Long-Term Care Facilities

Long-term care facility residents are at high risk of being affected by COVID-19. Risk factors associated with living in a congregate setting and characteristics of the populations served (often older adults with chronic medical conditions) can result in more severe disease from COVID-19 in these individuals.

Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is responsible for nursing home licensing and infection control guidance . IDPH maintains a list of nursing homes in Cook County with patients or staff who have been confirmed to have COVID-19.

Cook County Department of Public Health is actively investigating outbreaks of nursing homes and assisted living facilities in suburban Cook County to protect the health of residents and staff. This includes: skilled nursing, assisted living, behavioral and developmental disability facilities), each with at least one confirmed COVID-19 case, as well as associated cases (including health care providers and residents).

According to IDPH guidance, long-term care facilities must provide notification to staff, residents, residents’ next of kin and guardians, and the department of public health when persons working or residing in the long-term care facility are diagnosed with COVID-19. Such notification shall identify whether the diagnosed individual was a staff member or resident. The facility shall not, however, reveal personally identifying information about the diagnosed individual, including their name, except as necessary to notify the resident’s next of kin or guardian and to ensure staff take sufficient safety precautions. For more information, please visit the IDPH website .