Coronavirus In IL: Lake County Sheriff Suspends Several Events

LAKE COUNTY, IL — Due to the coronavirus and the recommendations from the Center of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Illinois Governor's office to avoid large gatherings, the Lake County Sheriff's office is suspending several community events until further notice, the sheriff's office announced in a news release Friday. The purpose of suspending participation at several "nonessential external community events" is to protect the risk of spreading the coronavirus, according to the sheriff's office. The following events being suspending include, but aren't limited to:

• 2020 Spring Citizens Police Academy
• Sheriff’s Senior Advocacy Meetings
• Countywide Senior Events
• Youth Mentoring Programs
• Character Education Programs
• Community Coalition Meetings
• Career Fairs
• Drug Takeback Events
• Special Olympic Fundraising Events
• Programming within the Lake County Jail

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“The most important thing to do right now is remain calm and follow the advice of the Lake County Health Department and Center for Disease Control," Sheriff John Idleburg said, in the news release. "Panicking will not help anyone in our community, and it will only lead to disruption. I am cancelling these nonessential events, as I want to do our part to reduce the potential spreading of COVID-19 to the community and our internal staff.”

Related:

• Grayslake Fire Talks Reaction To Coronavirus, Ways To Stop Spread
• Coronavirus In Illinois: What You Need To Know For March 13
• Illinois Coronavirus Cancellation, Closure List

The sheriff's office urges residents to continue following preventative measures and if you feel ill, do not go into school, work, or the community, but please contact your doctor. All official information regarding COVID-19 will come from trusted sources such as the CDC, Illinois Governor’s Office, or Lake County Government.