For the past several weeks, the news has included extensive information about the spread of COVID-19, a novel Coronavirus that originated in China. As confirmed cases of the Coronavirus have spread, the Village has worked closely with local, state and federal agencies to ensure a high level of preparedness. The Village has reviewed preparedness plans with the Kane County Emergency Management Agency, engaged in outreach with the Illinois Department of Public Health, and has used its membership in the Metro West Council of Government to engage with key personnel from the City of Chicago and state and federal offices regarding the Coronavirus. The state and federal government have placed additional staffing at key transportation facilities to monitor for the potential spread of the illness, and Illinois was among the first states to widely distribute accurate testing for the Coronavirus. There are no reported cases in our region; to date, all three confirmed cases in Illinois have been in Cook County.
We want our residents to know that the Village is committed to your safety, and is actively engaged with every available resource to monitor this illness and help prevent its spread to the community. Again, there are no reported cases in our region.
The Illinois Department of Public Health has set up a website to provide accurate, current information on the Coronavirus. It is available at this link. In addition, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have set up a very detailed website on Coronavirus, which is available at this link. For people who are contemplating travel, the CDC has a travel advisory page addressing this specific illness, available here.
In terms of the actions that you can take to help prevent the spread of this illness, along with colds, flu and other communicable illnesses, the recommendations are very simple:
- Wash your hands thoroughly, with soap and water, for at least 30 seconds...regularly!
- Stay home when you are sick, to avoid spreading germs.
- Cover your mouth when you sneeze (it is recommended to sneeze into the crook of your elbow, rather than your hand).
- Regularly clean and disinfect household and workplace surfaces, especially including door handles, bathrooms, and areas where food is prepared.
These tips are not specific to the Coronavirus; they are effective in preventing the spread of many illnesses. As the Village becomes aware of more information, we will be certain to share it with you, and to keep our residents informed!
