Mokena Mayor Urges Attention To Recent Coronavirus Surge

MOKENA, IL — Mokena Mayor Frank Fleischer is urging Mokena residents and businesses to step up their efforts in response to dramatic spikes in the coronavirus. Fleischer said the number of reported positive cases in the community has increased dramatically over the past few weeks.

“We had been seeing a fairly stable number of cases up until last month," Fleischer said in a release. “In October, that number roughly doubled, and now in November we’re seeing over three times as many cases as we did in October. This is a big deal.”

Mokena is part of Region 7, which includes Will and Kankakee counties. In its most recent data, IDPH shows the number of available ICU beds in Region 7 at 15 percent.

Fleischer said that in light of these numbers, residents should seriously reconsider plans for
Thanksgiving and the upcoming holidays.

“I am hearing a lot lately from our local health officials that one of the biggest sources of virus spread is family gatherings," Fleischer said in a release. “If you want to gather, limit the gathering to those who live in your home. Don’t put your loved ones at risk by inviting in family members that do not live with you. I know this will be extremely difficult for many of us, but it’s necessary if we are to get this virus under control.”

He is encouraging Mokena residents to exercise patience and take the long view, stressing that
distribution of a reliable COVID-19 vaccine may not be too far off.

In the meantime, Fleischer is specifically asking Mokena residents to wear a face covering in
public, wash and sanitize their hands frequently, and always practice social distancing.

“These are not difficult things to do, and they’ll make a world of difference in helping us stop this surge and beat this virus.”