Dear Lake County Resident,
We have come a long way in our fight against COVID-19. Expanded vaccine eligibility, more vaccination sites opening in Lake County, and the amazing commitment of our healthcare providers, community partners, and volunteers helping residents access the vaccine. These steps are bringing us closer to ending the pandemic, but there is more work to be done. It’s up to each of us now to get vaccinated so we can fully get back to the things we love.
More COVID-19 vaccination appointments are opening in Lake County. Please get vaccinated as soon as possible. Call our AllVax team at (847) 377-8130, or email us at AllVax@lakecountyil.gov if you need assistance. We are here to support you! And don’t forget that if you are still waiting for your invitation to schedule, you can explore other options to get your vaccine.
Have a great weekend,
Lake County Health Department
- As of April 23, over 437,000 vaccine doses have been administered to Lake County residents and 180,031 residents (25.69% of the population) have been fully vaccinated. Over 76% of Lake County seniors age 65 and older and 38% of those age 16-64 have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. The county is averaging 6,408 doses administered per day on a 7-day rolling average.
- Lake County’s Pfizer and Moderna vaccine supply more than doubled this week to 33,720 first doses, and we expect a similar supply next week. As a result, more appointments are available at sites throughout the county.
- The new vaccination site in Round Lake Beach opened on April 20, located at 400 E. Rollins Rd (the former K-Mart Supercenter). AllVax registrants who have opted-in to share their registration information may be contacted to schedule appointments, and public scheduling is available at cur.tv/lakeco.
- A new vaccination site is opening in Zion next week. Read the full press release for more information. More partner vaccination sites are also available in Round Lake, Grayslake, and Deerfield. Learn more on our website, Find a Vaccine.
- The Lake County Fairgrounds has scaled up to over 2,500 walk-through appointments per day. The Regional Vaccination Site at 102 W. Water Street, Waukegan, offers both drive-through and walk-through appointments. Both sites are by appointment through AllVax.
Lake County Partners announced the upcoming opening of two new COVID-19 vaccination sites in Zion, Illinois. Free vaccinations for community members ages 16 and older will be provided on select days at Zion-Benton Township High School Tech Campus and at the former K-Mart plaza in Zion.
Starting the week of Monday, April 26, appointments will be offered for high school students at the Zion-Benton Township High School New Tech Campus at 1634 23rd Street in Zion, between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Beginning on Monday, May 3, appointments will be offered to the wider Zion community at the Zion-Benton Township High School New Tech Campus on Mondays and Tuesdays, between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
Starting Wednesday, May 5, appointments will also be offered to community members on Wednesdays and Thursdays at the former K-Mart plaza at 3363 Sheridan Road in Zion, between the hours of 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.
Appointments are encouraged due to demand, however some walk-ins will be available. People with questions about the Zion vaccination sites can contact Passport Health at (847) 816-3434.
Illinois continues to remain in Phase 4 of the Restore Illinois plan. As a state, we have almost met the target to move to the Bridge Phase with at least 70% of those age 65 and older having received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. However, COVID-19 cases and COVID-19 related hospital admissions are on the rise. As of April 20, the Region 9 positivity rate is 4.2% (Lake 3.3%) (McHenry 7.6%).
We have seen recent increases in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations among younger people who have not been vaccinated yet. In Lake County alone, the incidence of COVID-19 among those 14-18 years old has doubled over the past month. Those 16 and older are now eligible to get vaccinated. As we continue towards herd immunity (80% of the population), it is important to remain vigilant in preventing the spread of COVID-19 by:
- Getting vaccinated
- Wearing a mask
- Washing your hands
- Watching your distance
State and regional data can be found on the IDPH website. Lake County data can be found on our Data Hub.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is providing financial assistance for COVID-19-related funeral expenses. The COVID-19 Funeral Assistance Line number is 844-684-6333. The hours of operation are Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Eastern Time. No applications will be accepted online.
You may qualify for assistance if:
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You are a U.S. citizen, non-citizen national, or qualified alien who paid for funeral expenses after January 20, 2020, and
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The funeral expenses were for an individual whose death in the United States, territories or the District of Columbia, may have been caused by or was likely the result of COVID-19.
As more of the population becomes vaccinated, scams are becoming even more widespread. One popular scam making the rounds involves selling fraudulent vaccination cards. These cards are not authentic or approved by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). You should only get a vaccination card during your vaccination appointment. If you do not receive a COVID-19 vaccination card at your appointment, contact the vaccination provider site where you got vaccinated or your state health department to find out how you can get a card. For more information about vaccination cards, visit the CDC’s website.
Obtaining a fake vaccination card will not end this pandemic, getting vaccinated will. Fake vaccination cards undermine COVID-19 vaccination efforts and will prolong this pandemic. Using a fake card to misrepresent your vaccination status not only puts yourself at risk but others that you may come in contact with as well.
If you believe you have seen a COVID-19 scam or believe to be a victim of one, please report it to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at reportfraud.ftc.gov. For more information, visit the FTC website.
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 Lake County held a Virtual Town Hall on Wednesday, April 21 at 7 p.m. hosted by Lake County Board Chair Sandy Hart. The panelists discussed the most current information about the COVID-19 vaccine, Lake County's new Federal Emergency Rental Assistance Program and answered questions from the community. If you were unable to attend, you can watch a recording of the town hall at https://youtu.be/xeZc5OrYEOI.
At the beginning of the pandemic, many Americans were trying to boost their immune systems through vitamins and supplements. At this time though, there is not enough evidence that with certainty that vitamin D will fight off COVID-19.
It is best to consult your primary care provider to discuss the correct dosage and intake of vitamins and supplements. There is a risk of having too much of a vitamin D supplement that can be toxic. More is not necessarily better when it comes to vitamins.
Outside of vitamins, there are other ways to boost your immune system:
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Eating vitamin-rich fruits and vegetables
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Exercising regularly
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Getting enough sleep
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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.
Where can I get tested?
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 Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. Testing is free and open to all regardless of symptoms. 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.
Know Before You Go
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 IDPH website.
As of April 23, 2021, 59,025 Lake County residents have tested positive for COVID-19, including 964 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
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
Lake County AllVax Portal Resources
Visit our AllVax Frequently Asked Questions page to find answers and information about the COVID-19 vaccine in Lake County. Encourage members of the community to register in AllVax utilizing resources from the AllVax Portal Toolkit, including social media messages, guides, print materials, and more.
Community Guidance and Resources
Protect yourself and your community. Our Community Guidance and Resources page has information to help residents stay safe and informed. Specific group information can be found for:
- Businesses and employers
- Communities and faith-based organizations
- First responders and law enforcement
- Healthcare providers and hospitals
- Schools and childcare programs
- Travelers
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 communication resources including fact sheets, flyers, posters, and videos.
Join the Medical Reserve Corps
The Lake County Health Department is in need of volunteers with a valid medical license to fill roles as vaccinators, vaccine mixers, and wellness check observers at our mass vaccination sites. Visit our Lake County Medical Reserve Corps page to learn more.
Become a Community Health Ambassador
Community Health Ambassadors play a key role in helping our community members get vaccinated by sharing resources, answering FAQs, and encouraging community members to register on AllVax. Visit the Community Health Ambassador page for more information and to register.
Additional Ways to Help
Visit Lake County Health Departments How You Can Help page to find additional opportunities to donate or volunteer.
Forwarded this email? Sign up to receive COVID-19 updates directly from the Lake County Health Department.
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