Coronavirus IL: Will County Confirmed Cases Reaches 26

JOLIET, IL — The number of Will County residents who have tested positive for coronavirus continues to rise and is now spread over more than a dozen communities around the region, the Will County Health Department announced Monday. The department released its latest findings Monday afternoon, which show that 26 people have now tested positive, including 16 women and 10 men ranging in age from their 20s to 70s.

The total of confirmed cases in the county is up from 21 on Sunday evening.

As part of its response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the county now has two testing sites for first responders and healthcare workers.

Testing began Sunday at the Walmart in Joliet, located at 2424 W. Jefferson St., while a second testing site — located at 695 W. Boughton Road in Bolingbrook — opened to first responders and healthcare workers Monday morning. Both sites operate from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily or until daily testing limits are reached. Approximately 70 tests can be completed daily at the Joliet site, Mayor Bob O'Dekirk announced Monday.

According to the Will County Health Department, first responders are defined as “any individual responding to the public health task or mission, as determined by jurisdiction.” Healthcare workers are described as “any individual working or providing direct patient care in acute or critical settings (such as hospitals, clinics, long-term care facilities, and emergency medicine.

While drive-through testing is currently limited to first responders and healthcare workers, the county health department indicated that the first step, however, remains for individuals to isolate and self-monitor themselves if they believe they have been exposed and to monitor their own or family member’s symptoms. If the individual has symptoms that include a fever, a cough, and shortness of breath; they should immediately contact their health care provider, who would know their medical background, and can recommend whether hospitalization and/or testing is needed.

During a press conference on Monday, O'Dekirk said that city officials in both Joliet and around Will County officials continue to work together to deal with the pandemic as efficiently as possible. The city has posted a COVID-19 resource page on its website for residents seeking up-to-date information.

O'DeKirk said Monday that as more confirmed cases are announced, it remains clear that local officials will see a spike in positive cases. But he is confident the city and county are "up for the challenge" and will remain committed to seeing local residents through.

"I understand — I think we all do — that these are trying times and that a lot of people are going through difficult circumstances right now," added O'Dekirk, who said Monday he has been able to live in his home for the past two weeks while his step-son has been under quarantine for health issues and does not anticipate returning home anytime soon. "It's tough for people who are out of work, it's tough for small business owners to operate or to know if they can continue to operate....(but) as a community, I'm confident we're going to get through this.

He added: "We're all going to make it through this."