Kane Co. Coroner Prepares For Possible 'Tsunami' Of Deaths

KANE COUNTY, IL — Kane County Coroner Rob Russell is preparing for the potential of more deaths in the coming weeks as the number of coronavirus cases across the state are expected to spike. He has a 30-foot refrigerated trailer on hand to help if "we get a tsunami of people dying at once," he told Patch in an email response Monday.

The trailer could help transport bodies from the hospitals and to the funeral homes.

"Trailer is empty right now. I hope it stays that way but we are prepared if it is needed," he wrote to Patch.

As of Monday afternoon, Russell reported 20 people had died due to COVID-19 and three additional deaths are being investigated as potentially being caused by coronavirus. Tests results should confirm that, Russell said.

Here is a breakdown of the deaths, the ages and their hometown:

• Elgin residents who have died from COVID-19: 91-year-old man, 71-year-old man, 74-year-old man, 91-year-old woman, 62-year-old man, 102-year-old man
• Aurora residents who have died from COVID-19: 97-year-old man, 96-year-old man, 92-year-old woman, 86-year-old woman
• Sugar Grove residents: 80-year-old man, 83-year-old woman
• Yorkville residents: 68-year-old man, 61-year-old woman
• Geneva resident: 61-year-old man
• North Aurora: 74-year-old man
• South Elgin: 40-year-old man
• Huntley: 88-year-old man
• Montgomery: 70-year-old man
• Bedford Park resident (who died at a Kane Co. hospital): 83-year-old man

The Kane County Coroner's Office plans to update a breakdown of demographics regarding the countywide deaths on Monday afternoon.

Meanwhile, health officials urge residents to remain vigilant in doing their part to "flatten the curve" as the number of coronavirus cases and deaths continue to rise in Kane County and across the state. As of April 6, 12,262 people across the state have tested positive for COVID-19 and 307 have died from the virus.

• County-By-County Look At Coronavirus Cases In Chicago-Area
• Coronavirus In Illinois: How You Can Help
• Illinois Coronavirus Update April 6: 11,256 Cases; 274 Deaths

Cases have continued to climb since the first case was reported in the state on Jan. 24. That patient lived in the city of Chicago. March 11 marked the first day cases were reported outside of Chicago and Cook County, according to state health officials. Those patients lived in Kane and McHenry counties.

The Illinois Department of Public Health has been tracking the steady rise of cases:

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Meanwhile, state officials are urging residents to do their part in helping to "flatten the curve." Older adults and people who have severe underlying medical conditions, such as heart, lung disease or diabetes, are most at risk for developing serious health complications or dying from COVID-19.

They are urged to stay home and away from people, according to the Center for Disease Control.

Even those who are young and healthy are at risk of contracting COVID-19 and spreading it to others, including those who are vulnerable to serious illness. In addition, those who are not showing symptoms can still have the virus and pass it on to others, which makes social distancing, the practice of putting at least six feet between you and other people, so important, according to the CDC.

Health officials are asking everyone to:

• Washing their hands often for at least 20 seconds
• If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands. Make sure to cover your coughs and sneezes with your hand and wash your hands for at least 20 seconds immediately after.
• Everyone should wear a cloth face cover when they have to go out in public, for example to the grocery store or to pick up other necessities.
• Cloth face coverings should not be placed on young children under age 2, anyone who has trouble breathing, or is unconscious, incapacitated or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance.
• Continue to keep about 6 feet between yourself and others. The cloth face cover is not a substitute for social distancing.
• Clean AND disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily. This includes tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, and sinks.

The Center for Disease Control provides more updates on how to stay safe and healthy amid the COVID-19 outbreak. So does the Illinois Department of Public Health website.

County Updates

Several counties in the Chicago area have websites, which provide updates on case counts and guidance to area residents. Some of those sites also have a break down of the number of COVID-19 cases by town.

Here are links to those websites:

• Illinois Department of Public Health: http://www.dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/diseases-and-conditions/diseases-a-z-list/coronavirus
• Cook County/City of Chicago: https://www.cookcountypublichealth.org/communicable-diseases/covid-19/
• Suburban Cook County: https://ccdphcd.shinyapps.io/covid19/
• McHenry County: https://www.mchenrycountyil.gov/county-government/departments-a-i/health-department/covid-19-novel-coronavirus
• Lake County: https://www.lakecountyil.gov/4423/Lake-County-COVID-19-Dashboard
• Kane County: http://kanehealth.com/
• DuPage County: https://www.dupagehealth.org/610/DuPage-County-COVID-19-Dashboard
• Will County: https://c19-willcountygis.hub.arcgis.com/