Friday, November 20, 2020 ● Volume 1, Issue 38
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NEWSLETTER SIGN UP
The COVID-19 Weekly Update will provide current information and resources for DuPage County. We encourage you to share this widely through our community. To subscribe and receive weekly local updates on COVID-19, please fill out this form.
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Tier 3 Mitigations for Region 8
as Rolling Positivity Rates Continue to Increase
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Due to a severe uptick in COVID-19 case counts and community spread, the State of Illinois has announced implementation of Tier 3 mitigations. Illinois communities in every corner of the state are facing record high case counts, and these additional public health actions are necessary to protect residents, businesses and communities.
These measures will introduce new capacity restrictions and operating guidelines for several industries. These actions build on the Resurgence Mitigation Plan released in July to suppress the spread of the virus and to prevent hospital capacity from being overrun. Consistent improvements in reducing daily positivity rates and case counts will allow communities to return to Phase 4 guidelines.
All 11 regions in the state, including DuPage County, will be subject to Tier 3 mitigations until further notice.
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More than 1 million COVID-19 cases were reported in the United States over the last 7 days (November 19, 2020).
As cases continue to increase rapidly across the United States and in DuPage County, the safest way to celebrate Thanksgiving is to celebrate at home with the people you live with.
Gatherings with family and friends who do not live with you can increase the chances of getting or spreading COVID-19.
Traditional Thanksgiving gatherings with family and friends are fun but can increase the chances of getting or spreading COVID-19. Follow these tips to make your Thanksgiving holiday safer.
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Wear a mask
- Wear a mask with two or more layers to stop the spread of COVID-19.
- Wear the mask over your nose and mouth and secure it under your chin.
- Make sure the mask fits snugly against the sides of your face.
Stay at least 6 feet away from others who do not live with you
- Remember that some people without symptoms may be able to spread COVID-19 or flu.
- Keeping 6 feet (about 2 arm lengths) from others is especially important for people who are at higher risk of getting very sick.
Wash your hands
- Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
- Keep hand sanitizer with you and use it when you are unable to wash your hands.
- Use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
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Travel may increase your chance of getting and spreading COVID-19.
Postponing travel and staying home is the best way to protect yourself and others this year.
If you are considering traveling for Thanksgiving, use information from the following CDC webpages to decide whether to go on holiday travel:
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Every week, the DuPage County Health Department will be sharing the most frequently asked questions about the coronavirus pandemic to help educate and inform county residents. For the week of November 20, 2020 the FAQs are:
When will a COVID-19 vaccine be available in the United States?
The goal for Operation Warp Speed is to deliver safe vaccines that work, with the first supply becoming available before the end of 2020. When a vaccine is authorized or approved in the United States, there may not be enough doses available for all adults. Supplies will increase over time, and all adults should be able to get vaccinated later in 2021. However, a COVID-19 vaccine may not be available for young children until more studies are completed.
Will there be enough vaccine for everyone?
When FDA first authorizes or approves the use of one or more COVID-19 vaccines in the United States, there may be a limited supply. This would mean that not everyone will be able to be vaccinated right away. It is understandable how concerning this would be for people, especially for those who are at increased risk for serious illness from this virus and for their loved ones.
That is why, early in the response, the federal government began investing in select vaccine manufacturers to help them increase their ability to quickly make and distribute a large amount of COVID-19 vaccine. This will allow the United States to start with as much vaccine as possible and continually increase the supply in the weeks and months to follow. The goal is for everyone to be able to easily get a COVID-19 vaccine as soon as large quantities are available. Several thousand vaccination providers will be available, including doctors’ offices, retail pharmacies, hospitals, and federally qualified health centers.
What can I do now to help protect myself from getting COVID-19 since a vaccine is not yet available?
You should cover your mouth and nose with a mask when around others, avoid close contact with people who are sick, stay 6 feet away from others, avoid crowds, and wash your hands often. Get more information about these and other steps you can take to protect yourself and others from COVID-19.
What if there is limited supply? How will groups be prioritized?
You should cover your mouth and nose with a mask when around others, avoid close contact with people who are sick, stay 6 feet away from others, avoid crowds, and wash your hands often. Get more information about these and other steps you can take to protect yourself and others from COVID-19.
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COVID-19 ADDITIONAL RESOURCES |
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DuPage County is providing Coronavirus Relief Funds (CRF) in the form of Emergency and Short-term Assistance in response to the COVID-19 Pandemic. This emergency rental assistance targets low income households who have experienced a financial hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic and whose financial hardship has not been resolved through another source of assistance. The DuPage CRF Housing Assistance Program is for DuPage County residents only. Properties requesting mortgage assistance must be located in DuPage County.
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Testing Site Locations in DuPage County |
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The DuPage County Health Department reminds residents that there are various COVID-19 testing locations throughout DuPage County. For a list of testing locations near you including CVS and Physicians Immediate Care, visit the IDPH Testing webpage.
Additionally, Walgreens also offers COVID-19 testing.
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Pillars Community Health
COVID-19 Testing in Willowbrook
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Pillars Community Health offers drive-up testing for COVID-19 across the street from Burr Ridge Middle School in Burr Ridge.
Testing is restricted to people who are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 or who have had a close contact with a confirmed exposure. Limited tests available; an appointment IS REQUIRED: Call
708-PILLARS (708-745-5277) and follow the prompts.
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VNA Health Care COVID-19 Testing |
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VNA Health Care offers COVID-19 testing by appointment only to new and existing patients with or without symptoms.
Community mobile testing clinics are also available in Bensenville and West Chicago through VNA Health Care.
VNA Mobile Clinic at St. Alexis Catholic Church
400 W Wood Ave, Bensenville, IL, 60106
VNA Mobile Clinic at St. Andrew's Church
155 N Prince Crossing Rd, West Chicago, IL, 60185
To schedule an appointment, call (630) 892-4355 or (847) 717-6455.
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Flu Vaccine Voucher Program DuPage County |
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This year, it’s more important than ever to make sure everyone in your family gets a flu vaccine. Getting your flu shot will help to keep you, your family, and your community safe and can help you avoid co-infection of COVID-19 and the flu.
The DuPage Health Coalition is joining partners in DuPage County to make it easier for all of individuals to stay healthy and flu-free. With funding provided by DuPage County, DHC is offering free flu vaccine vouchers to uninsured DuPage County residents whose financial circumstances make it difficult to get their annual flu shot.
Vouchers will be sent to individuals who request them (by email or mail) and can be redeemed at any DuPage County Walgreens until December 31st, while supplies last.
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Illinois COVID-19 Hotline and Email Address |
If you have questions about Coronavirus - Call the Illinois Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Hotline:
Both are available anytime, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
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Friday, November 20, 2020 ● Volume 1, Issue 38
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