Will County at Warning Level
The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) announced today that 14 counties are considered to be at warning level for COVID-19, one of which is Will County.
A county enters a warning level when two or more COVID-19 risk indicators that measure the amount of COVID-19 increase. Here are the warning levels for Will County:
“These counties saw cases or outbreaks associated with weddings, businesses, birthday parties, long-term care facilities and other congregate settings, bars, sports camps, and spread among members of the same household,” said the IDPH in the press release. “Public health officials are seeing people in some communities are not wearing masks, or if they are, they are being worn incorrectly.”
The metrics are updated weekly, from the Sunday-Saturday of the prior week.
Will County Health Department
On August 17, The Will County Health Department (WCHD) said in a press release that counties designated as “warning levels” are asked to implement measures for increased testing and contact tracing. WCHD said they have already been doing that.
For testing, the WCCHC (Will County Community Health Center) Mobile Medical Unit has been testing for COVID-19 for the public and clients and employees from various shelters and organizations. More information can be found here.
The health department has also started its Contact Tracing Program. Contact tracers are working remotely to get in touch with residents who may have been exposed to coronavirus by someone who recently tested positive. According to the press release, currently 30 contact tracers are working various remote shifts. Up to 60 contact tracers may eventually be hired.
If a contact tracer is calling you, the caller ID should read “COVID CONTACT,” with the phone number 312-777-1999.
DuPage County
DuPage County is not at warning level since it has triggered only one warning for one of the IDPH’s metrics. The county is currently at 82 new cases per 100,000 in a one-week period.
The target is to be at less than 50 per 100,000.
Last week DuPage County asked community members to use precautions that help limit the spread of COVID-19 and warned they will impose restrictions if needed if numbers continue to climb.
Naperville News 17’s Aysha Ashley Househ reports.