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

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First likely COVID-19-related death reported in Oak Park

April 2, 2020 – Oak Park Public Health Director Mike Charley announced today the first death of an Oak Park resident likely to be related to the COVID-19 coronavirus.

The fatality is a man in his 60s. He had earlier tested positive for the virus, but the final cause of death will be determined by the Cook County Medical Examiner.

Director Charley acknowledged that although a death was not unanticipated, it remained difficult news for Oak Park Public Health staff as they considered what the individual’s friends and family likely were going through. 

Oak Park Mayor Anan Abu-Taleb asked the community to “keep this man and his family in our thoughts and prayers.”

“Let us stay vigilant in being safe, let us have faith and let us be united together and stop this virus from turning our lives into numbers and statistics,” he said.

The death comes as the Illinois Department of Public Health is reporting that 52 Oak Park residents have now tested positive for COVID-19. Six new positive tests were reported today and included individuals who range in ages from their 20s to their 60s.

Statewide, the Illinois Department of Public Health is reporting 7,695 cases to date, including 157 deaths, in 61 counties. The age of the cases range from younger than one to older than 100 years.

Because of privacy laws, no additional information can be released about individuals who have tested positive. 

Anyone who has had close, direct contact with any individual who tests positive for COVID-19 is notified by the local public health authority as part of standard patient tracking and case follow-up procedures.

Local testing status bulletins and other related information are posted at www.oak-park.us/covid19.

Anyone with health questions about COVID-19 may call the state hotline at 1.800.8893931 or email dph.sick@illinois.gov.