Health Department Coronavirus Update 0422

Lake County, Ill. — The Lake County Health Department is reporting 86 additional cases of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) and eight new deaths in Lake County since yesterday. This brings the total number of Lake County COVID-19 cases to 2,388 including 93 deaths (as of April 22, 2020, 1:30 p.m.).

The eight new deaths reported are all among residents who had underlying health conditions, a risk factor for severe illness from COVID-19, including:

• One man in his 60s
• Three men and one woman in their 70s
• One man and one woman in their 80s
• One man age 100+

The Health Department is investigating 30 long-term care facilities in the county that have two or more positive cases. These 30 facilities have a combined total of 437 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 61 deaths.

The Health Department has seen an increase in questions regarding types of testing available in Lake County. There are two main types of testing available to Lake County clinicians:

Molecular Testing 

• Using a sample taken from the nasopharynx (nose and/or throat), a molecular PCR test is used to detect active infection with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. Results are generally available in hours to several days, depending on the laboratory processing the sample. Rapid molecular tests are available at some locations, with results available in minutes to an hour. Molecular tests may not detect if you were infected in the past, and also may not detect the virus in the early stages of the incubation period, before symptoms develop.

Serology (Antibody) Testing

• Using a blood sample, a serology test is used to detect antibodies to SARS-CoV-2. These antibodies are produced when someone has been infected, so a positive result from this test may indicate that person was previously infected with the virus. The test cannot be used to detect or diagnose active COVID-19 infection, tell if you are protected from infection, or your length of protection against infection. The test may also detect other coronaviruses that do not cause COVID-19. These tests are not yet scientifically validated. 

“We have been actively working with our partners to expand testing for Lake County residents,” said Lake County Health Department Executive Director Mark Pfister. “Increasing the county's capacity for molecular testing helps us identify more residents who are currently infected so we can help prevent further spread of the virus. The Health Department is also reviewing new testing methods that are becoming available to identify those that have been scientifically validated to further expand Lake County's testing capacity.”

New Cases (since last update)	New Deaths (since last update)	Total Cases	Total Deaths
86	8	2,388	93

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:   

Please visit Lake County's Coronavirus Page for more information, including:

• How to protect yourself
• What to do if you are sick   
• Testing availability
• Interactive data hub
• Sign up for the Health Department’s COVID-19 newsletter
• How to get help
• How to help others    

Please visit Lake County Health Department Modification Page for information on Health Department Service Modifications.

For a list of government closures, visit Lake County's Closure Page.

If you have general questions, please email COVID19@lakecountyil.gov. Public health officials will answer the top questions weekly. Please note, the Health Department will not provide personal medical advice through this email address.

Additional resources   

On Friday, March 20, Governor Pritzker issued Executive Order 2020-10 requiring all Illinoisans to stay in their homes through April 30, 2020, to prevent the further spread of COVID-19.  For more information, please visit https://coronavirus.illinois.gov/s/stay-at-home-faqs. 

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 www.211lakecounty.org.

Illinois has launched Call4Calm, a free emotional support text line for Illinois residents experiencing stress and mental health issues related to COVID-19. To speak with a mental health professional, text “TALK” or “HABLAR” (for Spanish) to 552020.

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. 

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