Health officials announced that a person who attended a Black Lives Matter protest in McHenry on Saturday has tested positive for coronavirus.
The McHenry County Department of Health said that the person was asymptomatic while in attendance at the protest which occurred on June 27 from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
It began at Knox Park in McHenry and ended at the McHenry Police Department. Anyone who attended the event is encouraged to get tested.
The nearest community-based testing sites, which offer free testing and are open to all, are located in Rockford, Rolling Meadows and Waukegan. Anyone can get tested regardless of whether they have symptoms or not.
Private testing locations in McHenry County have requirements that an individual must meet to receive testing, the health department said. A map of all testing locations can be found here.
McHenry County’s confirmed COVID-19 cases have declined since April after social distancing and face covering requirements were put into place.
“MCDH would like to remind everyone that the virus continues to circulate. The more people an individual interacts with and the longer an interaction lasts, the potential risk of becoming infected with COVID-19 and spreading the virus increases,” the McHenry County Department of Health said in a statement.
“We all need to continue to take precautions whenever we attend a gathering or come into contact with anyone who resides in another home,” McHenry Police Chief John Birk said.
“We are just a few days away from Independence Day and we know it is likely for people to gather in celebration,” Birk said.
“However, we know what it’s like to be in the earlier phases of Restore Illinois. We know the best way to slow the spread of COVID, and it’s up to us to prevent ourselves from taking steps backward,” he added.
Those who attend gatherings are encouraged to wear a face covering, keep six-feet distance from others and frequently wash their hands.