Coronavirus: DuPage Coroner Buys Mobile Morgue

WHEATON, IL — DuPage County has bought a mobile morgue unit to be prepared for the possibility of a large number of deaths because of the coronavirus, Coroner Richard Jorgensen announced Friday. The unit, he said, would be installed on the coroner's property in a "secure and respectful way."

"I have had numerous calls from our local hospitals, nursing homes and funeral directors concerning the need for facilities if a worst-case scenario of this pandemic occurred," Jorgensen said in a statement.

He said the unit would be available until the end of the pandemic and could be expanded if needed.

“I have personally spoken to every hospital and funeral director in DuPage County to inform them of this facility and the policy and procedure for how we will use it," the coroner said. "We are dedicated to addressing this uncertain and unprecedented event and will do all we can to prepare for and address the needs required of us.”

As of Thursday, DuPage County had 438 confirmed cases of the coronavirus, including 13 deaths, according to the county's health department. Willowbreak leads the way in cases with 44, largely because of an outbreak in a nursing home. Naperville is second with 33.

In an interview last week, Jorgensen told Patch that the county morgue had the ability to store 60 bodies. About 10 percent of that space is typically used, he said.

"We have worked very hard in our office to be prepared for a mass disaster, especially with O'Hare near us and so many trains running through the county," Jorgensen told Patch. "We have worked hard on developing a mass disaster plan and having the capacity to handle things, hoping we never have to use the plan."

Read more:

Illinois Coronavirus Update April 3: 7,697 Cases, 167 Deaths

Don't miss updates as they are announced. Sign up for Patch news alerts and newsletters.