COVID-19: We need your help

What are the most important steps you can take to protect yourself and others from the Coronavirus
(COVID-19)?
1)    Abide by the statewide stay-at-home order as much as possible
2)    Commit to good personal hygiene: Practice diligent handwashing skills, don’t touch your face, cover coughs and sneezes with the inside of your elbow or upper arm and stay home if you are feeling sick
3)    Maintain a social distance from others—a minimum of six feet

A stay-at-home order is in effect for Illinois through April 7
On March 20, Governor J.B. Pritzker issued an executive order for all Illinoisans to stay at home or place of residence, effective March 21 at 5 p.m. through April 7. It states:

With exceptions, all individuals currently living within the state of Illinois are ordered to stay at home or at their place of residence except as allowed in this Executive Order.

We need the entire community to help
We are a community-based healthcare system. We have fought to maintain independence for each of our patients and surrounding municipalities. As an early provider during the COVID-19 pandemic, we are confident we have the supplies and the staff prepared to support our community. However, with the predicted surge of patient cases ahead of us, we implore you to help limit the spread.

Individuals concerned about potential COVID-19 exposure
Patients should call their healthcare provider and request a telehealth appointment to start the screening process. Not all positive cases will require hospitalization. Medical staff will be able to instruct patients whether they need hospital care or should be quarantined. Please don’t come to the Emergency Department or an immediate care center with COVID-19 symptoms unless directed by a medical provider.

Stay informed
NCH is committed to providing accurate, science-based communication and will continue to update our website and social media channels as quickly as possible in this time of uncertainty. If you encounter someone who seems to be spreading misinformation, direct them to our information or government-sanctioned channels like cdc.org or locally at cookcountypublichealth.org.

View the full Executive Order Number 10 – EXECUTIVE ORDER IN RESPONSE TO COVID-19 (COVID-19 EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 8), Executive Order Number 20-10.

Continue to visit nch.org for the latest information in our community.