Coronavirus (COVID-19) Newsletter—November 25, 2020

View as a webpage | Translate

Lake County Health Department Coronavirus (COVID-19) Newsletter

November 25, 2020

Happy Thanksgiving 

divider

As a Health Department we are grateful to be able to serve you and your family during the COVID-19 pandemic. We know that this year has not been easy. The holidays are often a time of comfort and tradition, but this year it is safer to do things a little differently. In person gatherings are places where COVID-19 can spread quickly. We wish you and your family a healthy and restful holiday.

Consider Alternatives

thanksgiving

The holidays will look different this year, but that doesn’t mean you need to miss out on enjoying time with your family.

The safest way to celebrate this year is only gathering with people who live in your home. Consider other activities such as:

  • Safely prepare traditional dishes and deliver them to family and neighbors.
  • Host a virtual celebration with friends and family who don’t live with you.
  • Watch television and play games with people in your household.
  • Shop online. Use contact-free services like curbside pick-up and delivery.

Make Thanksgiving Safer

Take steps to make Thanksgiving safer even before the day begins. Follow the 3 Ws closely: Wear a mask, Wash your hands, and Watch your distance.

3 ws

Reconsider plans that might be riskier. Consider postponing travel and staying home to protect yourself and those you love. If you do choose to attend a gathering, take these additional steps:

  • Bring your own food, drinks, plates, cups, and utensils.
  • Wear a mask and safely store your mask while eating and drinking. Put your mask back on whenever you are not eating.
  • Keep at least 6 feet of distance from others at all times.
  • Avoid going in the area where food is being prepared.
  • Use single-use and disposable options whenever possible.
  • Stay home if you or anyone in your household is feeling ill, waiting for results of a COVID-19 test, or have been exposed to someone with COVID-19.
distance

If you are hosting a gathering on Thanksgiving take steps to help everyone be safer. These steps include:

  • Have a small outdoor meal.
  • Limit the number of guests as much as possible.
  • Shorten the time you spend indoors with others who don’t live in your home.
  • Talk to your guests ahead of time about expectations for celebrating together.
  • Have extra masks handy in case someone needs one.
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces between use. Put out paper towels instead of shared towels in the bathroom.
  • Seat guests from different households at separate tables, spaced apart.
  • Avoid sharing food and drinks.
  • If indoors, open windows to let more fresh air inside.
  • Limit the number of people in food preparation areas.
  • Make virtual attendance possible for anyone who is immunocompromised or older.
  • Cancel the gathering if anyone in your household is sick, exposed to COVID-19, or waiting for COVID-19 test results.

Learn more on how to stay safe this holiday season at www.lakecohealth.org/holidays.

COVID-19 Testing

divider

If you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 or have been exposed to someone who has it, getting tested can help you know what steps to take to keep your loved ones safe. Due to the rapid spread of the virus over the past several weeks, demand for testing is very high. Remember to focus on prevention first! It is very important that we all take steps to avoid being exposed to COVID-19.

Where can I get tested?

Contact your doctor to ask about testing availability, or check the Lake County Testing Site Locator for options.

State-run Community-Based Testing Sites located in Waukegan (102 W. Water St.), Arlington Heights (2000 W Euclid Ave.), and Rockford (1601 Parkview Ave.) are open 7 days a week from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. Testing at these sites is free. These sites have drive-through testing, as well as walk-up testing for those who do not have a vehicle or need to use public transportation. Please note, you are not permitted to exit your car to use the walk-up line once you arrive. For more information, visit the IDPH website.

Mobile COVID-19 Test Sites - December 2020

The State’s mobile testing unit will be in Lake County at the following locations and dates:

Saturday, 12/5, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
College of Lake County
19351 W. Washington St., Grayslake

Sunday, 12/6, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Grant Community High School - South Lot
285 Grand Ave., Fox Lake

Monday, 12/14, 4 a.m. – 8 p.m.
College of Lake County
19351 W. Washington St., Grayslake

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. Testing locations may close early due to inclement weather or if daily testing supplies are exhausted. Additional COVID-19 testing locations and information can be found at the Illinois Department of Health website.

Read the press release on Mobile Testing in Lake County for more information.

How do I get my testing results?

If you were tested by your own healthcare provider, please contact them directly and follow their instructions for getting your test results. If you were tested at a State-run Community-Based Testing Site or mobile testing site, you will receive a phone call with your results. If you have not received your results within 7 days, call the number that was given to you at the testing site.  

Vaccine Update

divider
doctor

On Monday, pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca announced that data for its COVID-19 vaccine trials is showing their vaccine is highly effective. The vaccine was developed by Oxford University and has seen up to 90% effectiveness in some dosing tests, with lower effectiveness in other tests.  

This is the third company to announce promising results from their COVID-19 vaccine trails. Unlike the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine can be stored at higher temperatures (between 2– 8 degrees Celsius).

All vaccines developed for COVID-19 must be approved before they can be distributed. Pfizer applied for FDA emergency use authorization (EUA) for its COVID-19 vaccine late last week. A meeting to discuss the EUA is scheduled for December 10.

Extensive testing and trials are done to make sure a vaccine is safe and effective. Once a vaccine is approved, it will also take time to manufacture and distribute. As we wait for a vaccine, we need to continue to take steps to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Learn more about vaccine standards at the CDC page on Vaccine Safety in the United States.

Lake County Update

divider

Lake County COVID-19 Cases

As of November 25, 2020, 33,358 Lake County residents have tested positive for COVID-19, including 596 deaths.

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 

Please note that our Data Hub will not be updated November 26-27 as our staff observe the Thanksgiving holiday. Updates will resume on Monday, November 30.

Who to Contact if You Have Question

divider

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

COVID-19 Resources

divider

Community Guidance and Resources

Protect yourself and your community. Our Information for Specific Groups page is now Community Guidance and Resources. This page is more user-friendly and has information to help residents stay safe and informed. 

 

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

Useful Links

divider

Forwarded this email? Sign up to receive COVID-19 updates directly from the Lake County Health Department.