PIKE COUNTY, Ill. — Pike County Response to COVID-19:

On May 6, 2020 Pike County Sheriff David Greenwood, Pike County State’s Attorney Zack Boren, Pike County Health Department Administrator Anita Andress, and other Pike County Health Department representatives met at the Health Department to ensure a coordinated county wide response to COVID-19.

All participants agreed to the following statement:

We strongly urge Pike County citizens to continue to comply with all health directives issued by the State of Illinois. Compliance demonstrates mutual respect and care for all members of our community. Compliance has helped to slow the onset of COVID-19 here in Pike County. It is vital to our collective and individual wellbeing to continue to comply with social distancing, public use of face coverings and other protective measures recommended by the CDC.

The Pike County Health Department will continue to perform its state-mandated health inspection role which includes the prevention, monitoring and regulation in the field of Infectious Disease. The Pike County Sheriff’s Department will assist in responding to COVID-19 related incidents. The Pike County State’s Attorney will continue to work cooperatively with both the Health Department and the Sheriff’s Department to promote the public health and welfare of Pike County citizens. Any enforcement will honor procedural due process rights, as outlined in Section 2(c) of the Illinois Department of Public Health Act.

Furthermore, all participants support the Pike County Board’s Regional Recovery resolution, passed at a special meeting of the Pike County Board on May 5, 2020.

Josh Martin, Director of the Pike County Emergency Management Agency, reviewed the statement and voiced his agreement. “The Emergency Operations Center of the Pike County Emergency Management Agency is active and is working closely with the Health Department and local law enforcement to coordinate public safety efforts in Pike County,” Martin stated. “I encourage everyone to do what you can to help slow the spread of COVID-19.”

Pike County Board Chairman Andy Borrowman approved the statement. “Pike County’s workers are all essential employees during this pandemic,” Borrowman stated. “I commend them for all the hard work they are doing to keep people safe.”

Dr. Ronald Johnson, Pike County Health Department Medical Director, also approved the statement. “People need to remember that the more things open up, the more cases and potential fatalities we will have, even in Pike County. I strongly urge citizens to comply with public health directives and honor their responsibilities to each other.”