Hundreds Of Lake Foresters Likely Have Coronavirus, Mayor Warns

LAKE FOREST, IL — Warning Lake Forest was becoming the "number one hot spot" in Lake County for the new coronavirus, Mayor George Pandaleon urged residents to take the governor's statewide stay-at-home order more seriously and practice social distancing.

"Frankly, I expected better from Lake Foresters," Pandaleon said. "As a city we have a responsibility to do the right thing."

The governor's order forbids groups of 10 or more and mandates social distancing practices, including keeping six feet away from non-household members.

Public health officials say maintaining physical distance is key to slowing the spread of COVID-19, the disease caused by the new strain of coronavirus that first emerged last year in China.

But not everyone in Lake Forest has gotten the memo, the mayor said Thursday in a video message.

"I personally, along with other members of the community, have witnessed many instances where social distancing is not being practiced. In our neighborhoods, at the beach, at the lakefront and on the grounds of Deer Path golf course," Pandaleon said.

"I have seen neighborhood get-togethers where groups of friends have been way too close together, and many cars carrying three to five young people driving around town. I doubt that they are all from the same household."

Lake Forest has so far kept its parks and lakefront open to the public to allow people to enjoy the outdoors, Pandaleon said.

But if residents do not heed the order to keep their distance from one another as the weather warms, he said he would be forced to order the closure of the parks.

"Lake Forest is a community of caring, giving neighbors, we will get through this crisis together," the mayor said. "Staying home and maintaining social distance are painful necessities but they are critical in protecting the health and well being of you, your family and your neighbors. Please take this much more seriously."

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According to data released by the Lake County Health Department, Lake Forest had between 30 and 34 residents test positive for COVID-19 as of Thursday. Its rate of confirmed infections was the highest in the county, at 15.35 per 10,000 residents.

Patti Corn, emergency response coordinator for the health department, said there were many reasons why some towns may have more confirmed coronavirus cases than another.

"People who live in those communities may have greater access to testing than people who live in other areas of the county," Corn said. "People who live in those communities may also have traveled more to areas where there's a higher prevalence of COVID-19 that was occurring before Illinois was issued the stay-at-home order by our governor."

As of Thursday afternoon, there were 184 total cases in Lake County, according to its health department. No deaths in the county had been attributed to the virus, according to Coroner Howard Cooper, who said his office had implemented a pandemic plan.

In Illinois, there have been more than 2,500 cases and 26 deaths, with 673 new infections reported Thursday.

"There are likely to be literally hundreds of Lake Foresters who are carrying this virus, are contagious and do not know it because they have not developed any symptoms," Pandaleon said, citing warnings from Lake Forest Hospital officials. "Local health officials confirm that the situation will get significantly worse, and even more so if we don't take responsible social distancing seriously."