A Lake County woman in her 50s is the county’s second confirmed case of coronavirus as the number of cases in Illinois has increased to 46, health officials said.
Governor J.B. Pritzker and IDPH Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike announced 14 new COVID-19 cases at a Friday press conference. Among the new cases, 13 of them are Cook County residents and one is a Lake County resident.
Lake County Health Department Communications Manager Hannah Goering told Lake and McHenry County Scanner that the Lake County case is a female in her 50s.
The woman had a history of international travel prior to becoming ill, Goering said, adding no additional details would be shared in order to protect the woman’s privacy.
This marks the second Lake County resident with the coronavirus. The first case was a Lake County man in his 50s, which was announced Wednesday afternoon.
Several people who tested positive for coronavirus in Illinois have already made a full recovery, Pritzker said.
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.
Lake County Board Chair Sandy Hart signed a disaster proclamation on Friday in order for Lake County to obtain resources and funding amid the outbreak.
President Trump declared a national emergency Friday over the coronavirus outbreak as the number of cases nationwide exceeded 1,600, and 41 people have died.
Health officials want to remind the public to wash their hands, avoid touching their face and stay home when sick.