There are three new COVID-19 cases in the Tri-County area confirmed since Sunday.
Peoria City/County Health Department Administrator Monica Hendrickson said that brings the total to eight positives, 55 negative tests, and 32 pending tests. That includes two new positive cases in Peoria County, and one in Woodford.
The three new positives were found through contact tracing and travel history. There were two new cases in Peoria County, and one in Woodford County.
But Hendrickson points out the numbers don't tell the whole story because many people aren't being tested.
"While we're reporting in the Tri-County, there is eight, and we're reporting that Tazewell County currently doesn't have a confirmed case, that does not mean it's already in the community," she said. "And I think that's why these precautions are really important."
That includes Gov. J.B. Pritzker's stay-at-home order, which runs through April 7.
Hendrickson also said the Federal Aviation Administration has its own process for handling COVID-19 reporting.
That's after the agency reported personnel at the Peoria air traffic control tower tested positive for the novel coronavirus on Saturday. Hendrickson said the FAA investigations are more extensive and don't necessarily loop local agencies into the process.
"I can't speak directly to that case, but I can say that case was reported to a local health department, and that case was reported a while back," she said.
Peoria International Airport Director Gene Olson said the FAA control tower workers have no direct contact with airline passengers or employees. He says the airport is operating normally.
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