Friday, August 28, 2020 ● Volume 1, Issue 26
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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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State of Illinois Updates Safety Guidelines
For Restaurants And Bar Establishments
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The State of Illinois has announced revised guidelines for restaurants and bar establishments statewide to operate safely and help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Based on a recent increase in cases, these latest guidelines will require patrons:
- Wear a mask during any interaction with wait staff, food service workers and other employees at bars and restaurants.
- Face coverings must be worn over the nose and mouth when patrons are approached and served by staff, including but not limited to when employees take patrons orders, deliver food and beverages, and service tables.
This guidance will also apply to other facilities with food services areas that are currently subject to the Restore Illinois guidance, such as indoor recreational facilities, museums and entertainment venues.
The new guidelines went into effect Wednesday, August 26th and will require face coverings to be worn both in indoor and outdoor dining settings in all eleven regions of the state.
Full guidelines may be found on the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) website.
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Health Department Provides
Return to School Framework
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DUPAGE COUNTY— The DuPage County Health Department (DCHD) is releasing a “Return to School Framework” with the DuPage Regional Office of Education (DuPage ROE). As COVID-19 cases continue to rise locally, the “Return to School Framework” recommends that school officials review and consider the level of disease activity in their communities as they make decisions about if and when to shift between learning models this school year. DCHD has been working closely with the DuPage ROE and school district administrators in DuPage County to help inform plans for safely reopening schools this fall.
“Reopening schools is complicated, as is providing guidance for a virus we are still learning about. This framework will help school officials and parents understand when it is appropriate to transition to more in-person learning,” said Karen Ayala, DuPage County Health Department Executive Director.
“As we begin the school year, our school leaders have resources from the Illinois Department of Public Health and the Dupage County Health Department that will allow them to make decisions to keep our students, teachers, and families healthy and safe,” said Dr. Darlene Ruscitti, Superintendent, DuPage County Regional Office of Education.
In addition, DCHD will post the current level of Community Transmission weekly each Friday afternoon on the Schools and Daycares page. As of today, the level of COVID-19 Community Transmission in DuPage County is “Moderate”.
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The University of Illinois to Participate in National Vaccine Trial
To Test a Potential Vaccine Against COVID-19
The University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) is the only university in Chicago selected for the national clinical trial to test a potential vaccine against SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, which is being spearheaded by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease. The study will enroll up to 1,000 people into the trial, which aims to understand if the vaccine helps to give people immunity or protection against the virus.
Participants will be assigned randomly to one of two groups: a study group, which will receive the vaccine, and a control group, which will receive a placebo. Neither the researchers nor the participants will know who gets the vaccine. About 500 people will get the vaccine, which will be administered as a series of two shots over the course of four weeks. The other half of the participants will receive a placebo.
People can also call UIC researchers at 312-355-0656 with questions.
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COVID-19 ADDITIONAL RESOURCES |
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Illinois Housing Development Authority is Assisting Households
Impacted by COVID-19
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The Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) is now accepting applications for the new $150M Emergency Mortgage Assistance program to provide support for homeowners during this pandemic and give them the time they need to regain their financial footing.
Families that have been unable to pay their mortgage due to COVID-19, can now apply for financial assistance through IHDA. Funds are limited so families are encouraged to complete an application as early as possible. Only one application per household is allowed. If approved, families will receive a grant of up to $15,000 that will be sent to their servicer to be applied against their mortgage.
► Applications will be accepted through September 4, 2020.
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New Chance to Access Health Coverage
Allows Additional People to Enroll in Coverage
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People who lost their health insurance any time this year have a new chance to enroll in coverage at HealthCare.gov. With unprecedented unemployment during the pandemic and economic crisis, millions of people have lost their job-based insurance. Normally, people who lose their insurance get a 60-day special enrollment period (SEP) to enroll in coverage. But, thanks to a recent change, people who missed their 60-day deadline can still enroll in coverage.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) SEP gives people extra time to enroll because of the nationwide COVID-19 pandemic national emergency declaration.
This means that if someone was eligible for a SEP at some point this year but didn’t enroll, they may still qualify for coverage. Their coverage could start as early as next month or even extend back to the first date they would have been eligible. Most people can get a discount on their health insurance at HealthCare.gov.
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DuPage County
Drive-Thru COVID-19 Testing Site
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DuPage County is offering community-based COVID-19 drive-thru testing at the DuPage County Complex. The entrance is located on County Farm Road a few blocks North of Roosevelt Road at a stoplight. Follow the signs through the campus to the test site.
The testing site is open Tuesday through Saturday from 7 am until the daily test limit is reached.No appointment, symptoms or insurance is required.
► New Hours: Beginning Monday, August 31, 2020, the DuPage County COVID-19 Testing Site will be open Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to noon or until the daily test capacity is met.
For more information about the testing site or what to expect, please click here.
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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.
Limited tests available; appointment required; please call 708-PILLARS (708-745-5277) .
Testing is available on Tuesdays 9 am-Noon and Thursdays from 9 am-1 pm to
anyone with symptoms of COVID-19; or anyone with a known exposure to COVID-19 (have been in contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19); or asymptomatic, high-risk patients, first responders, health care workers, or essential workers who wish to be tested.
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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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2020 Census Spread the Word
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The 2020 Census is in the last stretch with the deadline of September 30, 2020 fast-approaching. Data collected in the census will inform the distribution of more than $675 billion in federal funds to states and communities each year for the next 10 years for things like health care, food assistance, and infrastructure.
Check in with your friends and family to make sure they have been counted in the 2020 Census, and encourage them to reach out to their friends too!
It’s important that we all respond to shape the future of our communities. Learn more and respond to the census today at 2020CENSUS.GOV.
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Illinois COVID-19 Hotline and Email Address
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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, August 28, 2020 ● Volume 1, Issue 26
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