Skokie Health Department Monitoring Coronavirus Developments

Skokie Health Department Continues Monitoring Coronavirus

As concern over the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) grows, Skokie Health Department officials are in daily contact with the Illinois Department of Public Health and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that are managing the state and national response. An internal response team is meeting regularly to review information updates and plan the Village’s COVID-19 response. Based on what we know right now, the immediate health risk to Skokie residents is low.

The Village is working closely with community partners, including schools, Skokie Hospital, the Skokie Public Library and other institutions on advance planning should the situation change. Taking common-sense precautions now is the best approach to adopt.

Personal actions that individuals can take are important to keeping themselves, their families, co-workers and community safe and healthy. Please remember the following good health habits:

• Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
• Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap is not available.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Do not share water bottles or similar containers.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Routinely clean frequently touched surfaces and objects.
• Call a doctor if you have a fever, cough, body aches and/or fatigue.
• Stay away from sick people.
• If you or a family member is sick, stay home and limit contact with others.

In addition, Northshore University Health Systems advises that healthy people who are not in an outbreak zone and don’t work in a medical setting don't need to wear a face mask, and that the best way to stay healthy is to wash your hands frequently, stay home if you are sick and avoid others who are sick.

Residents who are sick and have either traveled to a country with sustained community spread of the virus or had close contact with someone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19 should call their healthcare provider.

Click on the links below for more information:

Centers for Disease Control

Illinois Department of Public Health

Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

The Skokie Health Department will share updated information at www.skokie.org as it becomes available. Community members also may contact the Skokie Health Department at 847-933-8252 with questions about the virus.