A Special E-News Message from the Village President, Catherine M. Adduci

November, 16, 2020

A Special E-News Message from the Village President, Catherine M. Adduci

November 16, 2020

Dear River Forest Residents,

COVID-19 Update

From Sunday, November 8, through Saturday, November 14, 43 new positive cases of COVID-19 were reported in River Forest and 402 tests were completed, resulting in a positivity rate for that timeframe of 10.7%. Conversely, 359 tests completed were not positive. Comparatively, from Sunday November 1, through Saturday, November 7, 25 new positive cases of COVID-19 were reported in River Forest and 361 tests were completed, resulting in a positivity rate for that timeframe of 6.9%.

This data is compiled by Enigma Forensics utilizing data from the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) and tracking it day-by-day. To see the data charts from Enigma Forensics, click here. To see data from the Illinois Department of Public Health, click here. The Village is providing and reporting this data because of the importance of reporting the number of tests completed and calculating the positivity rate. Previously, the Village had shared data from the Cook County Department of Public Health (CCDPH) that can be found by clicking here. The CCDPH data does not include test data by municipality, but rather the percent change in confirmed cases. The IDPH provides test data broken down by zip code.

The Village relies on its public health departments such as CCDPH and IDPH for data. We do not get information such as names or addresses about positive cases; we only receive these publicly available numbers. Further, this information does not identify whether the positive cases are related (such as five cases in one household) or if they are single individuals.

We have recently received the question: Do positive cases at Concordia University Chicago and or Domincian University get included in River Forest data? The answer is that cases are counted to where the individual being tested reports as their home address. Accordingly, if a student at either of these institutions listed a River Forest address as their home address, such as on or off campus housing in River Forest, then they would be counted in River Forest data.

Cook County Issues Stay-At-Home Advisory for Suburban Cook County Residents

Due to increased rates of COVID-19 transmission, and to prevent having to implement more restrictive mitigation measures, Cook County Department of Public Health officials are advising all suburban Cook County residents (including River Forest) and visitors to follow the below guidance to curb the increased spread of COVID-19 in Illinois Region 10 (Suburban Cook County, including River Forest). Over 99,000 people in suburban Cook County have been diagnosed with COVID-19, and positivity rates are over 15%.

This guidance is in alignment with the State of Illinois, and in accordance with public health science. It goes into effect today, Monday, November 16, 2020, and will last at least 30 days.

STAY HOME. As much as possible, please refrain from any non-essential activities and stay home. If you must go out for essential activities, such as work, to attend school, get tested for COVID-19, get a flu shot, or to shop for groceries:
- Wear a mask consistently and correctly over your nose and mouth.
- Avoid close contact with others and maintain a distance of at least 6 feet from others who do not live with you.
- Wash hands often with soap and warm water.
LIMIT GATHERINGS. As much as possible, please refrain from attending or hosting gatherings with people who do not live in your household. This includes recommendations to postpone holiday gatherings or host virtual celebrations to limit the spread of COVID-19.
LIMIT TRAVEL. As much as possible, do not engage in any non-essential travel, including vacations or trips to visit relatives or friends.
WORK FROM HOME. As much as possible, CCDPH is calling on employers in suburban Cook County to re-establish telework protocols for staff who are able to work from home.

“Now more than ever, we must come together to stay apart,” said Dr. Rachel Rubin, CCDPH Senior Medical Officer and Co-Lead. “We know limiting gatherings with friends and family can be hard, but we also know that virtual celebrations will save lives.”

For more information, please visit www.cookcountypublichealth.org, call the CCDPH COVID-19 Hotline at 708-836-4755, Monday thru Friday 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. or email ccdph.covid19@cookcountyhhs.org.

Please remember that our River Forest COVID-19 Senior Response Team is still available! Please call 708-613-1642 for any assistance you need.

Healthy Holidays to You

Governor JB Pritzker launched a new awareness campaign today to encourage residents to take safety precautions throughout the upcoming holiday season to protect themselves and their families — and ultimately save lives. The Illinois Department of Public Health is recommending that residents stay home as much as possible and only leave for essential activities. To provide safer ways to celebrate, ‘Healthy Holidays to You’ highlights what doctors and experts consider top methods to reduce your risk of contracting or spreading the virus: limiting gatherings to your immediate family or keeping them virtual, maintaining 6 feet of distance from others and wearing a mask, whether you’re indoors or out. Click here and read important tips about how to celebrate holidays safely.

Oak Park River Forest High School Meal Distribution

Oak Park River Forest High School is supplying resources through its now expanded meal distribution program. Prior to COVID-19, OPRF offered free lunches to students from low income families. In light of the pandemic, meal distribution is now available to any family that has children under 18 living in their homes. Parents can receive meals for their children from OPRF, no questions asked. These meals are seven complete breakfasts and seven complete lunches containing proteins, whole grains, fruit, vegetables, and milk, which come with instructions for storing and cooking meals. For any family that is being affected by food insecurity, pickup is every Tuesday, from 6:30 a.m. - 8 a.m. at Door 3 (on Scoville Avenue). For more information, please contact Oak Park River Forest High School Food Services.

Rapid COVID-19 Testing to be Offered in River Forest

Rapid testing for COVID-19 will be offered at First Presbyterian Church of River Forest on Wednesday, November 18 and Saturday, November 21. This event is being administered by Covid Concierge, a Division of Event Medical Solutions, the company that provides medical services for events such as Chicago’s Lollapalooza and the Chicago Bears. First Presbyterian Church is providing their parking lot as good will to the community. All tests require pre-registration and cost $175, payable by cash or credit card. A receipt will be provided that you may submit to your insurance company. The rapid test results will be emailed to you in 2-3 hours.

Anybody can register for a test regardless of symptoms. If you are asymptomatic and were in contact with someone who is positive for COVID-19, you may take this test. If you are symptomatic, you may want to contact your primary medical care professional for further testing guidance, but you may also take this test. Others may choose to take this test as a precautionary measure, such as if you choose to participate in a small Thanksgiving gathering with family.

The type of test offered is a rapid antigen test via a nasal swab. To better understand the different types of testing, please download this informational sheet from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

While residents of all ages may register, you are strongly encouraged to contact your primary medical care professional for any additional information, as well as for guidance on testing younger aged children.

Click here to register.

Testing will take place at the First Presbyterian parking lot, located at 7551 Quick Avenue (corner of Quick Avenue and Jackson Avenue). Please enter from Jackson Avenue (opposite of the normal traffic flow off Lathrop Avenue).

While the testing at this event is not free, we are sharing the information as it may be a convenient option for our residents. For information about other testing options, including free tests, click here.

Please be safe and stay healthy.

Sincerely,