Friday, December 4, 2020 ● Volume 1, Issue 40
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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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Health Department Planning for COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution in DuPage County
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In anticipation of COVID-19 vaccine availability, the DuPage County Health Department (DCHD) is preparing to receive and distribute vaccines later this month. This work includes developing plans to ensure equitable and timely distribution, assessing logistical capabilities, and communicating vaccine safety and effectiveness to diverse populations in multiple sectors.
Additionally, DCHD officials are working with partners at all levels, including hospitals, health care providers, and community leaders, on flexible COVID-19 vaccination programs that can accommodate different vaccines and scenarios.
In accordance with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and their Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommendations, DCHD will follow a multi-phased approach. The following priority groups have been recommended for vaccination at this time. These are subject to change.
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Phase 1a: Health care personnel and long-term care residents will be prioritized for initial vaccine allocation.
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Phase 1b: Essential workers (e.g., Education Sector, Food & Agriculture, Utilities, Police, Firefighters, Corrections Officers, Transportation).
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Phase 1c: Adults with high-risk medical conditions and adults 65 years and older.
Additional information on the implementation and local availability of a COVID-19 vaccine will be shared as it becomes available.
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DuPage County COVID-19
Vaccine Information Available on Website
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The DuPage County Health Department (DCHD) has launched a COVID-19 Vaccine webpage for the public to stay informed on the latest information regarding vaccine and plans for distribution. As more information becomes available, DCHD will update and share on its website and social media channels.
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Downers Grove Volunteer Gave 484 Hours at
COVID-19 Testing Site
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Josephine "Jo" Potts is a volunteer who stood out at DuPage's COVID-19 drive-through testing site at the county fairgrounds in Wheaton. Of the 111 volunteers who have worked at least one 4-hour shift from mid-June to the end of October, Potts worked a whopping 484 hours.
"It is far and away the most of any volunteer," said DuPage County Board member Grant Eckhoff of Wheaton. "The people who are at the testing site, and all the people who have gone to it to be tested in DuPage County, are indebted to her for all her time and work."
For Potts, volunteering was a way to be helpful during what is, hopefully, just a "once-in-a-century" pandemic. Yet, not all of Potts' family members were initially on board. "I'm going to be 70 next month, so I'm in the high-risk group," Potts said. The Downers Grove resident added that her teenage grandchildren "thought that I was going to die."
But Potts said the safety precautions at the testing site were rigorous. Face masks were mandatory at all times -- so much so that Potts joked that she might not recognize some volunteers and workers because she never saw them with their masks off. Health questionnaires and temperature screenings were administered daily at the site. Potts also was impressed by the copious amounts of sanitizer on hand, and that no two people were allowed to use the same pen twice without it being disinfected.
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COVID-19 ADDITIONAL RESOURCES |
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DuPage County Drive-Thru COVID-19 Test Sites |
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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. Please note: Pre-registration does not guarantee testing or a place in line for that day.
421 N County Farm Rd, Wheaton, IL
Monday - Friday, 7 a.m. to noon, or until test capacity is met.
1033 N. Villa Avenue, Villa Park, IL
Sunday - Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., or until test capacity is met.
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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, December 4, 2020 ● Volume 1, Issue 40
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