Show All Answers

1. How do I use the interactive map?

To use the map, hover your mouse over a municipality to view the number of cases reported.  The data displayed is a range of cases, for example, fewer than 5, 5 to 9, 10-14, etc.

2. What does the dark blue color on the map mean?

Areas on the map with a higher prevalence of reported cases per 10,000 residents are shaded darker.  For example, if both Lake Forest and Highland Park have the same number of cases, Lake Forest will display as darker on the map because it has fewer residents, so the prevalence per 10,000 is higher.

3. Why is there a higher concentration of cases in some areas than others?

The dashboard shows a higher concentration of cases in some Lake County communities. The Lake County Health Department cautions that:     

• COVID-19 is spreading in every Lake County community.    
• Because testing is not widely available, the data is not necessarily reflective of the actual distribution of cases.     
• People who live in those communities are not necessarily at a greater risk of contracting COVID-19 than the general population.

There are a number of reasons that one community may have a higher number of positive cases:  

• More people who live in those communities may have been tested than people who live in other areas of Lake County.      
• People who live in those communities may have traveled to areas where spread of COVID-19 was occurring, or attended large gatherings where exposure occurred before the Illinois ‘stay at home’ order was issued by the Governor.

4. Why does the map only use ranges of cases (e.g., 5-9 cases) and not exact numbers?

Health-related data, including when someone tests positive for COVID-19, is protected by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). Under this federal law, public health agencies and healthcare providers must do everything within our power to protect the privacy of residents or patients. We use ranges of cases in our dashboard to assure the privacy of residents with COVID-19 while still providing meaningful data to our municipalities.

5. Are there cases of COVID-19 in my community?

It is safe to assume that every community in Lake County is impacted by COVID-19. We can all help prevent the spread of illness by:

• Diligently following the “stay-at-home” order   

• Strictly adhering to social distancing guidelines    

• Washing your hands frequently 

• Covering coughs and sneezes  

• Staying home and isolating yourself from others in your household if you are sick