Knox County is launching its emergency operation center to better respond to COVID-19.
The partnership includes the local hospitals, schools, and governments. As of Wednesday, six people have been tested for COVID-19 in Knox County area. Two were negative, and four are pending.
Bob Moore is president of Galesburg Cottage Hospital.
"Our biggest concern now is keeping people out of the ER. The respiratory issues, which usually accounts for somewhere 20, 25 percent on any given day, anyway. We're trying to get them out of the ER, into appropriate places," he said.
Moore said it's important people contact their primary care providers for direction before heading to the emergency department.
OSF Saint Mary Medical Center president Lisa DeKezel says Galesburg's two major hospitals are working together to prepare for COVID-19's arrival in Knox County.
"OSF as a ministry, and OSF St. Mary here locally is preparing diligently, and consistenly here on a daily basis to make sure that we can manage the volume and the surge potential," she said.
The Emergency Operation Center in Knox County also includes Galesburg CUSD 205, Knox County government, the city of Galesburg, the Knox County Health Department, Galesburg Hospitals Ambulance Service, and the Regional Office of Education.
Copyright 2021 WCBU. To see more, visit WCBU. 9(MDIwMjIxMDA0MDE0Mzk4NDIzNjA0OGQ5Yg001))