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For Immediate Release
Date: March 22, 2020
Media Email: COVIDmedia@lakecountyil.gov
Media Phone: 847-377-2001
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Health Department Coronavirus Updates
Lake County, IL. - The Lake County Health Department is reporting 15 new cases of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Lake County since Saturday afternoon. This brings the total number of Lake County residents testing positive for the disease to 80 since the first Lake County case was identified on March 11, 2020.
“Please be vigilant against the spread of this disease by staying home,” said Mark Pfister, Lake County Health Department Executive Director. “If you do need to go out, whether to provide an essential service to our community, to purchase necessities, or to receive medical care, take every precaution to distance yourself at least six feet away from others, cover your cough or sneeze, and wash your hands frequently.”
While public demand for COVID-19 testing remains high, testing is currently only available to high-risk individuals, including people currently hospitalized and those who live or work in congregate settings like long-term health facilities or group homes.
“Let me be perfectly clear – at this time, testing is not available in Illinois for everyone who wants it,” Pfister emphasized. “Instead, everyone needs to follow the ‘stay at home’ order issued by our governor and take social distancing seriously. Together, we can prevent the spread of this highly infectious virus to others.”
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
On Friday, March 20th, Governor Pritzker issued Executive Order 2020-10 requiring all Illinoisans to stay in their homes to prevent the further spread of COVID-19. For more information, please visit: https://www2.illinois.gov/sites/coronavirus/FAQ/Pages/Stay-At-Home-FAQS.aspx
It is critically important that the community follow prescribed preventative measures such as social distancing and the 3 C’s to avoid getting sick:
Clean hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, or use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol;
- Cover your cough and sneeze with a tissue or your elbow; and
- Contain illness by staying home if you are sick.
Social Distancing
- Stay home as much as possible.
- Call to check on family, neighbors, and older adults instead of visiting.
- Check with your healthcare provider about telehealth options.
What to do if you are sick
If you develop a fever and symptoms of respiratory illness, such as cough or shortness of breath, stay home and call your doctor. Distance yourself from others in the household and if possible, stay in your own bedroom and use your own bathroom. Seek medical care right away if your illness is worsening (for example, you have difficulty breathing).
Do not walk into a healthcare facility, urgent care clinic, or hospital before calling. Discuss your symptoms with your doctor. If your doctor believes that you need to be tested for COVID-19, your doctor should refer you to a COVID-19 testing site. The Lake County Health Department should only be contacted to facilitate testing through the State lab for patients who are hospitalized or those who live or work in congregate settings (e.g., schools, long term care facilities, and group homes).
Residents who do not have a primary care provider can contact the Lake County Health Department and Community Health Center at (847) 377-8800 to schedule an appointment.
Blood Donations Needed
People who are healthy and able to donate blood should consider making an appointment at a local blood donation facility. Vitalant (formerly LifeSource) operates two donation locations in Lake County, one in Gurnee and one in Lake Bluff. They are extending their hours and encourage eligible donors to call (877) 258-4525 or visit https://www.vitalant.org/Home.aspx to schedule an appointment. Information on upcoming American Red Cross blood drives can be found at https://www.redcrossblood.org/.
Health Department Service Modifications
The Health Department’s Community Health Centers continue to provide care for patients during this time, and modifications have been made to protect the health and safety of all patients and staff:
- Services are being provided over the phone when possible
- Social distancing measures have been put in place in the clinics
- Non-urgent in-person visits are being rescheduled for 4-6 weeks in the future
- Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) services are provided over the phone, and WIC coupons are provided curb-side
For a full list of changes to health center services, locations, and hours, please visit www.lakecountyil.gov/healthclosures.
Additional Information Visit www.lakecountyil.gov/coronavirus for updates on COVID-19 in Lake County, guidance on preventing the spread of COVID-19, and to sign up for the Health Department’s COVID-19 email newsletter. The Health Department has established an email address, COVID19@lakecountyil.gov, to answer general questions from the community. The Health Department will not use this service to offer medical advice or answer questions related to people who test positive for COVID-19. If you have personal medical questions, contact your healthcare provider.
For a list of government closures, visit: www.lakecountyil.gov/closures
If you need assistance finding food, shelter, rent or utility assistance, or other essential services, CALL 211 or TEXT your zip code to 898211 to speak with someone who can help 24/7. For more information, visit https://211lakecounty.org/. Additional resources can be found at https://www.lakecountyil.gov/GetHelp.
For general state and national information, please call the Illinois State Hotline at 1-800-899-3931, or visit the Illinois Department of Public Health website at http://dph.illinois.gov/, or the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website at https://www.coronavirus.gov/.
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