How many cases of COVID-19 are there in Lake County?

Please visit our website, www.lakecountyil.gov/coronavirus, for the number of cases in Lake County. This website is updated daily. To receive daily updates via email, subscribe here: http://bit.ly/lccovid-19 

Where can I find a breakdown of COVID-19 cases by community?

The Lake County Health Department has developed a Coronavirus Data Hub that includes COVID-19 cases and deaths, a map that shows the distribution of cases by zip code, and demographic information of cases.  The dashboard is updated daily: www.lakecountyil.gov/COVID19data

It is safe to assume that every community in Lake County is impacted by COVID-19. The best way to prevent the spread is by following the 3 Ws:  

Wear a mask

• Wear a mask or cloth face covering when you leave your home. 
• Wear it anywhere that maintaining social distance is difficult, like the grocery store or office.
• Make sure your mask covers your mouth and nose.  

Wash your hands

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
• When soap and water is not available, use hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.

Watch your distance

• Stay at least 6 feet away from people who don’t live in your home.
• Maintain your distance, even when people are wearing masks.
• Avoid close contact with others, especially people who are sick.
• Avoid crowds and confined spaces.
• Stay home when possible – this is still the safest option.  

Why is Lake County not releasing the exact number of cases by community?

The main reason we use ranges in our Cases of COVID-19 by Municipality map is to protect privacy. Following Illinois state code, when we share health data, we make every effort to make sure an individual can’t be identified through the data we share. 

If we shared that one person in a certain town has a rare disease, the chances of someone identifying that their friend or co-worker who live there are high. So when we are sharing the municipality, like we’ve done in our map, one way to protect individuals in that community is by sharing a range of numbers. In general, the smaller the number, the more easily a person can be identified. 

We also believe that the case numbers do not represent everyone who is infected in Lake County. Many people have not been tested. Many people may have only mild symptoms and can recover at home, and many people have no symptoms at all.

Every community in Lake County is impacted by COVID-19. We all need to work together to prevent its spread by:  

Wear a mask

• Wear a mask or cloth face covering when you leave your home. 
• Wear it anywhere that maintaining social distance is difficult, like the grocery store or office.
• Make sure your mask covers your mouth and nose.  

Wash your hands

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
• When soap and water is not available, use hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.

Watch your distance

• Stay at least 6 feet away from people who don’t live in your home.
• Maintain your distance, even when people are wearing masks.
• Avoid close contact with others, especially people who are sick.
• Avoid crowds and confined spaces.
• Stay home when possible – this is still the safest option.  

What are the capacities of Lake County hospitals?

Can you elaborate on the underlying conditions of those who have died?

Health-related data, including which health conditions a person has, is protected by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). We can’t share that information. However, you can find more information about what underlying health conditions makes a person more vulnerable here: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/need-extra-precautions/groups-at-higher-risk.html

Who should get tested for COVID-19?

What are the symptoms of COVID-19?

Older adults and people who have severe underlying medical conditions like heart or lung disease or diabetes seem to be at higher risk for developing more serious complications from COVID-19 illness. Learn more.

Reported illnesses have ranged from mild symptoms to severe illness and death for confirmed COVID-19 cases.

These symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure:

Coronavirus Self-Checker: The CDC and Apple, in partnership with the White House and FEMA, developed a tool to help you make decisions about seeking appropriate medical care.  Use the COVID-19 Screening Tool Recommendations provided by this tool do not constitute medical advice and should not be used to diagnose or treat medical conditions.

What should I do if I am sick?

If you are sick with COVID-19 or think you might have COVID-19, follow these steps to help protect yourself and other people in your home and community.

General information on what you should do if you are sick can be found here: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/if-you-are-sick/steps-when-sick.html

What can I do if I don’t have health insurance?

Please contact the Lake County Health Department at 847-377-8800.

How do I protect myself and others from COVID-19?

You can find detailed information from the CDC here: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/prevention.html

Follow the 3 Ws to avoid getting and spreading COVID-19:

Wear a mask

• Wear a mask or cloth face covering when you leave your home. 
• Wear it anywhere that maintaining social distance is difficult, like the grocery store or office.
• Make sure your mask covers your mouth and nose.  

Wash your hands

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
• When soap and water is not available, use hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.

Watch your distance

• Stay at least 6 feet away from people who don’t live in your home.
• Maintain your distance, even when people are wearing masks.
• Avoid close contact with others, especially people who are sick.
• Avoid crowds and confined spaces.
• Stay home when possible – this is still the safest option.  

Get vaccinated

Getting vaccinated and following the CDC’s recommendations to protect yourself and others will offer the best protection from COVID-19.

For more information on vaccine availability and how to register for yours, visit our COVID-19 Vaccine page.

When will the COVID-19 vaccine be available to me?

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 began giving vaccines on a limited basis to Phase 1b, adults ages 65 and older and frontline essential workers, on January 25. 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.

How do I register for the COVID-19 vaccine?

We are excited to let you know that the Lake County AllVax Portal is now open! Please register so we can notify you when it is time to make your appointment for a COVID-19 vaccine. 

To access the portal, visit AllVax.lakecohealth.org.

What can I do to lower my symptoms?

Information on what you should do if you are sick can be found here: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/if-you-are-sick/steps-when-sick.html

Should I wear a mask?

Cloth face cover FAQs: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/cloth-face-cover-faq.html

Recent studies show that a significant portion of people who are infected with the novel coronavirus do not have symptoms (“asymptomatic”). Some people who are infected will develop symptoms later (“pre-symptomatic”). Both asymptomatic and pre-symptomatic people can transmit the virus to others in close proximity when they talk, sneeze, or cough.

In light of new data about how COVID-19 spreads, CDC recommends that people wear a cloth face covering to cover their nose and mouth when visiting public places such as grocery stores and pharmacies, where proper social distancing is difficult to maintain. This is to protect people around you if you are infected but do not have symptoms. 

Cloth face coverings can be made from common household items, such as a t-shirt. Detailed instructions for creating a cloth face covering are available on the CDC website: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/diy-cloth-face-coverings.html.

A video of the U.S. Surgeon General, Dr. Jerome Adams, demonstrating a simple face covering option can be found on YouTube: https://youtu.be/tPx1yqvJgf4.

If you wear a mask or cloth face covering, please continue following social distancing guidelines, frequently wash your hands, and avoid touching your face. Follow instructions on how to wash and wear cloth face coverings correctly. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/diy-cloth-face-coverings.html

The cloth face coverings recommended are not surgical masks or N-95 respirators, which are currently in short supply. Please save those critical supplies for healthcare workers and first responders.

Is antibody (serology) testing available in Lake County? Should I get an antibody test?

What measures should families/schools/colleges take?

How do we protect vulnerable populations?

A list of individuals who are at a higher risk for severe illness can be found here: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/need-extra-precautions/people-at-higher-risk.html

These groups should take extra precautions: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/need-extra-precautions/groups-at-higher-risk.html

Long-term care facilities in Lake County should follow Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) Long-Term Care Facilities Guidance to protect their residents and staff.

What are nursing home facilities doing to protect the vulnerable population?

Information on Nursing Home Facilities response can be found here: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/healthcare-facilities/prevent-spread-in-long-term-care-facilities.html

Additional guidance for long-term care facilities is on the Illinois Department of Public Health website: (http://dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/diseases-and-conditions/diseases-a-z-list/coronavirus/long-term-care-guidance)

I’m a healthcare provider. Should I still provide vaccinations for other vaccine-preventable diseases?

Immunizations for children are an essential healthcare function and should certainly continue. However, in doing so, clinics should take necessary precautions to prevent spread of the novel coronavirus. 

For example, vaccine visits could be the first appointments scheduled in the morning, followed by sick visits in the afternoon. Alternatively, if your practice has several office sites, vaccinations should take place at a separate office site and sick visits at another. Additionally, screening of all children and those who accompany them should be done upon entrance into the clinic (i.e., temperature and symptom checks) and patients should be called before the visit to ensure they are free of symptoms and fever.

What is the help available for small business owners?

U.S. Small Business Administration (USBA) is also offering loans for businesses impacted by coronavirus. For more information on the loans, visit the USBA website.

Source: https://coronavirus.illinois.gov/s/food-service-faqs#a3