Kane Health Dept. urges residents to support restaurants, bars with carryout and outdoor dining

KANE COUNTY – The Kane County Health Department is urging residents to support local restaurants and bars by ordering take-out, drive-thru, delivery and outdoor dining, after Tier 1 resurgence mitigations went into effect in Region 8, which includes Kane and DuPage counties, on Friday. The new order, put into place by Gov. JB Pritzker earlier this week, prohibit indoor dining and bar service.

“We understand the challenges the mitigation rules are putting on our food and beverage sector,” stated KCHD Executive Director Barbara Jeffers in a news release.

The Illinois Department of Public Health added Kane County to its COVID-19 county watch list on Oct. 16, and it remained on the list this Friday.

Two of the metrics which triggered the warning level for Kane County include increases in the new case rate and number of deaths. Subsequently, entered the resurgence mitigation restrictions due to the positivity rate exceeding 8% for three consecutive days.

Region 8 will remain in the resurgence mitigation phase for 14 days, and if the positivity rate averages less than or equal to 6.5% over a 3-day period, the region will return to Phase 4 mitigation under the Restore Illinois Plan. If the positivity rate continues to increase beyond the 14 day period, there could be additional mitigation measures for Region 8, the release stated.

“For the majority of our population, their risk increases based on the number of different people that they come in contact with,” Jeffers stated. “These restrictions are in place to help reduce the spread of the virus. Social gatherings, including weddings, funerals, potlucks and even birthday parties, are limited to no more than 25 guests.”

Jeffers cautions that the department is seeing the spread of the virus among friends and family at personal gatherings, large and small. The upcoming holiday season will be especially problematic if the COVID-19 rates do not decrease, the release stated.

However, Jeffers stated in the release that she is confident that the residents of Kane County have what it takes to get through this. She urged all residents to do their part in keeping our positivity rates low.

“There is nothing easy or fair about any of this, but we must use the tools we have, and know that work, to reduce the spread of the virus,” Jeffers stated. “Wear a mask, wash your hands, practice socially responsible distancing and keep your social circle small. Larger gatherings increase the risk of virus transmission.”

The department continues to encourage residents to contact them with concerns about businesses not following the guidelines by calling 630-208-3801 or CovidConcerns@co.kane.il.us. The Kane County Sheriff’s Office continues to work closely with the health department to investigate and follow up with complaints for COVID-19.

For more information about COVID-19, visit the KCHD website at KaneHealth.com.