This is the COVID-19 update for Friday, February 4. You still have a chance to register for today’s vaccine clinic. Details are below, as well as some other important reminders. As always, you can visit our COVID-19 Update Center at any time for the latest.
This week’s updates:
- This is your last opportunity to sign up for today’s vaccine clinic at River Trails Middle School (1000 N. Wolf Road). It is from 3:30 to 6:30 and open to everyone in the district, including those eligible for the booster shot. You can make an appointment (no walk-ins) by visiting https://kordinator.mhealthcoach.net/vcl/1642008919914. The second dose clinic will be on Friday, February 25 at River Trails Middle School.
- SHIELD testing at Prairie Trails will be conducted on Wednesdays, instead of Fridays, beginning next week. Testing days will remain the same at all other schools, though this week’s testing schedule was affected by the weather. Remember you will only be notified if your child tests positive, but can also see the results yourself by signing up for the SHIELD portal.
- Free N95 masks are available, or soon will be, at several pharmacies and grocery stores in the area. This is part of a federal program and participants in Illinois include Costco, CVS, Jewel-Osco, Mariano’s, Meijer, Walgreens and Walmart. Once available, each person can pick up a maximum of three masks.
- You can order free at-home COVID tests by visiting covidtests.gov. Every household is eligible to receive four free tests.
- Cook County has opened a vaccination site in Des Plaines at 1155 E. Oakton Street. It is open Tuesdays through Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Walk-ins are welcome, but they are encouraging people to make an appointment at vaccine.cookcountyil.gov. Pfizer and Moderna are being offered, and you can receive primary vaccinations or booster shots.
- Cook County has also expanded its in-home vaccination program. To be eligible a person must live in suburban Cook County and “attest that it is difficult for you to leave your home to receive a vaccination.” If you or someone you know fits these criteria, please visit vaccine.cookcountyil.gov and select “In-Home Vaccination.”
- Once your child is fully vaccinated (two weeks after second dose), they can be exempted from weekly saliva testing and will not have to quarantine if they are exposed to COVID (as long as they are not experiencing any symptoms). To get these benefits, you will need to inform the district that your child has been vaccinated and can do so by filling out this form. If you do not have a Google account, please submit your child’s vaccination information directly to your school’s office.
- It is expected that at some point in the near future, eligible children (age 12 and older) will need to have a booster in order to be considered “fully vaccinated.” If you have already submitted vaccine verification for your child, you can now submit their booster information by filling out this form.
- Our COVID-19 dashboard is updated daily with the number of students and staff who test positive or are in quarantine due to exposure. This dashboard is updated as results are provided and may be adjusted retroactively.
- A reminder that meals can be provided for any student who is quarantining due to a positive COVID case or exposure. If interested, call 224-612-7675. Families will be able to pick up meals at River Trails Middle School, or have them delivered.
- Please continue to be diligent about keeping your child home from school if they are not feeling well. Even if symptoms are mild, or possibly unrelated to COVID, err on the side of caution.
We will continue sending updates throughout the week when it is necessary. Do not hesitate to call either the district office or your school if you have any questions.