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17 July 2020
In response to a recent COVID-19 outbreak in Lake Zurich and surrounding areas, a mobile testing site managed by the Illinois Department of Public Health will be stationed in Lake County next week to provide free Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) tests to the community. The site will be stationed at Lake Zurich, Mundelein, and Round Lake high schools on specific days between July 19 and July 26, 2020.
Anyone who has recently been exposed to a potential or confirmed COVID-19 case should get tested, even if you are not experiencing symptoms. If you have no symptoms, it is best to wait 5-7 days after your exposure to get tested, since the virus can take several days before it can be detected in the body. If you have symptoms, however, please seek testing right away and call your doctor.
The mobile testing site schedule is as follows:
Sunday 7/19
9-11 a.m. Lake Zurich High School students and staff (please bring school ID)
11 a.m.-5 p.m. General public, while supplies last
Lake Zurich High School Performing Arts Center parking lot
300 Church St., Lake Zurich
Monday 7/20 and Tuesday 7/21
9 a.m.-4 p.m., while supplies last
Lake Zurich High School parking lot
300 Church St., Lake Zurich
Wednesday, 7/22 and Thursday, 7/23
9 a.m.-5 p.m., while supplies last
Mundelein High School parking lot
1350 W Hawley St., Mundelein
Please enter using the southbound lane of Midlothian Rd.
Friday, 7/24, Saturday, 7/25, and Sunday, 7/26
9 a.m.-5 p.m., while supplies last
Round Lake High School parking lot
800 High School Drive, Round Lake
Please enter through the Student Parking Lot off Idlewild Dr.
Testing is free and open to all regardless of symptoms. A phone number and name are required in order to receive testing results. Photo identification and proof of insurance are helpful, but not required. High demand for testing may result in long wait times.
Those utilizing drive-thru testing must be seated at a functioning window. Once you get in line at the site, you will not be permitted to exit your car. All sites will also accommodate walk-up individuals. Only viral testing is provided at the mobile testing site.
 Dr. Sana Ahmed, Medical Epidemiologist at the Lake County Health Department, answers your top 10 questions about COVID-19 from the last week.
On July 15, Governor Pritzker issued updated guidelines to the Restore Illinois plan to combat resurgence of COVID-19 (read the press release). The following metrics will be used to determine when the spread of the virus in a region requires additional mitigations:
- Sustained increase in 7-day rolling average (7 out of 10 days) in the testing positivity rate AND one of the following severity indicators:
- Sustained 7-day increase in hospital admissions for a COVID-19 like illness.
- Reduction in hospital capacity threatening surge capabilities (ICU capacity or medical/surgical beds < 20%).
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OR three consecutive days averaging ≥ 8% positivity rate.
Mitigation efforts will be applied on a regional basis. Lake County is in the North Suburban Region along with McHenry County. Read the Plans to Combat Resurgence.
If you are considering a road trip during the COVID-19 pandemic consider the risks specific to car travel. These include making stops along the way for gas, food, or to use the restroom. This can put you and your traveling companions in close contact with others. Protect yourself and others during your trip:
- Clean your hands often.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth.
- Avoid close contact with others.
- Wear a face covering in public.
- Cover your coughs and sneezes.
- Pick up food via drive-thru or curbside options.
We recommend that individuals returning from an area with widespread community transmission self-quarantine for 14 days and monitor their symptoms daily. This includes travel to the following states: Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Nevada, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Ohio, and Oklahoma.
Learn more on how to stay safe during travel
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 During the COVID-19 Pandemic, health departments all across the United States have been putting out creative messages encouraging people to take precautions to stay safe. Every week, we will highlight a different health department whose message inspires us.
This week we are highlighting the Washington State Department of Health. They have been using Medium to share helpful articles on a variety of topics like “Top 10 Reasons to Wear Face Masks,” "Communicating with our faces covered,” and more.
If you have noticed you are not following COVID-19 precautions as closely, you may be suffering from caution fatigue. This may cause you to have lower motivation to social distance and increase your risk of getting COVID-19. There are ways to combat caution fatigue. You can:
- Take care of your physical and mental health.
- Reframe risks and benefits.
- Rebuild your routine.
- Make altruism a habit.
- Switch up your media diet.
Read about caution fatigue and how to counter it
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If you are considering getting a test for COVID-19, make sure you know the difference between a viral and antibody test.
Viral tests
Also known as polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or molecular tests.
A viral test tells you if you have a current infection and is usually done with a swab in your nasal passage.
Antibody tests
Also known as serology tests.
An antibody test might tell you if you had a past infection. These tests are done by taking a blood sample. An antibody test should not be used to see if you currently are infected with COVID-19. It can take a few weeks after infection for your body to make antibodies.
Scientists are still researching if having antibodies to the virus that causes COVID-19 provides protection from getting infected with the virus again. We do not yet know how much protection the antibodies might provide or how long this protection might last.
Lake County Small Business Grants
The deadline to apply for the Lake County Small Business Assistance COVID-19 Grant Program is approaching! Small businesses can apply online for up to $30,000 to cover up to four months of rent or mortgage payments, utility costs, or other COVID-19 related expenses. Applications will be accepted until July 20 at 11:59 p.m. Don’t miss this opportunity! Click here to apply or learn more!
COVID-19 Conference Calls Discontinued Until Further Notice
Over the last several months, we have shared invaluable information and resources with one another. Audio recordings and notes from our previous calls can be found online at www.lakecountyil.gov/4428. You can still receive COVID-19 updates by subscribing to our weekly Coronavirus (COVID-19) Newsletter, available in English and Spanish. And don't forget to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube, where we provide daily updates and tips on how to stay healthy and safe during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Lake County COVID-19 Cases
As of July 17, 2020, 10,705 Lake County residents have tested positive for COVID-19, including 413 deaths.
People of any age can get and spread COVID-19. Of all Lake County COVID-19 cases, 29% have occurred in individuals under age 30. Even young people need to take steps to protect themselves.
Our Coronavirus Data Hub provides data and resources for our county, including cases and deaths, tests performed, demographic data, and an interactive map and charts.
View the Lake County, IL Coronavirus Data Hub
Do you have questions? The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) has established a COVID-19 hotline and email address to answer questions from the public:
For additional information from the IDPH, visit: http://www.dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/diseases-and-conditions/diseases-a-z-list/coronavirus
Young Adult Toolkits
As we navigate the pandemic, remember that young adults are just as likely as older adults to get and spread COVID-19. The risk increases by attending gatherings and not wearing face coverings. Our younger population plays an equal role in protecting their friends and family from COVID-19.
Visit the CDC’s page on Young Adults 15-21 for more resources on how to stay safe.
Communication Resources
We need your help to keep our communities healthy and safe. The Lake County Health Department, Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offer free resources including fact sheets, flyers, posters, and videos.
View communication resources
Forwarded this email? Sign up to receive COVID-19 updates directly from the Lake County Health Department.
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