COVID report: 3 deaths reported Wednesday bringing death toll to 40 in Bureau County

The Bureau, Putnam & Marshall County Health Departments reported on Wednesday, Nov. 25, the death of three COVID-19-related deaths in Bureau County.

The victims were a man in his 80s and two women, one in her 70s and the other in her 80s.

This brings the total number of COVID-19-related deaths in the Bureau, Putnam & Marshall County Health Departments service area to 45. There have been 40 COVID-19-related deaths in Bureau County and five in Marshall County.

There have been five deaths reported in Bureau County in the past 24 hours.

“On behalf of the entire staff at the Bureau, Putnam and Marshall County Health Departments, I extend our deepest sympathy to the families and friends of these victims of COVID-19,” said Hector Gomez, administrator of the BPMHCD.

As of last night, 6,133 in Illinois were reported to be in the hospital with COVID-19. Of those, 1,208 patients were in the ICU and 679 patients with COVID-19 were on ventilators.

"These ICU and ventilator numbers are continuing to rise,” Gomez said. “The only way to slow the spread of this disease until medical interventions become widely available is to follow the guidelines.”

Gomez reminded residents to remember to stay at home whenever possible and, when you must go out, make sure that you:

• Distance. Distance. Distance.

• Wear a facemask or other face cover in public, especially when distancing is not possible.

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.

• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.

• Avoid crowds and large gatherings, especially if you see that people are not following guidance for distancing and masks.

• Avoid any locations where employees or staff are not following guidelines and/or not encouraging customers and patrons to do the same.