State officials have announced six new cases of coronavirus in Illinois, including Lake County’s first case, who is a man in his 50s.
Governor J.B. Pritzker said at a press conference Wednesday that the total number of COVID-19 cases is now at 25. Officials said at the press conference that 22 of the 25 cases are residents of Cook County.
The cases outside of Cook County include a Lake County man in his 50s, a 19-year-old McHenry County man and a Kane County woman in her 60s.
Several people among the 25 cases in Illinois have already made a full recovery, Pritzker said.
The Lake County Health Department said that the Lake County resident in his 50s is in stable condition and officials are still investigating the man’s travel history and how he could have contracted the virus.
“Our staff is working to rapidly identify, interview and assess the risk for close contacts of the first COVID-19 case in Lake County,” said Lisa Kritz, Director of Prevention for the Lake County Health Department and Community Health Center.
“Our priority is the health and safety of all who live, work, and play in Lake County, and we continue to use every available resource to prepare our communities for additional cases of COVID-19,” Kritz added.
Pritzker reminded the public that people older than 60 and those with pre-existing conditions need to be extra vigilant in staying away from large gatherings.
The World Health Organization (WHO) characterized COVID-19 as a pandemic on Wednesday. More cases of COVID-19 are expected in the United States and in Lake County, health officials said.
A statewide disaster proclamation was issued Monday in order to obtain additional state and federal resources relating to the outbreak.
Health officials also want to remind the public to wash their hands, avoid touching their face and stay home when sick.