The Lake County Health Department is urging the public to take precautions to slow the resurgence of COVID-19. The majority of cases nationwide have been in unvaccinated individuals. Cases have been steadily increasing in Lake County over the past month. We encourage those that have not received a COVID-19 vaccine to do so as soon as possible. Getting vaccinated protects you from severe disease, hospitalization and death. It also protects those in our population that are vulnerable, children, elderly and immunocompromised.
It is also more important now than ever to also stop the spread of misinformation. The U.S. Surgeon General recently released an advisory on Confronting Health Misinformation, stating that “health misinformation is a serious threat to public health."
Residents can work to stop the spread of misinformation by:
- Learning how to identify misinformation. Verify the accuracy of information and ensure that it is from a reliable source before you share it.
- Work with your community on addressing misinformation. Consider how you can share reliable health information within your community such as through faith groups and community organizations.
- Engage with your loved ones on the issues of health misinformation. If someone you care about is sharing health misinformation, listen with empathy. Try to understand why they feel this way and avoid judgment.
Read the full press release for more information.
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 The Delta variant continues to spread at a rapid pace around the country. It is highly transmissible and is accounting for more than 80% of COVID-19 cases in the U.S. Cases are increasing daily and are projected to bring Lake County into the substantial level of transmission if this trend continues. The CDC recently updated their guidance and recommends that everyone, vaccinated and unvaccinated, wear a mask indoors in areas with substantial and high transmission. New guidance also recommends universal indoor masking for all teachers, staff, students, and visitors to K-12 schools. To keep track of transmission by county, check out the CDC page COVID-19 Integrated County View.
Getting as many people vaccinated as possible against COVID-19 continues to be the most effective way to control the pandemic. All COVID-19 vaccines currently authorized in the United States are effective against COVID-19, including severe disease, hospitalization, and death.
Having additional layered prevention strategies will also continue to control the spread. Layered prevention strategies include:
- Vaccinations, for those eligible
- Masking
- Social distancing
- Contact tracing
- Testing
- Staying home when sick
- Infection control precautions (e.g. hand sanitizer locations, cleaning and disinfection of commonly used surfaces)
View the full Interim Public Health Recommendations for Fully Vaccinated People.
View the Guidance for Implementing COVID-19 Prevention Strategies in the Context of Varying Community Transmission Levels and Vaccination Coverage
During the pandemic, many buildings sat empty for a period of time. Stagnant water in the water pipes can create ideal conditions for Legionella bacteria growth. Water systems need to be brought back online properly to avoid disease from Legionella bacteria. For businesses, having a good water management plan is important.
Legionella bacteria can become a health concern when it grows in building water systems. Legionella is transmitted via inhalation of aerosolized water containing the bacteria. Less commonly, Legionella can also be transmitted via aspiration of drinking water. Legionella is not usually transmitted from person-to-person. When people are exposed to Legionella, it can lead to Legionnaires’ disease. Legionnaires’ disease is similar to types of pneumonia and can affect the same vulnerable populations as COVID-19. Symptoms could include:
- Cough
- Shortness of breath
- Fever
- Muscle aches
- Headaches
If you develop pneumonia-like symptoms, it is best to see a doctor. Learn more about Legionnaires Disease on the CDC page About the Disease.
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Getting vaccinated against COVID-19 is easier now more than ever. Not only is there an abundance of supply for the COVID-19 vaccine, but there are also many locations administering the vaccine across the county and state. Mobile vaccination Points of Dispensary (POD) will be at various locations around the county. Visit the AllVax Find a Vaccine page for all the ways Lake County residents can access the COVID-19 vaccine.
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- As of July 30, 2021, over 746,000 vaccine doses have been administered to Lake County residents and 362,879 residents (51.78% of the population) have been fully vaccinated.
- Over 84.85% of Lake County seniors ages 65 and older and 65.59% of those age 16-64 have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
- The county is averaging 1,103 doses administered per day on a 7-day rolling average.
- As of July 30, 2021, 62,704 Lake County residents have tested positive for COVID-19, including 1,030 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 (823 Wilke Rd.), and Rockford (1321 Sandy Hollow Rd.) 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.
Forwarded this email? Sign up to receive COVID-19 updates directly from the Lake County Health Department.
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