ROCKFORD — The new coronavirus has spread to Winnebago County.

The first positive case is of a man in his 60s who lives in rural Winnebago County. He is recovering at home, said Sandra Martell, administrator of the Winnebago County Health Department.

"He was initially seen and evaluated by Immediate Urgent Care, was transported by EMS to the hospital and tested positive," she said. "He is home and doing well. He had no identified risk of travel or contact with another case of COVID-19, but that clinical picture suggests a community transmission."

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The man was treated at Mercyhealth’s Javon Bea Hospital-Riverside. According to the hospital, the patient was in full isolation during his stay.

Health officials are continuing to investigate the victim's whereabouts during the weeks leading up to the diagnosis to determine the extent of any possible exposure to others.

Martell held a news conference Sunday following Gov. JB Pritzker's daily COVID-19 news briefing, at which state officials reported the state's COVID-19 case total had reached 93 and confirmed new cases in several new counties.

Counties reporting new cases of COVID-19 at Pritzker's news briefing were Champaign, Clinton, Sangamon, Winnebago and Whiteside.

"The number of positive test results that we’re getting each day is increasing exponentially, and the number of counties across Illinois also is expanding," said Dr. Ngozi Ezike, director of the Illinois Department of Public Health. "People should assume that this novel coronavirus is in their communities, and we all need to take steps to protect ourselves and reduce the spread."

Ezike urged residents to limit close contact with others, especially older people and people of all ages who have chronic medical conditions, as those populations are at higher risk of developing serious illness.

"It is important to reduce the amount of virus circulating in the community. This happens by reducing the number of people who come in contact with the virus," Ezike said. "Bottom line, stay home as much as possible. If you do have to go out, please practice good health actions."

Martell was joined at the Rockford news conference by County Board Chairman Frank Haney, Mayor Tom McNamara and officials from Mercyhealth, SwedishAmerican Hospital and OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center.

"We anticipated seeing cases of COVID-19 in our community and the system was prepared and acted appropriately," Martell said. "Our health care providers stand today in solidarity to respond and take care of residents with COVID-19."

Dr. John Dorsey, Mercyhealth chief medical officer, told anyone who feels sick and not in need of emergency care to first call a health care provider and "not show up at emergency rooms."

He added: "Now, I want to make sure that people clearly understand that if they have any severe symptoms such as difficulty breathing, they should seek care immediately. And older folks and individuals who have underlying medical conditions or are immune-compromised, it's better for them to contact their physicians earlier in the course of even a mild illness."

The first case of COVID-19 in the United States was reported Jan. 21 and the first confirmed case in Illinois, involving a Chicago resident, was announced Jan. 24. The first cases outside Chicago and Cook County were reported March 11 in Kane and McHenry counties.

There have been no deaths in Illinois related to COVID-19, officials said.

The Whiteside County resident who tested positive also had no known exposure to COVID-19 through travel or contact with a confirmed case, local health officials said. The individual also is recovering at home.

On March 9, Pritzker issued a disaster proclamation that gives the state access to federal and state resources to combat the spread of the virus.

Health departments in Winnebago, Boone, DeKalb and Ogle counties on Thursday issued a joint statement recommending that businesses, institutions, and organizations suspend all public gatherings and events of 25 people or more until further notice.

On Friday, Pritzker closed all public and private K-12 schools in Illinois for a two-week period starting Tuesday through March 30.

On Sunday, he closed all of the state's bars and dine-in restaurants to the public for two weeks.

Local and state officials on Sunday continued to stress the importance of proper hand-washing and social distancing.

While there has been a run on hand sanitizer, Martell said washing your hands with soap and water is the "gold standard."

Because hand-washing is crucial to attempts to limit the spread of the virus, the City of Rockford has put a temporary stop on its practice of disconnecting water service due to failure to pay.

"Obviously, customers will still be responsible for their water use," McNamara said. "But during this time you will not be disconnected for nonpayment."

Chris Green: 815-987-1241; cgreen@rrstar.com; @chrisfgreen; Corina Curry: 815-987-1371; ccurry@rrstar.com; @corinacurry