staff have tested positive at the Centralia Correctional Center - also located in Clinton County. It is conceivable that the numbers from these two state facilities, if reported daily to the health department, could be a reason to possibly question the accuracy of the total numbers for the county.
- Highland IL - Tuesday, Nov 17, 20 @ 8:11 pm:
I wish Jason and Charlie would have been speaking out about this earlier. They were actually downplaying this pandemic and fighting against the Governor’s recommendations.
The Breese hospital is reporting they are full and their staff is at their breaking point. Sending patients to surrounding hospitals and St. Louis isn’t going to be an option anymore.
- Lewie - Tuesday, Nov 17, 20 @ 8:55 pm:
DHS did a good job of handling an outbreak at Shapiro last spring by intervening and working with DPH,local public health departments and local hospitals. Hopefully, that same coordination will happen with these institutions.
- Leigh John-Ella - Tuesday, Nov 17, 20 @ 9:11 pm:
Thank you to the lawmakers for the rational, responsible reactions and concern for the people in danger in the areas they represent.
- Highland IL - Wednesday, Nov 18, 20 @ 8:04 am:
==Thank you to the lawmakers for the rational, responsible reactions and concern…==
I can’t give either Jason or Charlie any thanks. They’ve been irresponsible every step of the way.
If they were concerned for their constituents they’d have spoken out earlier, and more often.
- Cubs in '16 - Wednesday, Nov 18, 20 @ 8:18 am:
=== They’ve been irresponsible every step of the way.===
Exactly right. Pretending to care after the fact isn’t helping any of those residents.
- theq - Wednesday, Nov 18, 20 @ 8:31 am:
I used to work at Murray, an outbreak there is beyond dangerous. Many of the individuals served there have very serious medical conditions above and beyond developmental disabilities. I hope beyond anything that they can get this under control quickly
- Leigh John-Ella - Wednesday, Nov 18, 20 @ 8:32 am:
I get it. But … If you criticize them for being irresponsible and not doing what you want …
And then they do the responsible thing that you want … you should offer them some support to reinforce the decision.
It’s like parenting or teaching. They’re basically children after all.
If you just don’t like them personally and hate everything they do … well, that locks people into lanes and makes it really hard to govern.
When the Grinch’s heart grew three sizes that day, the residents of Whoville didn’t say: Meh, he’s still the jerk that caused all this (even if it was true).
- anonymous - Wednesday, Nov 18, 20 @ 11:03 am:
As someone whose loved one lives at Murray Center I cannot say enough positive things about the Administrator Lori Demijan, Residential Services Director Kaci McIntosh, and our Medical Director Doctor Shrestha. They have been working 24-7 since we have had the latest outbreak. At this time we have no residents hospitalized, and all are doing very well. All the staff at Murray Center are to be commended for caring for our special residents like they are their own children. We have great hope that we will get through this, and if we do it will be because of the dedicated staff at Murray Center. At this time the outbreak is centered mainly on one cottage, and it is under control.