Lake County, Ill. — The Lake County Health Department is reporting 66 new cases of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Lake County and two new deaths since yesterday. This brings the total number of Lake County COVID-19 cases to 608, including 14 deaths (as of April 3, 2020, 1:45 p.m.).

The two deaths include a woman in her 80s and a woman in her 90s, both with underlying health conditions, a risk factor for severe illness from COVID-19.

The Health Department is investigating 15 long-term care facilities in the county that have two or more positive cases. These 15 facilities have a combined total of 85 confirmed COVID-19 cases.

With many religious commemorations around the corner, the Health Department reminds residents to stay committed to social distancing and avoid in-person gatherings.

"While the way we celebrate traditions may be different this year, know that you are not alone," said Lake County Health Department Executive Director Mark Pfister. "This is a challenging time and while we come from many different backgrounds, faiths and walks of life, we are uniquely bonded by this shared experience. One of the most loving things we can do for one another is to stay home.”

There are many ways to stay safe in your worship during the COVID-19 pandemic:

• Check your place of worship's webpage and social media for virtual services.
• Celebrate with family via video chat.
• Cook traditional foods at home to enjoy the familiar tastes and smells of the holiday.
• Consider a smaller celebration with your immediate family now, and hold a larger celebration when the pandemic is over.
• If you are setting up remote worship, make sure to communicate with your community on how to get connected.

New Cases (since last update)	New Deaths (since last update)	Total Cases	Total Deaths
66	2	608	14

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.   
• Maintain a distance of 6 feet between yourself and others. 
• 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. Contact your doctor 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 by your doctor 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.   

Testing availability   

Testing is being prioritized for people with symptoms who have high risk of complications. This includes older adults living in congregate settings and those with chronic health conditions like heart disease, lung disease, or diabetes, and those with weakened immune systems. People who do not show any symptoms do not need to get tested.   

A number of healthcare providers in Lake County currently have tests available. The Public Health Emergency Operations Center (PHEOC) is working to collect information on the availability of testing in Lake County and will provide updates at www.lakecountyil.gov/coronavirus as it becomes available.   

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 resources   

Visit www.lakecountyil.gov/coronavirus for updates on COVID-19 in Lake County, guidance on preventing the spread of COVID-19, an interactive map of cases by municipality, and to sign up for the Lake County 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. Residents can submit an email with general COVID-19 questions, and public health officials will answer the top questions weekly. 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   

Anyone needing 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. To receive general COVID-19 information via text message, text “COVID19” to 211211. For more information, visit https://211lakecounty.org/   

Additional resources if you need assistance: 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 dph.illinois.gov, or the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website at coronavirus.gov.