Village Officials Share Coronavirus Updates

From the Village of Arlington Heights:

03/02/2020

Released March 2, 2020 at 4 PM CST:

Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19)

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is responding to an outbreak of respiratory disease caused by a novel (new) coronavirus. The virus has been named “SARS-CoV-2” and the disease it causes has been named “coronavirus disease 2019” (abbreviated “COVID-19”).

Communication from the Illinois Department of Public Health and Cook County Department of Public Health
On Monday, March 2, 2020 at 11:34 AM, the Illinois Department of Public Health and Cook County Department of Public Health announced that a fourth Illinois patient has tested positive for COVID-19. The individual is a woman in her 70s and is the spouse of the third case – a man in his 70s. This fourth case is quarantined at home and is complying with health officials. Both cases are reported to be in good condition. View the statement from IDPH.

Communication from Northwest Community Hospital (NCH)

On Monday, March 2, 2020 at 7:00 AM, Northwest Community Hospital (NCH) released a Media Statement that the State of IL confirmed a third Illinois case of COVID-19 with a patient in isolation and receiving care at NCH. Specialists at the hospital are working closely with officials from the Cook County Department of Public Health, the Illinois Department of Public Health and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. NCH is closely following recommended guidelines outlined by these officials.
View the statement from NCH.

Updated news conference on March 2, 2020 at 1:30 PM:

Hospital officials held a news conference and reported that the man diagnosed with the coronavirus continues to receive treatment at NCH and said that the patient is in good condition and that NCH is following all CDC recommendations regarding the patient and any medical staff who came into contact with the patient.

Communication from School District 25

On March 1, 2020 at 10:02 PM, School District 25 issued a letter to Staff and families regarding a NCH employee that was exposed to a patient diagnosed with coronavirus. The Hospital employee has a family member that is a babysitter for two staff members and their children who work at/attend Dryden, Ivy Hill, Greenbrier, and Olive Mary Stitt. None of these individuals, including the hospital worker are expressing any symptoms at this time. However, to be safe, District 25 is asking these groups of employees and students to stay home.
View the statement from SD25.

Village of Arlington Heights Communication

The Village of Arlington Heights collaborates with the Cook County Department of Public Health and the Illinois Department of Public Health on all health-related topics. We are monitoring this situation very closely in an effort to support these agencies and provide timely updates on our website and on social media.
The public should take this opportunity to prepare and to be familiar with what is recommended in order to help minimize the risk of COVID-19 spread.
Educational Information
Symptoms reported among patients have included mild to severe respiratory illness with fever, cough, and difficulty breathing. Public health officials are encouraging the public to not alter their daily routines and remain vigilant about keeping germs from spreading by covering coughs and sneezes, washing hands with warm soap and water, and staying home when sick.

CDC advises that people follow these tips to help prevent respiratory illnesses:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick with respiratory symptoms.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
• If you have not already done so, discuss influenza vaccination with your health care provider to help protect you against seasonal influenza.

Information on preventing the spread of COVID-19 in our communities, can be found here.

Questions regarding the Coronavirus should be directed to the Illinois Department of Public Health:

• Illinois Department of Public Health
  Call the COVID-19 Hotline at 1-800-889-3931, or email DPH.SICK@ILLINOIS.GOV, or visit the IDPH website.
• Cook County Department of Public Health
  Call 708-633-4000 or visit their webpage.

The Village will provide regular website updates.

This press release was produced by the Village of Arlington Heights. The views expressed here are the author’s own.