Health Officials Urge Lake Co. Residents To Wear Masks Indoors

LAKE COUNTY, IL — Public health officials are again urging Lake County residents to wear masks while indoors in public places, including on public transportation. Lake County is among 28 Illinois counties now at a high community level for COVID-19 transmission, according to seven-day community level data collected by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Data.

Lake and DuPage counties are among the Chicago-area counties currently at a high level while McHenry, Cook, Kendall and Will counties are listed at a medium level of transmission, according to the data, which is updated every Thursday. Kane County currently has a low level of transmission.

With 71 counties in the state currently at the medium or high level, Illinois Department of Public Health acting director Amaal Tokars says most counties are currently at an elevated risk for COVID transmission.

“We urge everyone to protect themselves by making sure they are up-to-date with vaccines and booster shots. This is especially important for people who are vulnerable to serious medical outcomes," Tokars said. "In areas with elevated community levels, you should wear your mask in indoor public places and avoid indoor crowded spaces. If needed, contact a healthcare provider promptly to discuss what treatment is right for you.”

The CDC recommends the following measures for people in areas that are rated at high community level for COVID-19 transmission:

• Wear a well-fitting mask indoors in public, regardless of vaccination status, including in K-12 schools and other indoor community settings
• If you are immunocompromised or high risk for severe disease:
  • Wear a mask or respirator that provides you with greater protection
  • Consider avoiding non-essential indoor activities in public where you could be exposed
  • Talk to your healthcare provider about whether you need to take other precautions
  • Have a plan for rapid testing if needed (having home tests or access to testing)
  • If you test positive: Talk to your healthcare provider about whether you are a candidate for treatments like oral antivirals and monoclonal antibodies
• If you have household or social contact with someone at high risk for severe disease:
  • consider self-testing to detect infection before contact
  • consider wearing a mask when indoors with them
• Stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines and boosters
• Maintain improved ventilation throughout indoor spaces when possible
• Follow CDC recommendations for isolation and quarantine, including getting tested if you are exposed to COVID-19 or have symptoms of COVID-19

For those living in communities listed at a medium risk for transmission, the CDC recommends:

• Stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines
• Get tested if you have symptoms
• Wear a mask if you have symptoms, a positive test, or exposure to someone with COVID-19.
• Wear a mask on public transportation
• You may choose to wear a mask at any time as an additional precaution to protect yourself and others
• If you are at high risk for severe illness, consider wearing a mask indoors in public and taking additional precautions