Coronavirus In Grayslake: Up To 14 Confirmed Cases

LAKE COUNTY, IL — Lake County continues to see a spike in new coronavirus cases. On Thursday, the Lake County Health Department reported 77 new cases and five new deaths, bringing the total number of cases to 542.

To date, there have been 12 deaths reported in the county, according to health officials.

In Grayslake, there have been between 10 to 14 confirmed cases of coranavirus reported to the local health department. Here are the number of cases reported in nearby towns as of Thursday afternoon:

• Round Lake: 20 to 24
• Round Lake Beach: 5 to 9
• Libertyville: 20 to 24
• Lindenhurst: 5 to 9
• Waukegan: 60 to 64 cases
• Gurnee: 25 to 29 cases
• Vernon Hills: 10 to 14
• Mundelein: 10 to 14
• Lake Forest: 45 to 49

The five new deaths, a big jump considering 12 total deaths have been reported during the coronavirus outbreak, were among residents who all had underlying health conditions, which is a risk factor for severe illness from COVID-19. The deaths include:

• One man and woman in their 60s;
• Two men in their 70s; and
• A man in his 80s.

"We extend our deepest sympathies to the families who have lost their loved ones," said Tim Sashko, Lake County Board of Health President. "Our thoughts and prayers go out to you, to all residents who are battling this disease, and to all Lake County families bearing an immense emotional burden of uncertainty during this difficult time."

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Meanwhile, the Lake County Health Department is investigating 12 long-term care facilities in the county that have two or more confirmed cases. These 12 facilities have a combined total of 70 confirmed COVID-19 cases.

The Health Department is working closely with these facilities to prevent further spread of the virus and to equip them with Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) as needed, according to a health department news release.

"At this point, it is clear there is substantial community-based transmission of COVID-19 in Lake County," said Lake County Health Department Executive Director Mark Pfister. "This is why we have been urging residents to stay home. Even when going out for necessities like groceries, limit your time in stores and use delivery, drive-through, or curb-side pick-up whenever possible."

The Health Department operates a Crisis Care Hotline for residents, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at (847) 377-8088. Starting today, in addition to the mental health counselors who staff the hotline, the Health Department has added certified addiction counselors to provide support for people with substance use disorders.

During this time when many substance use treatment centers have reduced availability and staffing and many support groups are unable to meet due to the stay at home order, help is available over the phone.

Health Department Offers Advice For Staying Healthy

It "critically important" for residents to follow prescribed preventative measures such as social distancing and the "3Cs" to avoid getting sick:

• Clean hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, or use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol;
• Cover your cough and sneeze with a tissue or your elbow; and
• Contain illness by staying home if you are sick.

Social Distancing

• Stay home as much as possible.
• Maintain a distance of 6 feet between yourself and others.
• Call to check on family, neighbors, and older adults instead of visiting.
• Check with your healthcare provider about telehealth options.

What to do if you are sick

If you develop a fever and symptoms of respiratory illness, such as cough or shortness of breath, stay home and call your doctor. Distance yourself from others in the household and if possible, stay in your own bedroom and use your own bathroom. Contact your doctor if your illness is worsening (for example, you have difficulty breathing).

Do not walk into a healthcare facility, urgent care clinic, or hospital before calling. Discuss your symptoms with your doctor. If your doctor believes that you need to be tested for COVID-19, your doctor should refer you to a COVID-19 testing site. The Lake County Health Department should only be contacted by your doctor to facilitate testing through the State lab for patients who are hospitalized or those who live or work in congregate settings (e.g., schools, long term care facilities, and group homes).

Residents who do not have a primary care provider can contact the Lake County Health Department and Community Health Center at (847) 377-8800 to schedule an appointment.

Testing availability

Testing is being prioritized for people with symptoms who have high risk of complications. This includes older adults living in congregate settings and those with chronic health conditions like heart disease, lung disease, or diabetes, and those with weakened immune systems. People who do not show any symptoms do not need to get tested.

A number of healthcare providers in Lake County currently have tests available. The Public Health Emergency Operations Center (PHEOC) is working to collect information on the availability of testing in Lake County and will provide updates at www.lakecountyil.gov/coronavirus as it becomes available.

Health Department Service Modifications

The Health Department’s Community Health Centers continue to provide care for patients during this time, and modifications have been made to protect the health and safety of all patients and staff:

• Services are being provided over the phone when possible
• Social distancing measures have been put in place in the clinics
• Non-urgent in-person visits are being rescheduled for 4-6 weeks in the future
• Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) services are provided over the phone, and WIC coupons are provided curb-side

For a full list of changes to health center services, locations, and hours, please visit www.lakecountyil.gov/healthclosures.

Additional resources

Visit www.lakecountyil.gov/coronavirus for updates on COVID-19 in Lake County, guidance on preventing the spread of COVID-19, an interactive map of cases by municipality, and to sign up for the Lake County Health Department’s COVID-19 email newsletter.

The Health Department has established an email address: COVID19@lakecountyil.gov, to answer general questions from the community. Residents can submit an email with general COVID-19 questions, and public health officials will answer the top questions weekly. The Health Department will not use this service to offer medical advice or answer questions related to people who test positive for COVID-19. If you have personal medical questions, contact your healthcare provider.

For a list of government closures, visit: www.lakecountyil.gov/closures.

Anyone needing assistance finding food, shelter, rent or utility assistance, or other essential services, CALL 211 or TEXT your zip code to 898211 to speak with someone who can help 24/7. To receive general COVID-19 information via text message, text “COVID19” to 211211. For more information, visit https://211lakecounty.org/.

Additional resources if you need assistance: https://www.lakecountyil.gov/GetHelp.

For general state and national information, please call the Illinois State Hotline at 1-800-899-3931, or visit the Illinois Department of Public Health website at dph.illinois.gov, or the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website at coronavirus.gov.