Five additional residents, including a child less than one year old, have tested positive for the COVID-19 coronavirus, bringing the village’s total number of confirmed cases to nine, officials announced Thursday evening.
According to public health director Mike Charley, the new batch of positive cases includes residents who range in age from their 20s to 60s, and includes the child. Because of privacy laws, no additional information can be provided about the residents, Charley said.
More Top Picks Best Humidifiers For Bedrooms
The village’s first positive COVID-19 case involved a man in his 30s, which was announced March 18. Between March 18 and 25, three other cases were confirmed; a woman in her 40s, a woman in her 30s and a woman in her 20s.
On March 19, two emergency room physicians at Rush Oak Park were revealed to have tested positive for the virus, with hospital officials saying the two doctors likely acquired the virus through the “community” and not the hospital.
“One physician had not been seeing patients for several days prior, when he would have been contagious,” the hospital said in a statement. “The other may have had patient and peer contact and we are assessing the overall risk of exposure, working with the Illinois Department of Public Health and advising patients and peers as appropriate. It is likely these cases were community acquired.”
Following the report of its first confirmed case of COVID-19, the village of Oak Park issued a shelter-in-place order, which was made to “ensure that the maximum number of people self-isolate” in their homes.
Days later, the village announced it would defer to the state’s order following Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s stay-at-home order, which is set to remain in effect through at least April 7.
Local public health officials, hospitals and first responders are following protocols consistent with the latest guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Officials are encouraging residents to protect themselves from the virus by practicing a variety of guidelines, including:
Staying home if you are sick
Avoiding close contact with people who are sick
Practicing social distancing – stay away from gatherings of more than 10 people
Washing your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol
Covering your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash
Avoiding touching your eyes, nose and mouth
Cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe
Anyone with questions or concerns about COVID-19 can contact the Illinois Department of Public Health hotline at 1-800-889-3931.
The village of Oak Park will be posting updates on the COVID-19 situation online at www.oak-park.us/covid19.
Twitter: @steveschering