Wednesday, November 25, 2020 Volume 1, Issue 39
(630) 682-7400 www.dupagehealth.org
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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
DuPage County COVID-19 Test Site Announces Winter Operations Plan 
The DuPage County COVID-19 Drive-Thru Test Site will activate its Winter Operations Plan starting on Monday, Nov. 30, 2020. The plan will allow testing to be available for individuals through the winter months while maintaining safe conditions for staff and visitors. 
 
The COVID-19 Drive-Thru Test Site location will remain at the DuPage County Complex; however, cars will be redirected to an enclosed, heated structure for testing. The enclosed structure will allow cars to safely drive through to receive COVID-19 testing. As a result, there will be a reduction of lanes which will impact the daily test capacity for the test site. However, other opportunities for community-based testing sites are available in DuPage County. More information can be found on www.dupagehealth.org/covid19testing

“We understand the importance of continuing COVID-19 testing through the winter months. As COVID-19 cases continue to increase, the weather gets colder, and people spend more time indoors, we expect the already high demand of testing to persist,” said Karen Ayala, DuPage County Health Department Executive Director. “This modified plan for drive-thru testing, along with the various testing locations throughout the County, will provide the community access to testing while also keeping testing site staff and residents safe from the cold-weather elements.”

Health Department Wishes Residents a
Safe Thanksgiving Holiday
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.

Follow these tips to make your Thanksgiving holiday safer.
Health Department and COVID-19 Test Sites
Closed to Observe Thanksgiving Holiday
The DuPage County Health Department’s Public Health Centers in Addison, Lombard, West Chicago, Westmont, and Wheaton, as well as the DuPage County COVID-19 Test Sites in Wheaton and Villa Park, will be closed on Thursday, Nov. 26 and Friday, Nov. 27, 2020, in observance of the Thanksgiving Holiday. 
 
The Health Department’s Crisis Hotline
(630) 627-1700 will remain in operation. 
 
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 23, 2020, the FAQs for our Case Investigation and Contact Tracing program are:

Are you a volunteer?

Each person you speak to is a trained Case Investigation and Contact Tracing (CICT) specialist employed by the DuPage County Health Department (DCHD). These specialists undergo a rigorous 2-week training to learn the intricate processes of disease surveillance, interviewing skills and techniques, how to navigate our electronic system, and identify local resources to provide to cases and close contacts, as needed, to reduce spread of COVID-19.

Why do you ask me so many questions? How are you going to use the information I provide?

Because COVID-19 is still a novel virus, information collected regarding symptoms, locations visited, and close contacts helps public health learn more about this virus and how it spreads throughout the community. The information provided helps:
  • To monitor spread and intensity of COVID-19 disease in the United States
  • To understand disease severity and the spectrum of illness
  • To understand risk factors for severe disease and transmission
  • To produce data for forecasting COVID-19 spread and impact

Is DCHD able to do outreach to all cases and close contacts in our area? What are we doing with businesses/schools (what type of outreach)?

The CICT specialists at DCHD are working tirelessly to reach every COVID-19 case in DuPage County, as well as close contacts, as capacity allows. With state and federal funding support, DCHD has significantly expanded our workforce to be able to complete this important work to prevent further spread of COVID-19 within households, schools, workplaces, and the community.

The Health Department also has dedicated COVID-19 response teams to follow-up directly with businesses and educational institutions within DuPage County. These teams provide initial public health guidance and resources, including recommendations for isolation and quarantine for cases and contacts, respectively, as well as symptom monitoring, anticipatory guidance, infection prevention and environmental cleaning/disinfection, and communication templates for close contacts and low-risk contacts.

Why do I need to quarantine after my household confirmed case is done with isolation (if not able to be separate during isolation period)? Does it really take up to 14 days to show symptoms/test positive?

The incubation period (i.e., time from exposure to onset of illness or infection) of the virus that causes COVID-19 is 2-14 days. If you have been exposed to someone who tested positive for COVID-19, it is important you quarantine away from others for the full 14 days to monitor for any development of symptoms. This is crucial in slowing the spread of COVID-19 to your friends, family, and ultimately to the community.
COVID-19 ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
DuPage CRF Housing Assistance Program
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.

DuPage County Drive-Thru COVID-19 Test Sites
The DuPage County Health Department offers two community-based drive-thru testing sites to residents. Anyone can be tested, and no appointment, doctor referral, or insurance is required. Visitors are encouraged to pre-register at testdirectly.com

The site is open Monday through Friday, from 7 am to 6 pm, or until test capacity is met.

The site is open Sunday through Friday, from 10 am to 6 pm, or until test capacity is met.

Please note: Pre-registration does not guarantee testing or a place in line for that day.

For more information, visit www.dupagehealth.org/covid19testing.
Testing Site Locations in DuPage County
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.
Pillars Community Health
COVID-19 Testing in Willowbrook
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.

VNA Health Care COVID-19 Testing
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.

For more information or to view a list of additional VNA locations, visit www.vnahealth.com/covid-19-testing.
Flu Vaccine Voucher Program DuPage County
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.

Learn more at www.accessdupage.org/flu
Illinois COVID-19 Hotline and Email Address
If you have questions about Coronavirus - Call the Illinois Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Hotline:

1 (800) 889-3931 or, send an email to: dph.sick@illinois.gov

Both are available anytime, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Wednesday, November 25, 2020 Volume 1, Issue 39
(630) 682-7400 www.dupagehealth.org