March 25, 2020
Dear Neighbors,
During this unprecedented time, I want to do as much as I can to keep you informed with news and information related to COVID-19 in Lake County. I will continue to send you this newsletter twice a month or more frequently. Additionally, I encourage you to visit this link to subscribe to important updates from the Lake County Health Department.
Please know that Lake County government staff are working tirelessly to minimize the spread of COVID-19 in our community, and to provide you with information and resources that you need to navigate during this most unsettling time. Please visit lakecountyil.gov/coronavirus for the most up-to-date information. If you can’t find what you’re looking for, please email me and I will pass your question on to our Lake County staff.
As you know, Illinois is under a “stay-at-home" order until at least April 7. Read more below about what that means. It is imperative that all of us comply with that order to protect the health of ourselves, our loved ones and our neighbors.
Take care,
 
Coronavirus Disease Update
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Lake County Update
Number of cases: The Lake County Health Department is monitoring the number of people in Lake County who have tested positive for COVID-19, and posts a daily update at
www.lakecountyil.gov/coronavirus. As of March 24, there have been a total of 115 cases.
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COVID-19 Testing: While public demand for COVID-19 testing remains high, testing is NOT
available in Illinois for everyone who wants it. Testing is only currently available to high-risk individuals, including people who are currently hospitalized and those who live or work in group settings like long-term health facilities or group homes.
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If you believe you need to be tested, contact your healthcare professional. Watch a video with Lake County Medical Epidemiolgist Dr. Sana Ahmed to learn more about who should be tested and what to do if you are sick.
How you can protect yourself and others:
Researchers have found that staying at least six feet away from other people lessens your chances of catching or spreading COVID-19. The safest thing that we can do to protect our health and our loved ones is to all take precautions.
This means that we all should
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Maintain a distance of six feet away from another person wherever possible
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Diligently follow the governor’s stay-at-home order
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Wash hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, or use hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol, especially when going out to do essential tasks like going to the grocery story or pharmacy
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Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash. If no tissue is available, cough or sneeze into your elbow or upper sleeve
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Stay home if we are feeling sick
Learn more about how to protect yourself
If you develop a fever and symptoms of respiratory illness, such as a cough and shortness of breath, stay home. Distance yourself from others in the household and if possible, stay in your own bedroom and use your own bathroom.
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Seek medical care right away if your illness is worsening (for example, if 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, they should refer you to a COVID-19 testing site.
Status of Lake County Government
Operations
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Government Closures and Service Modifications: Lake County Government is focused on protecting the health and safety of the community and our employees while continuing to deliver services to the greatest extent possible for the people and organizations we serve.
Lake County Government Operations:
Operations that involve public safety, public utilities, and waste management
are continuing uninterrupted. County departments are reachable by phone and email during normal working hours, and are offering online services, drop boxes, and drop off locations.
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Health Department Closures and Modifications: The Health Department’s Community Health Centers continue to care for patients during this time, and modifications have been made to protect the health and safety of all patients and staff:
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Services are being provided over the phone when possible
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Social distancing measures have been put in place at the clinics
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Non-urgent in-person visits are being rescheduled for 4-6 weeks in the future
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Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) services are provided over the phone, and WIC coupons are provided via curb-side pick-up
Lake County Forest Preserves:
The Lake County Forest Preserves remains committed to supporting the health and safety of our employees, visitors, and residents and to assist in slowing down the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19). Forest Preserve facilities, including Dog Exercise Areas, are closed in an effort to reduce close contact by members of the public. Dogs are permitted on leash at all other forest preserve trails, except Independence Grove in Libertyville, Ryerson Woods in Riverwoods and portions of Lakewood in Wauconda.
Stay At Home Order—What That Means
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The “stay-at-home" order issued by Illinois Gov. J.B. Prtizker remains in effect through Tuesday, April 7. The order is in place to protect the health of people in our community and the health care system.
While Lake County residents can still go to grocery stores, put gas in their cars, take walks outside, make pharmacy runs, visit healthcare facilities, and get food for take-out and delivery, it is important for people to stay home and to cease all non-essential personal and business activities.
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Save the Pipes - Don't Flush Wipes!
With many stores selling out of toilet paper quickly, and residents turning to alternatives like wipes and paper towels, the Lake County Public Works Department is asking customers to please refrain from disposing of certain products down your toilet.
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When flushed, products like disinfecting wipes, 'flushable' wipes and paper towels cause clogs which can cause damage to the sewer pipes in your home and yard, the sewer system in your neighborhood, Lake County’s pumps and treatment facilities, and the environment.
Learn more
Respond to the Census
While you’re home, you can respond to the U.S. Census online. Even if you have not yet received the Census invite letter with your unique Census ID, you can still respond. Go to my2020census.gov
and use your address instead of the Census ID.
By responding, you help make sure that Lake County receives federal funding to support local schools, health care services, housing, infrastructure and much more.
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Need Help? Want to Help?
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Lake County has developed resource pages on how to get help and how you can help those in need. New information continues to be added, so check back if you don’t see what you’re looking for.
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How To Get Help
Loans for Small Businesses
If you own a small business, run a private non-profit, or are self-employed in Lake County and are facing financial hardship due to COVID-19, you can apply for a low-interest disaster loan from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). The application deadline is Dec. 21, 2020. To learn more:
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Unemployment Compensation
Unemployment benefits may be available to some individuals whose unemployment is attributable to COVID-19. The Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) recently adopted emergency rules to try to make the unemployment insurance system as responsive to the current situation as possible. Learn more on the IDES website
Veterans Assistance Commission
Breakfast and Lunch for Children
Even though schools are closed, many schools are still offering breakfast and lunch to feed the many children in Lake County who depend on the meals. View an interactive map and type in your address to find the nearest school in your area serving breakfast/lunch. Click on any dot on the map to view the address and a link to more information for that school district.
Call 211 to Get Connected to the Help You Need
If you need help finding any social service, including resources for finding food, healthcare, paying your utility bills, mental health services, etc., please reach out to United Way of Lake County’s free, confidential 211 service through any of the following:
How You Can Help
Donate to the Lake County COVID-19 Community Response Fund
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The fund will support local nonprofit organizations serving on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic, providing urgent resources for Lake County most at-risk neighbors. To donate online, visit LIVEUNITEDlakecounty.org/covid19.
To donate by check, make checks payable to United Way of Lake County and note “COVID-19 Community Response Fund”, and mail to 330 S. Greenleaf Street, Gurnee, IL 60031.
Because so many blood drives have been canceled due to school and workplace closures, there is a severe shortage in the nation’s blood supply.
Vitalant (formerly LifeSource) operates two donation locations in Lake County, one in Gurnee and one in Lake Bluff. Eligible donors can call 877-258-4825 to schedule an appointment.
Information on upcoming American Red Cross blood drives can be found at redcrossblood.org.
To meet the growing need at this time of crisis, the Northern Illinois Food Bank is seeking volunteers to help pack and distribute food.
Volunteer for the Lake County Medical Reserve Corps
The Lake County Medical Reserve Corps is a volunteer group that works supports the increased demands of the healthcare system in the event of a major health emergency. Volunteer by emailing HLHealthEM@lakecountyil.gov or calling 847-377-8186.
Links to Additional Resources
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COVID-19 in Lake County
General information about COVID-19
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