Cook County reports seventh COVID-19 case, first since mid-August

After more than a month since the last case of COVID-19 was reported in Cook County, a seventh local resident has tested positive for the new coronavirus.

The individual is a male in his 20s. Contact tracing is underway for anyone the person was likely in contact with recently and who may have been exposed to the virus, according to county officials who work in public health.

“Each time we get a new COVID-19 case in the county, we are reminded that we all have an important part to play in keeping one another safe throughout this pandemic,” said Cook County Public Health Supervisor Grace Grinager. “By staying six feet apart from those in other households, washing our hands, wearing a mask correctly and consistently, and staying home when we are ill, we can keep the pace of new cases in our community slow.”

Cook County’s last confirmed case was August 13.

Meanwhile, the case count continues to climb in nearby Lake County (Two Harbors, Finland, Silver Bay, etc.) and St. Louis County (Duluth, Ely, etc.)

In Lake County, the case count was nearing 60 heading into the last weekend in September. In St. Louis County, the case count is over 1,450 at this time, along with 38 total deaths. Five people have died from COVID-19 in St. Louis County in the past week.

Joe Friedrichs September 24, 2020