COVID-19

The virus is thought to spread primarily from person-to-person

• Between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet)
• Via respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes
• These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs

It may be possible that a person can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes, but this is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads.

At this time there is no specific vaccine to prevent COVID-19 or antiviral treatment for COVID-19, however, the CDC recommends these preventive actions to take to help prevent the spread of respiratory diseases:

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick
• Wear cloth face coverings in public settings when around people outside of their household, especially when other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain.  
• Put distance between yourself and other people (social distancing)
  • The importance of social distancing – quote from Dr. Robert Redfield, Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: “First, I’d like to thank all the Americans and all the people in our nation that have taken this to heart and really practice aggressive social distancing. Secondly, for those that are still on the sidelines, I’d like to tell them now’s the time to really embrace this. This is not just a little recommendation on a piece of paper. This is a very powerful weapon.”
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth
• Stay home when you are sick
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using regular household cleaning spray or wipe
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing
  • If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty

If you have a fever or cough, you might have COVID-19. If you are over age 60 or have underlying health conditions, you are at higher risk for serious complications from the disease. If you are at high risk and have any COVID-19 symptoms, please call the NorthShore University HealthSystem community health hotline at 847-432-5849 to be screened for a COVID-19 test. 

Most people have mild illness and are able to recover at home. Keep track of your symptoms. If you have an emergency warning sign (including trouble breathing), please call your physician or contact the NorthShore University HealthSystem community health hotline at 847-432-5849.

If you do not have a physician, please contact one of Skokie’s partner healthcare agencies serving uninsured and underinsured Skokie residents. See the list of providers here.

From the CDC:
If you are sick with COVID-19 or think you might have COVID-19, follow the steps below to care for yourself and to help protect other people in your home and community.

Stay home except to get medical care

• Stay home: Most people with COVID-19 have mild illness and are able to recover at home without medical care. Do not leave your home, except to get medical care. Do not visit public areas.
• Stay in touch with your doctor. Call before you get medical care. Be sure to get care if you have trouble breathing, or have any other emergency warning signs, or if you think it is an emergency.
• Avoid public transportation: Avoid using public transportation, ride-sharing, or taxis.

Separate yourself from other people in your home, this is known as home isolation

• Stay away from others: As much as possible, you stay away from others. You should stay in a specific “sick room” if possible, and away from other people in your home. Use a separate bathroom, if available.
• See COVID-19 and Animals is you have questions about pets.

See NorthShore University Health System COVID-19 information.

Heartland Health Centers Skokie COVID-19 Testing Information - English version and Spanish version.

Questions regarding COVID-19 also may be directed to the Illinois Department of Public Health by calling 1-800-889-3931 or emailing.

From the Skokie Fire Department:

“Tips for calling 9-1-1 to protect the community and first responders”
Protecting the community and our first responders is paramount during the COVID-19 outbreak. Our 9-1-1 dispatchers will be asking the following questions of any caller requesting a service that requires face-to-face contact.

• Does the patient or anyone on the scene have a fever, cough, or trouble breathing?

• Has the patient traveled outside the United States or had close contact with someone who recently traveled outside the United States and was sick?

• Has anyone been exposed to an individual known to have or suspected of having COVID-19?

• Has anyone on-scene tested positive for COVID-19?

• Do you have a surgical mask available? - If someone is coughing, you may be asked to put a surgical mask on that person if they can tolerate it.

We are asking our residents to review these questions with everyone in their household now. Knowing the answers ahead of an emergency will make it easier to recall should the need arise. Please respond honestly to the questions, as they help our first responders take appropriate actions and wear proper personal protective equipment to avoid exposure when they respond. Keeping our EMS/Fire/Police personnel healthy will help us keep the Village of Skokie safe!

Village refuse collection crews continue to provide service to the community during the COVID-19 crisis, and Lakeshore Recycling Systems services recycling routes in the community as usual. Residents are asked to please be mindful of these new guidelines issued by the Solid Waste Agency of Northern Cook County (SWANCC) to protect collection crews and processors who remain hard at work during this crisis: 

The CDC provides recommendations when deciding to postpone or cancel travel. These are called travel notices and are based on an assessment of the potential health risks involved with traveling to a certain area. A list of travel notices is available on the CDC website.