Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)

Lake County, Illinois Information

The Lake County Health Department is closely monitoring a fast-changing pandemic of a novel (new) coronavirus (COVID-19) first identified in the city of Wuhan, China. Our priority is the health and safety of our residents, and we continue to use every available resource to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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

Current Vaccination Phases

Phase 1a: Healthcare Personnel and Long-Term Care Facility Residents

Currently, vaccine supply is limited. The Lake County Health Department continues to vaccinate Phase 1a, healthcare personnel and long-term care facility residents by appointment only.

Phase 1b: Adults Ages 65 and Older and Frontline Essential Workers

Some local hospitals, healthcare providers, pharmacies, and other partners are giving vaccines on a limited basis to Phase 1b, adults ages 65 and older and frontline essential workers. The Lake County Health Department is offering appointments to seniors ages 65 and older at the Lake County Fairgrounds.

Learn more on our COVID-19 Vaccine page.

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Recent Updates

Statement Regarding Illinois Expansion of Phase 1b

The Lake County Health Department's goal is to get as many people vaccinated as quickly and efficiently as possible. Our greatest challenge continues to be the very limited supply of vaccine we are receiving. While we are making progress every day with vaccinating people in Phase 1a and 1b, at this time we are not being supplied with enough doses to expand eligibility in these phases.

Expanding Phase 1b in Lake County would result in our healthcare providers, seniors, frontline essential workers facing greater difficulty in getting vaccinated.

Until vaccine supply increases, Lake County will not be expanding to the "Phase 1b plus" group announced by the Governor, which includes people ages 16–64 with co-morbidities, high risk health conditions, and disabilities. Per Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations for transitioning between phases, we will look to move in to the "Phase 1b plus" group when 60-70% of persons within the current phase are vaccinated or when supply of vaccines exceeds demand in the current phase. However, pharmacies and other entities that receive vaccines directly from the state or federal government are free to follow the Illinois expansion that begins February 25, 2021.

These phases were established after careful study and consideration, and are based on guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. We respect the Governor's direction, however in this case, given our limited supply of vaccine, we need to make a local decision that will best serve the needs of our residents.

Phase 1a and Phase 1b Vaccine Opportunities Expanded

Beginning the week of February 15, 2021, COVID-19 vaccination appointments at the Lake County Fairgrounds will begin being offered to seniors ages 65 and older who are registered in the AllVax system. Vaccinations of healthcare workers and others eligible in Phase 1a are also continuing at the site and through partnering vaccine providers across the county. Read the full press release.

First Case of COVID-19 Variant Identified in Lake County

On February 6, the Health Department reported the first case of the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) variant B.1.1.7 in Lake County. Read the full press release.

Updated Quarantine Recommendations

On December 2, 2020, the CDC issued new options for shortened quarantine for people who have no symptoms. The CDC made clear that a 14-day quarantine is still best practice and affirmed that local health departments should evaluate if these options are right for the areas they serve.  At the time of this change, Lake County was seeing a surge in new COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, and deaths. After careful consideration the Lake County Health Department did not adopt the new options. Instead, we decided to reassess the situation after the holidays.

The Lake County Health Department has reviewed these alternatives, COVID-19 trends, and socioeconomic and mental health impact to our community. We continue to recommend that close contacts to a COVID-19 case ideally, complete a 14-day quarantine period. However, effective February 8, 2021, a shortened 10-day quarantine period is acceptable if the person exposed to COVID-19 has NOT developed symptoms. Learn more.

North Suburban Region 9 Returns to Phase 4

Effective February 3, North Suburban Region 9, which includes Lake and McHenry Counties, has met the criteria set by the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) to move from Tier 1 mitigations to Phase 4 under the State’s Restore Illinois Plan. Read the full press release.

Lake County AllVax Portal is Now Open

The Lake County Health Department is pleased to announce that the Lake County AllVax Portal is open. All Lake County residents can now register to be notified when a COVID-19 vaccine is available to them. Registering online is easy and secure—just visit AllVax.lakecohealth.org. You can also register over the phone by calling the Lake County Health Department at (847) 377-8130. Read the full press release.

Non-Essential Travel

To limit the spread of COVID-19, the Health Department recommends avoiding all non-essential travel. Visit our Community Guidance and Resources page for more information.

View more updates

Who can I contact to...

Ask a question about:

COVID-19 in Lake County: Contact the Lake County Health Department at COVID19@lakecountyil.gov
COVID-19 and other communicable diseases: Contact the Lake County Health Department Communicable Disease program at (847) 377-8130
COVID-19 Vaccines in Lake County: Contact the Lake County Health Department at AllVax@lakecountyil.gov
COVID-19 Relief and Recovery in Lake County: Contact Lake County Communications at (847) 377-2154 or communications@lakecountyil.gov
COVID-19 in Illinois: Contact the Illinois Department of Public Health at 1-800-889-3931 or DPH.SICK@ILLINOIS.GOV
Phase 4 of the Restore Illinois Plan: Contact the Illinois Department of Public Health at 1-800-889-3931 or DPH.SICK@ILLINOIS.GOV
Phase 4 Guidelines for Businesses: Contact the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity at 1-800-252-2923 or CEO.support@illinois.gov.

Report:

Cases or outbreaks of COVID-19 in a workplace or facility: Visit https://redcap.dph.illinois.gov/surveys/?s=NHECLHEHFP
Executive Order violations: Visit http://www.lakecountyil.gov/report
Violation of safety guidelines at restaurants and businesses: Call the Lake County Health Department at (847) 377-8020
An unsafe workplace environment: Contact the Attorney General’s Workplace Rights Bureau at workplacerights@atg.state.il.us or 844-740-5076
Contact tracing scams: Visit the Federal Trade Commission website

Make a request:

From the news media: Email the Lake County Health Department at COVIDmedia@lakecountyil.gov