The Coronavirus, the Cook County Sheriff’s Office and You

Because the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) numbers have surged so tremendously and for so long, this historic public health crisis is at levels never before seen in our country and region.

As officials and healthcare professionals at the national level, in the State of Illinois and Cook County address the virus and issue daily updates, the Cook County Sheriff’s Office continues to work with those stakeholders. We also remain committed to regularly updating you with key information.

We are taking the best approach to the safety and security of Cook County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) staff and everyone with whom we interact in the Cook County Department of Corrections (CCDOC), at Cook County Courthouses and other public facilities and in our communities.

It has been proven that face masks, social distancing, hygienic care and other measures listed below help the battle against COVID-19. That’s why such careful behavior remains critical in effectively fighting the coronavirus. Meanwhile the rate of positive tests and the number of those diagnosed with this virus grow, as shown in extensive testing (now more than 9.35 million tests in Illinois). The major cause of increases is, simply, the failure of people to follow basic precautions.

Illinois, with a population of nearly 13 million, has 600,771 people who now have or previously had the virus which, sadly, has taken 11,014 lives in our state. The number of new deaths reported in November is 260% higher than those in October; the 237 new deaths reported Tuesday/Wednesday (Nov. 17/18) were the most over two days since early June. For most of November, Illinois has totaled more new cases than any other state.

A long-running and disturbing pattern is in the daily totals of new COVID-19 cases. For June and part of July, there were fewer than 1,000 new cases per day. But these figures rose steadily ever since and shot up through October, rapidly leading to the current average of 7,711 per day, for over a month. During that time, we have seen new records for highest individual daily totals; they have more than quadrupled since October 1st. Record totals in November already include one day with 15,400 new cases, five days of greater than 12,000 new cases and an additional seven days of 10,000 or more. Those followed previous then-record totals between 7,000 and 10,000 – with many other days well over 6,000. The Wednesday (Nov. 18th) reported new case total of 8,922 was the first under 9,000 in two weeks.

Importantly, rates of positive coronavirus test results [measured in seven-day periods] steadily dropped in May, June and most of July but has relentlessly gone up since then. Recent numbers are very aggressive, as rates have nearly quadrupled since October 1st. The record:

Much of June/July: 2.0% to 2.9%, August: 4.0% to 4.4%, most of September: 3.5% to 3.9%, October (first two weeks): 3.5% to 4.9%, October (final two weeks): 5.1% to 7.5% and November: 8.0% to 13.2%, though it has gone down measurably over the past five days. Chicago rates are 6.8% to [new method] 16% for the past three weeks and Cook County overall has been at 7.8% to [new method] 15.2% in that time. [NOTE: Illinois rates are by the standard method used since March; Chicago and Cook County rates include new-method.]

Throughout September, public officials continually warned that the increase in positivity rates put Cook County and the state at a crossroads. Now, we have for too long been on the wrong side of that critical point – and the numbers have relentlessly grown worse. Weekly totals of new cases in Illinois are the highest ever here and routinely see huge increases: 85,629 this week and 63,034 last week, up from 43,024 the week before. Previous weeks increased from 17,609 to 24,898 to 30,208. These huge increases must be beaten back; every effort is needed from the public for our county and state to return to slowing the spread of coronavirus.

For more perspective on the pattern of increases in Illinois’ weekly totals of new cases, please consider this: They had dropped for six straight weeks in May and June, a record better than any other highly-populated state. However, amid record testing, a more open society and inadequate precautions by the public, these weekly totals have exceeded the previous week’s total in 17 of the past 21 weeks.

The daily number of COVID-19 hospital patients went down by more than half after May; total patients in ICU and on ventilators also dropped substantially. But all these numbers are now much greater than at any time in four-plus months, as hospitalizations have tripled in Chicago and more than quadrupled statewide to an all-time Illinois high. ICU and ventilator use have also more than tripled. To again reverse this public health crisis and return to solid overall progress, we must be a lot more vigilant and follow the simple steps outlined below to greatly reduce the spread of the coronavirus. The “opening” of various aspects of society did NOT mean people were less capable of spreading COVID-19. Now, even more closures similar to the early days of the virus have again been ordered.

It is imperative that all citizens follow current policies and recommendations of the State of Illinois and all local requirements to help citizens stay safe. The continuing surge in new coronavirus cases led to the return of many more preventive measures announced by Governor Pritzker and officials of Chicago and other municipalities in Cook County. Please be sure you know the policies. It is also key to be aware of recommendations of the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The announcements this week by two pharmaceutical companies about major progress in vaccines to prevent COVID-19 are very welcome. However, any vaccine will require months to reach mass distribution to the general public. Simply put, there is still a long way to go. So, the best approach is to avoid being exposed to this virus. As common-sense reminder, CDC always recommends everyday actions to help prevent the spread of any respiratory disease such as COVID-19. Those actions include:

• Wear a face mask (more on face masks below in this list)
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth
• Stay home when you are sick
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe
• Face masks should be worn by everyone indoors at all times when others are present and by everyone outside at all times when social distancing is not possible. Simply put, this helps prevent the spread of COVID-19; masks protect yourself and others from this virus. The use of face masks has long been crucial for health workers and people who are taking care of someone in close settings (at home or in a health care facility). Masks are now crucial for everyone.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds – especially after using a bathroom, before eating and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing
• If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol
• Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty

For information about handwashing, see CDC’s Handwashing website. If you have questions or concerns, as always, ask a doctor or health professional.

We also want to provide guidance to volunteers, vendors, visitors, and people who frequent the Sheriff’s Office. Our goal is to ensure the safety of our employees, the public, and detainees. Please read the following very carefully and follow the directions below as indicated.

Volunteers, vendors, visitors, and the public should contact their healthcare provider if they have:

1. Returned from China, Iran, Italy, Japan, South Korea, or any country with a CDC Travel Alert Level 3 in the last 14 days or
2. Live with someone or have had close contact with a person under investigation (PUI) or
3. Had close contact with a person known to have COVID-19 illness and
4. Refrain from visiting the Sheriff’s Office if they are determined to be at risk of exposure to the Coronavirus (COVID-19).

As more information has become available about COVID-19, the CDC, Chicago, Cook County and Illinois have updated guidance for all travelers to self-isolate and limit activities after returning. Remember, this applies even if you show no symptoms of illness. For additional up-to-date information, please visit:

CDC Novel Coronavirus: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html

CDC Travel Guidance: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/index.html

Illinois Department of Public Health: http://www.dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/diseases-and-conditions/diseases-a-z-list/coronavirus

Cook County Department of Public Health: https://www.cookcountypublichealth.org/communicable-diseases/novel-coronavirus/