We will be transitioning our COVID-19 newsletter to every other week. The next newsletter is scheduled for Friday, July 2. Please know, we are committed to keeping you updated on important news and developments as they happen. Please follow us on our social media channels (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter) for the latest updates.
As an Illinois resident, if you’ve been vaccinated or are about to get vaccinated, you’re automatically entered in for a chance at part of Illinois' $10 million vaccine sweepstakes. The first drawing will occur on Thursday, July 8 and conclude on Monday, August 16.
Vaccinated adults are entered into a $7 million cash prize pool. Three $1 million jackpots and 40 $100k cash prizes are up for grabs. Vaccinated adults are eligible if:
- You’re an Illinois resident age 18 or older.
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You received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine in Illinois, other than a federal facility.
Vaccinated youth are entered into a $3 million scholarship pool. Twenty $150k scholarship awards are being offered. Vaccinated youth are eligible if:
- You’re an Illinois resident age 12 to 17.
- You received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine in Illinois, other than a federal facility.
The prize money will be paid from federal grants received by Illinois to help combat the COVID-19 pandemic.
For more information, visit https://allin.illinois.gov/ or the All In For the Win pdf.
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Viruses change through mutation and as a result variants can emerge. Recently, the B.1.617.2 (Delta) variant has become a variant of concern. It accounts for 60% of new cases in the UK and more than 10% of cases in the U.S. At this time there are no cases of the Delta variant reported in Lake County.
Among Delta variant cases an increase in transmission and more severe disease has been reported. A U.K. study has shown that both the Pfizer and AstraZeneca vaccines appear effective against the strain.
Get vaccinated as soon as you can to protect yourself and those you care for against COVID-19. As more people get vaccinated variants are less likely to form. Visit the Allvax Find a Vaccine page for the ways you can access a COVID-19 vaccine.
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As the weather warms up, many of our residents will be returning to Lake County’s lakes and beaches. Swimming and other water-related activities are a great way to exercise and cool off in the summer. However, they are not risk-free. It’s important to protect yourself from illness, prevent the spread of germs, and check to see if conditions are safe for swimming.
While planning an outing, please keep in mind that COVID-19 is still present. It is important to take precautions while out and around others. Visit the CDC’s page about Gatherings for more guidance and information.
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Novavax has developed a two-dose COVID-19 vaccine that could be available later this year. It is a protein subunit vaccine that works differently than currently FDA-authorized COVID-19 vaccines. It contains the spike protein itself. Other approved COVID-19 vaccines contain genetic instructions for the spike protein so that a body’s cells can make it. This type of technology has been used in hepatitis B and pertussis vaccines.
The Novavax COVID-19 vaccine clinical trial enrolled approximately 30,000 participants 18 years old and older at 119 locations in the United States and Mexico. The results have indicated that the vaccine showed 90% overall vaccine efficacy (VE), 100% protection against moderate and severe illness, and 93% VE against variants of concern and interest.
The company will likely apply for FDA review in the next few months. More information about the Novavax COVID-19 vaccine trials can be found on their Prevent-19 Factsheet.
IDPH recently updated guidance for youth recreational sports in settings including, but not limited to, school-based sports, travel clubs, private leagues and clubs, recreational leagues and centers, and park district sports programs.
Under this new guidance, fully vaccinated individuals can resume sport-related activities without wearing a mask or physically distancing.
Individuals are considered fully vaccinated against COVID-19 two weeks after receiving the second dose of Pfizer or Moderna or two weeks after the single dose of Johnson & Johnson.
Guidance for individuals who are not fully vaccinated depends on whether they are indoors or outdoors
Indoors: Those who are not fully vaccinated should continue to wear a mask during indoor sports-related activities. Masks should be replaced when they become wet with sweat or water.
Outdoors: Individuals who are not vaccinated can participate in sports-related activities without wearing a mask when outdoors. Masks should still be worn by those not fully vaccinated when coming into contact with other unvaccinated individuals in certain scenarios such as on the sidelines, in the locker room, during team meetings, and especially when indoors.
Schools and other sports organizations can require all individuals, including those fully vaccinated, to wear a mask and physically distance as they see appropriate.
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- As of June 18, 2021, over 683,600 vaccine doses have been administered to Lake County residents and 327,195 residents (46.69% of the population) have been fully vaccinated.
- Over 83% of Lake County seniors ages 65 and older and 60.6% of those age 16-64 have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
- The county is averaging 2,549 doses administered per day on a 7-day rolling average.
- As of June 18, 2021, 61,849 Lake County residents have tested positive for COVID-19, including 1,015 deaths.
View the Lake County, IL Coronavirus Data Hub
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.
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.
Based on the new guidance, we are in the process of updating our materials.
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.
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