When a novel virus with pandemic potential emerges, nonpharmaceutical interventions, also called community mitigation strategies, often are the most readily available interventions to help slow transmission of the virus in communities. Community mitigation is a set of actions that persons and communities can take to help slow the spread of respiratory virus infections.
IDPH is committed to protecting the health of the citizens of Illinois. In an effort to implement community mitigation and prevent the spread of COVID-19, IDPH is recommending that all Adult Day Programs take the following steps until further notice:
- Implement social distancing measures:
- Reduce large gatherings (e.g., group social events)
- Alter schedules to reduce mixing (e.g., stagger meal, activity, arrival/departure times)
- Limit programs with external staff
- Consider having residents stay in facility and limit exposure to the general community
- Limit visitors, implement screening
- Implement facility process for temperature and respiratory symptom screening of attendees, staff, and visitors.
- Short-term closures as needed (e.g., if cases in staff, residents or clients who live elsewhere) for cleaning and contact tracing.
- Implement home service delivery when possible.
- Monitor local and state public health sources to understand COVID-19 activity in the community to help inform evaluation of individuals with unknown respiratory illness. If there is transmission of COVID-19 in the community, facilities should also consult with the local health department for additional guidance