Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update – March 10, 2020

Lake County Illinois sent this bulletin at 03/10/2020 09:23 PM CDT

Welcome to our first edition of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update from the Lake County Health Department and Community Health Center. Thank you for subscribing. Through this newsletter, we look forward to providing you with weekly updates, including:

• Accurate and timely information related to Lake County,
• Steps you can take to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, and
• Useful resources from reputable organizations.

For the most current information in Lake County, please visit our Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) web page, which is updated daily.

Lake County Update

The Lake County Health Department is closely monitoring a fast-changing outbreak of a novel (new) coronavirus (COVID-19) first identified in the city of Wuhan, China.

As of March 10, 2020, no Lake County residents have tested positive for COVID-19. 

On March 9, the Lake County Health Department received reports that a patient receiving treatment at a hospital in Lake County has tested positive for COVID-19. The patient, who is not a resident of Lake County, is in stable condition and is being treated in isolation in accordance with the appropriate infection prevention measures. Health Department staff were on-site beginning the morning of March 10, working to rapidly identify, interview, and assess the risk for healthcare contacts of the confirmed case.

Our priority is the health and safety of our residents, and we continue to use every available resource to prepare our communities for additional cases of COVID-19.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), for the majority of people, the immediate risk of being exposed to the virus that causes COVID-19 is considered low.

Find the latest updates for Lake County at lakecountyil.gov/coronavirus.

For the current status of the COVID-19 outbreak, please visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) COVID-19 and Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH): Coronavirus websites.

What You Need to Do

Practice the 3 C’s – Clean, Cover, Contain.

We all need to take “everyday preventive actions” to prevent the spread of illness – remember the “3 C’s” – Clean, Cover, Contain:

Clean

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces and objects.

Cover

• Cover cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue 
  in the trash.
• If no tissue is available, cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve, 
  not your hands.

Contain

• Stay home when you are sick, except to get medical care.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

Planning a Trip? Check CDC Travel Recommendations.

The best way to prevent COVID-19 is to avoid exposure to the virus. As of March 10, 2020, CDC travel recommendations include avoiding all nonessential travel to China, Iran, Italy, and South Korea, practicing enhanced precautions when traveling to Japan, and practicing usual precautions when traveling to Hong Kong. 

CDC recommends travelers, particularly those with underlying health issues, defer all cruise ship travel worldwide. Cruise ship passengers are at increased risk of person-to-person spread of infectious diseases, including COVID-19.

Older adults and travelers with underlying health issues should avoid situations that put them at increased risk for more severe disease. This entails avoiding crowded places, avoiding non-essential travel such as long plane trips, and especially avoiding embarking on cruise ships.

For more information, visit the CDC’s Before You Travel Tips.

Get your flu vaccine!

Influenza (flu) activity continues to be high in the U.S., including in Illinois. As of February 29, 2020, CDC estimates that so far this season there have been at least 34 million flu illnesses, 350,000 hospitalizations and 20,000 deaths from flu. 

Please get your annual flu vaccine if you have not yet done so. The flu shot is your best protection against the flu and reduces your chances of having complications which could result in hospitalization.

Illinois COVID-19 Hotline

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:

• Hotline: 1(800) 889-3931
• Email: DPH.SICK@ILLINOIS.GOV 

For additional information from the IDPH, visit: https://www.dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/diseases-and-conditions/diseases-a-z-list/coronavirus

COVID-19 Resources

CDC: Preventing COVID-19 Spread in Communities

Protect yourself and your community from getting and spreading respiratory illnesses like COVID-19. 

Preparedness guides for specific groups:

• Households
• K-12 Schools and Childcare Programs
• Colleges and Universities
• Workplaces
• Community- and Faith-Based Organizations
• Large Community Events and Mass Gatherings
• Healthcare Settings
• First Responders
• Homeless Shelters

Video: Lake County COVID-19 Update (March 4, 2020)

On Wednesday, March 4, 2020, staff from the Lake County Health Department presented to community leaders in collaboration with the Lake County Municipal League. Watch a video of the presentation.