Friday, May 1, 2020 Volume 1, Issue 9
(630) 682-7400 www.dupagehealth.org
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The COVID-19 Weekly Update will provide current information and resources for DuPage County. We encourage you to share this widely through our community. To subscribe and receive weekly local updates on COVID-19, please fill out  this form
What you need to know about the modified stay at home order effective Friday, May 1, 2020
  FACE COVERINGS:  
  • Individuals will be required to wear a face-covering or a mask when in a public place where they can't maintain a six-foot social distance.
  • Face-coverings will be required in public indoor spaces, such as stores.
  • This new requirement applies to all individuals over the age of two who are able to medically tolerate a face-covering or a mask.
  • See below for detailed instructions regarding usage of reusable masks
 
OUTDOOR RECREATION:  

NEW ESSENTIAL BUSINESSES: 
  • Greenhouses, garden centers and nurseries may re-open as essential businesses.
  • Animal grooming services may also re-open.
 
NON-ESSENTIAL RETAIL: 
  • Retail stores not designated as non-essential businesses and operations may re-open to fulfill telephone and online orders through pick-up outside the store and delivery.
ESSENTIAL BUSINESSES AND MANUFACTURING: 
  • Required to provide face-coverings to all employees who are not able to maintain six-feet of social distancing, as well as follow new requirements that maximize social distancing and prioritize the well-being of employees and customers.
  • Occupancy limits for essential businesses and precautions such as staggering shifts and operating only essential lines for manufacturers will also be required.
SCHOOLS:  
  • Educational institutions may allow and establish procedures for pick-up of necessary supplies or student belongings.
  • Dormitory move-outs must follow public health guidelines, including social distancing.

HEALTH CARE CENTERS:
  • Health Care Centers can conduct certain elective surgeries and procedures in compliance with the guidance provided by the Illinois Department of Public Health.
  • Facilities will need to meet specific criteria, including proper PPE, ensuring enough overall space for COVID-19 patients remains available, and testing of elective surgery patients to ensure COVID-19 negative status.
The COVID-19 pandemic underscores the importance of responding to the 2020 Census and the importance of census data. That’s because your response helps shape decisions about how billions of dollars in federal funds flow into communities each year for the next 10 years for critical services. Like health care clinics. And hospitals. And emergency services like EMTs and fire departments. Emergency situations like COVID-19 illustrate just how important it is to respond to the census.

Please encourage your friends and family to take the census today at 2020Census.gov .
Help slow the spread of COVID-19, share the Health Department’s video
“Do Your Part DuPage”
During COVID-19, DuPage County Health Department continues to provide essential messaging designed to inform, educate, and empower our community members to help stop the spread. We have created an awareness campaign for DuPage County residents branded as ' Do Your Part DuPage’ .

The Health Department encourages community partners to share this video in newsletters, on social media platforms and their websites. #doyourpartdupage
Please help our first responders help you. Sign up for SMART 9-1-1 so you can share critical medical information for loved ones at risk of coronavirus. Your profile will show in any dispatch center that has Smart 9-1-1 throughout the United States, including the City of Chicago and Cook County Sheriff’s office 9-1-1 centers. Your profile is only visible when you dial 9-1-1.

Please share with your friends and family. If you haven’t signed up, click here to join.
Resources for Those in Need
Call4Calm
The Illinois Department of Human Services’ Mental Health Division has launched Call4Calm, a free emotional support text line for Illinois residents experiencing stress and mental health issues related to COVID-19.

Individuals who would like to speak with a mental health professional can text “TALK” to 5-5-2-0-2-0, or for Spanish, “HABLAR” to the same number: 5-5-2-0-2-0. Individuals can also text with key words such as “unemployment” or “food” or “shelter” and will receive information on how navigate and access supports and services.
Did you lose your health insurance coverage through your job and need to enroll in a health plan?

  • You have up to 60 days to enroll in a health plan after your job loss.
  • You can enroll before your current coverage ends to avoid a gap in coverage.
  • Coverage can begin as soon as the 1st of the month, after your previous coverage ends.
  • If you had a change in income, you may qualify for plans through the ACA Health Insurance Marketplace that may be more affordable than other options.

Struggling to provide healthy food for your young children during the COVID-19 crisis?

Women, Infant, Children (WIC) is here to help. The WIC Program provides nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and community referrals and vouchers for nutritious supplemental foods at no-cost to eligible pregnant, postpartum, or breastfeeding women, infants and children living in DuPage County.

Currently, you can enroll in WIC without going to a clinic. WIC families have an option to do phone-based WIC appointments, and complete online nutrition education.

Call DuPage County Health Department for enrollment information at (630) 682-7400.
Food Resources

Northern Illinois Food Bank partners with 900 feeding programs across 13 counties to serve our neighbors needing food. If you or someone you know is in need of food please use the locator map to find a food pantry or soup kitchen near you. Use the contact information provided to confirm hours of distribution and residency requirements.

The Food Bank’s SNAP Outreach Team is also fielding calls and online requests 7 days per week related to SNAP (food stamps) applications and locating a pantry. Some of the SNAP eligibility requirements have been temporarily lifted due to COVID-19. For assistance call 844-600-7627 or use the online contact form.

Visit the Food Bank website to learn more about how to give help and get help ( https://solvehungertoday.org/coronavirus/
How You Can Help
DuPage County Health Department is now accepting cloth face covering/mask donations.

To donate cloth face coverings, please complete the  Donation Offer Form

There is no universal direction on how to make cloth face masks. However, you can find instructions on the resources below:


For the safety of all: 
  • Please do not make masks if you are sick or think you might be getting sick.
  • Please keep all face mask materials away from household pets.
  • Be sure the area in which you are working is clean. Sanitize all surfaces with a disinfectant before making masks.
  • Perform hand hygiene before touching mask materials.
  • Donated masks are thoroughly laundered and sanitized before being distributed.
Giving DuPage Days is a 30-day online fundraiser event to support local nonprofit organizations serving DuPage County. Now, more than ever, we want to help these local charities who provide critical services to those in need, improve lives and make our community stronger.
Did you receive a COVID-19 Federal Stimulus check in the last few days even though you're working. Perhaps, you want to help those that are suffering during this pandemic. DuPage Health Matters , a 501(C)(3) organization developed by the DuPage County Health Department, is one of the not for profit organizations that benefits DuPage residents.

Click Here to visit the DuPage Health Matters page. As we celebrate our 75th anniversary, a $75 donation celebrates every year of our Department's existence.

Take the $75 challenge today and support the foundation of public health in DuPage.
What's New
DuPage County Health Department has recently added new information to their website:



Guidance is changing rapidly, please check the dupagehealth.org/COVID19 website frequently. 
Illinois COVID-19 Hotline and Email Address

If you have questions about Coronavirus - Call the Illinois Coronavirus Disease
(COVID-19) Hotline:

1(800) 889-3931 or, send an email to: DPH.SICK@ILLINOIS.GOV  

Both are available anytime, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Friday, May 1, 2020
(630) 682-7400 www.dupagehealth.org