COVID-19 Updates

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a respiratory illness caused by a virus called SARS-CoV-2. Symptoms often include a fever, cough, or shortness of breath. The virus is thought to spread mainly from person to person between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet), through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks. Some recent studies have suggested that COVID-19 may be spread by people who are not showing symptoms. It may
be possible that people can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or eyes. However, this is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads.

There are ongoing investigations to learn more. This is a rapidly evolving situation and information will be updated as it becomes available.

Learn more about the symptoms associated with COVID-19.

City of Chicago COVID-19 Response Center

NEW Healthcare Workers Support Group – Offered by NAMI

Chicago Health Care Worker Resources

Region 11 COVID-19 Memos/Guidelines

Region 11 EMS Guidelines for Bypass Requests During the COVID-19 Pandemic (6/5/20)

Region 11 EMS Guidelines For Out of Hospital Cardiac Arrest and Termination of Resuscitation During the COVID-19 Pandemic (4/9/20)

Region 11 EMS Patient Triage and Transport Policy (4/3/20)

UPDATED Region 11 EMS Suspected COVID-19 Protocol (ALS/BLS) (4/3/20)

Region 11 EMS Guidelines for Suspected COVID-19 Patients (3/19/20)

Recent Updates

For the most current information, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website – COVID-19.

August 28, 2020 – EMS Provider Notification of Exposure to an Infectious Disease

July 21, 2020 – UPDATED Recommendations for EMS Systems and 911 Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) during the COVID-19 Pandemic

July 21, 2020 – What EMS Needs to Know About Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS‐C)

July 15, 2020 – Initial EMS Education Approaches Following the COVID-19 Pandemic: Recommendations from NAEMSE

April 27, 2020 – NEW Considerations for Healthcare Providers in ANY Healthcare Setting

April 8, 2020 – American Heart Association Compendium of Resources to Ensure Optimal Care for COVID-19 Patients with Cardiovascular Disease

April 3, 2020 – Governor Pritzker Signs Executive Order Giving Immunity to Care Providers

Governor Pritzker has issued an Executive Order directing certain healthcare facilities (including hospitals), healthcare workers (including those licensed or certified), and volunteers (including unlicensed medical and nursing students) to “render assistance” in support of the State’s response to the COVID-19 outbreak and granting immunity from civil liability to those who do. The broad immunity covers any injury or death alleged to have been caused by any act or omission that occurs in the course of “rendering assistance” to the State unless the injury or death is caused by willful misconduct.

In order for these protections to apply to a covered healthcare facility, “rendering assistance” must include cancelling or postponing elective surgeries and procedures, increasing the number of beds, preserving personal protective equipment, or taking necessary steps to prepare to treat patients with COVID-19. For covered healthcare workers and volunteers, each must be working at a covered healthcare facility or under the direction of the Illinois Emergency Management Agency or Illinois Department of Public Health providing healthcare services or other services, assistance, or support, as applicable.

The Executive Order does not preempt or limit any other statute that provides immunity from civil liability that may be available to an otherwise covered health care facility, healthcare worker, or volunteer. IHA has been advocating for these protections with the Governor’s Office in conjunction with the Illinois State Medical Society. These protections will provide coverage as hospitals continue to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic and adds to the liability protections extended to volunteer health care professionals under Section 3215 of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) (H.R. 748).

March 27, 2020 – Memo from IDPH: Bypass Status

March 20, 2020 – IDPH/CDC N95 Respirator Reuse Recommendations

March 19, 2020 – CDC Sequence for Putting on PPE

March 10, 2020 – UPDATED Guidance for EMS Systems and 911 Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) for COVID-19.

March 9, 2020 – Gov. Pritzker Issues Disaster Proclamation to Build on State’s COVID-19 Response, Unlock Additional Federal Resources