The Village of Oak Park | 123 Madison St.  Oak Park, IL 60302 | village@oak-park.us

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Health Department offers tips to reduce spread of common illnesses

Nov. 15, 2022 – As colder weather sets in, the Oak Park Health Department is reminding residents of ways everyone can help reduce the impact and spread of common fall and winter illnesses.

Health officials say there has been an increase in respiratory illnesses both nationally and locally, and children have been particularly affected.

Cases of RSV among children have increased, and epidemiologists are predicting a significant flu season and the possibility of increased COVID cases this winter.

There are simple and effective practices that can help reduce the spread of illness throughout the community:

  • Stay home from work or school if you are sick.
  • Wash hands with regularity, including before and after preparing food, if a household member is ill, and when you come home after a social gathering, shopping or spending time at work or school.
  • Cover coughs and sneezes with your elbow, and consider wearing a mask if you have a runny nose, cough or fever. 
  • Maximize indoor ventilation and air circulation whenever possible, .
  • Consider wearing a mask when gathering indoors for events and other gatherings.
  • Stay up to date on your vaccines, including flu, COVID vaccines and COVID boosters.

Click the links below for more information from the Illinois Department of Public Health about limiting the spread of these illnesses:

The flu vaccine is offered at numerous medical providers, commercial pharmacies, grocery stores and other retail sites in the Oak Park area. Visit www.vaccines.gov/find-vaccines to search for a flu vaccine.

Information about Oak Park’s COVID-19 response, including details about upcoming COVID-19 vaccine clinics, is available at www.oak-park.us/covid19.

For more information, contact the Health Depatment at 708.358.5480 or health@oak-park.us.