On Thursday, April 28, 2022, Lake County transitioned from low to medium COVID-19 community level. Several counties in the Chicagoland area are now reporting medium transmission levels.
COVID-19 community level can help individuals determine what level of prevention measures to use. When a county is in medium COVID-19 community level, prevention strategies are focused on protecting those that are immunocompromised or at high risk for severe disease. Visit the CDC’s COVID-19 Community Level and COVID-19 Precaution page to determine what additional precautions you can take while Lake County is at a medium COVID-19 community level.
A word that has often been used to describe the current trajectory of COVID-19 is “endemic.” But what does this word mean?
In a pandemic, the number of cases of an infectious disease has grown greater than what is normally expected and has spread over several countries and continents, often effecting a large population. Beginning in March 2020, the rapid spread of COVID-19 across the world resulted in a pandemic.
In an endemic, an infectious disease has a constant presence within a geographic area. Although this may not be the desired level, which is ideally zero, the disease has a baseline prevalence within the population. In other words, the disease is behaving as expected.
On Thursday, April 28, Moderna announced that they have filed for emergency use authorization (EUA) for their COVID-19 vaccine for children 6 months to under 2 years and 2 years to under 6 years of age. The request for authorization is for two 25-microgram doses of its vaccine. The data has shown the vaccine in these age groups to be both safe and effective. Read the full press release from Moderna.
In February, Pfizer-BioNTech requested EUA for their COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 6 months through age 4. The request included data for the first two doses of a planned three-dose primary series. Updated information about the full three-dose series should be available in the coming weeks.
The FDA has tentatively scheduled meetings in June with the Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee (VRBPAC) to discuss updating both Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech EUAs to include younger populations not yet authorized to receive a COVID-19 vaccination. Read the FDA’s press release for more information.
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Staying up to date on recommended COVID-19 vaccinations offers the best protection against COVID-19. All COVID-19 vaccines approved and authorized in the U.S. offer effective protection against severe disease, hospitalization, and death. At this time, being up to date on COVID-19 vaccinations means getting all doses in a primary series and one booster dose. Those who are eligible for a second booster vary based on age, your health status, what vaccine you first received, and when you first got vaccinated. Visit the CDC for more information about COVID-19 Booster Shots.
Talk to your healthcare provider if you have any questions regarding eligibility.
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Having at-home tests on hand are convenient if:
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You have any COVID-19 symptoms
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You were exposed to someone with COVID-19
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You are going to an indoor event or a gathering
Each household in the United States is eligible for four free at-home COVID-19 tests. The tests originally became available to each household in January 2022. Visit COVIDtests.gov or call 1(800) 232-0233 to order your household's four tests today if you have not already.
Make sure to take extra care to read all the instructions when using a COVID-19 test to ensure the most accurate results.
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Chronic lower respiratory diseases were the fourth leading cause of death in 2019 in the United States. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) accounts for most of those deaths. Overall COPD mortality rates are decreasing. A recent Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) found that from 1999 to 2019, overall COPD mortality rates among women did not change. Rates did, however, increase among women living in the Midwest and those in small metropolitan or nonmetropolitan areas. COPD mortality rates are higher among men, though rates decreased overall and among all regional and urban-rural subgroups.
The results of this study help to better understand the continued efforts that are needed to prevent COPD and support early diagnosis, treatment, and management.
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Mental Health Awareness Month
 It's always an important time to take care of your mental health, however, May is Mental Health Awareness Month . Mental health is an important part of overall health. Every year during the month of May, the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) joins the national movement to raise awareness and advocate for mental health and access to care. This NAMI has chosen to amplify the message “Together for Mental Health” to advocate for a better mental health care system.
Visit the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) for more information about Mental Health Awareness Month,
For those in a mental health crisis visits the Crisis Care Program. Visit Behavioral Health Services to learn more about the services that Lake County offers.
Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month (AAPI)
This month we recognize Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage month. In 1992, Congress officially designated May as AAIP month. May was also chosen to commemorate the arrival of the first Japanese immigrant to the U.S. on May 7, 1843. Take some time this month to further expand your knowledge on the various cultures within AAPI celebrate Asians and Pacific Islanders
View the collaborative website, Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, from the Library of Congress and other participating agencies to find a sample of digital and physical content related to Asian/Pacific heritage.
Take Steps to Prevent Tick-borne Diseases
Although we are exposed to ticks year-round, they are most active during warmer months. Ticks may be small in size, but we still need to protect ourselves, our families, and our pets against the diseases they can carry, especially Lyme disease.
Ticks live in and near wooded areas, tall grass, and brush. If infected, ticks can transmit diseases including Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Southern Tick Associated Rash Illness (STARI), tularemia, and others when they bite humans or animals. If left untreated, some tick-borne diseases can cause serious illnesses and may be fatal.
To learn more about protecting yourself and your loved ones from tick-borne diseases and to know what to do if you are bitten by a tick, read the Health Department’s full press release.
Where do I find information about...
Who can I contact to ask a question about...
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Lake County Health Department Services: Call (847) 377-8000
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COVID-19 Vaccines in Lake County: Contact the Lake County Health Department at AllVax@lakecountyil.gov
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COVID-19 in Illinois: Contact the Illinois Department of Public Health at 1-800-889-3931 or DPH.SICK@ILLINOIS.GOV
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