By Stacey Sheridan

Staff Reporter

The total confirmed number of COVID-19 cases in Oak Park continues to increase as the village of Oak Park announced March 28 that an additional four residents have tested positively for COVID-19, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in the village to 21.

The newly reported cases have an age range from 30s to 60s. The village cannot release further information regarding the cases due to privacy laws. The announcement noted that privacy precludes the sharing of the location information of those tested to anyone other than public health officials and first responders.

As with the previously reported cases, the village announcement stated "The Oak Park Department of Public Health is working closely with officials from the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), investigating and notifying anyone who may have had exposure to the individual who tested positive for COVID-19. Local public health officials, hospitals and first responders are following protocols consistent with the latest guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)."

This particular announcement included an important caveat designated with asterisks, reading, "It is important to note that as patient tracking and case follow-up occurs, the number of Oak Park cases reported may change depending on residency confirmation."

