While the state tries to balance reopening with steadying the number of coronavirus cases, the Lake County Health Department is seeing an uptick of cases among its younger residents.
“Time is of the essence. We are recommending that any Lake Zurich community members who may have been exposed, regardless of age, get tested,” Dr. Sana Ahmed, medical epidemiologist at the Lake County Health Department, said in a statement.
The Lake County Health Department reported a rise in new COVID-19 cases since June 25 among Lake County residents under age 30, while cases in the general population have remained steady. Citing multiple cases of COVID-19 identified among participants attending the first day of sports camp at Lake Zurich High School and other recent social gatherings, public health officials recommended camp participants self-quarantine for 14 days and the school suspend athletic camps until further notice.
The testing site will be run and managed by the Illinois Department of Public Health, and results are provided by phone in four to seven days. The county Health Department also is working with Vernon Hills High School after an individual participating in athletic activities tested positive for COVID-19.
Testing is free and open to all, regardless of symptoms. You do not need to be a student, faculty, staff or family member of anyone associated with the school to be tested. A phone number and name are required in order to receive testing results. The site accommodates walk-up individuals and those doing drive-thru.
“Youth are just as likely as adults to get and spread this virus,” Ahmed said. “We ask that everyone continue to take these risks seriously and contact the Health Department if you think you have been exposed.”
The Lake County Health Department reported Lake County’s first COVID-19 case on March 11. As of July 9, 10,185 Lake County residents have tested positive for the disease, including 408 deaths.
