Coronavirus Vaccine News
The latest on the development and distribution of coronavirus vaccines, including when and how to get yours.
With coronavirus hospitalizations at an all-time high across Illinois, experts say it’s critical for residents to continue following basic precautions — and to stop dismissing the most infectious variant yet as “mild.”
Between Jan. 3, the day the order took effect, and Wednesday, the Chicago Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection issued a total of 32 citations to the businesses.
More Illinoisans are testing positive for COVID-19 each day than ever before — an average of 32,501 per day over the last week — and “unfortunately, right now, today, the hospitals are bearing the brunt,” Illinois Public Health Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike said. The spike is also resulting in more deaths, with 144 on Wednesday alone, the worst daily toll in over a year.
“I will continue to work from home while following the CDC guidelines for isolation,” the mayor said in a statement. “This is an urgent reminder for folks to get vaccinated and boosted as it’s the only way to beat this pandemic.”
Nearly 4,800 Chicagoans are still testing positive each day on average — about double any previous case surge the city has seen — but that rate is down about 8% from last week, according to city data.
The city was allocated $1.9 billion in federal relief funds through the American Rescue Plan. Some of that money freed up other city money, which was used to pay down debt.
Shifting rules at indoor rinks in the city and suburbs — including some that don’t appear to align with new mandates — have led to players and parents scratching their heads.
“We haven’t peaked yet. We’re filling up more and more beds,” said Dr. Sajal Tanna of Northwestern Memorial Hospital. “Everybody is stretched incredibly thin. I honestly don’t know if there is much more room to stretch.”
The rise in hospitalized children comes as Illinois set another record for total new COVID-19 cases Thursday, with more than 44,000 reported statewide. The state also saw 104 more viral deaths, the most in a day in nearly a year.
More than 250 Cook County residents died of COVID-19 last week, the worst weekly toll seen in the Chicago area since vaccines were introduced. Over the past seven days, the entire state has averaged more than 25,000 COVID-19 infections. That’s roughly like the population of suburban Melrose Park testing positive each day.
The exposure in Chicago happened as state lawmakers convene in Springfield for a legislative session that has already been shortened due to the statewide surge in coronavirus cases.
Southern Illinois hospitals — which were overrun late last summer during the initial Delta variant wave — are also approaching capacity once again.
“With the holidays only a week or two in the rearview mirror, I fear the climb will continue as the virus incubates in those who were exposed at the end of December,” Gov. J.B. Pritzker said.
John Catanzara has for months pushed back against Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s vaccine mandate for city employees.
With cases, hospitalizations and deaths rising rapidly, officials are urging more residents to get vaccinated and boosted.
With infections soaring to record-breaking heights, Chicagoans “have to do everything that they can to make sure that they protect themselves,” Mayor Lori Lightfoot said.
Mary Kay Tuzi, owner of Twin Anchors at 1655 N. Sedgwick St., said restaurants have been unfairly targeted throughout the pandemic and have borne the brunt of COVID-19 mandates.
Health systems see rising cases, staffing challenges and no relief in sight.
The new measure, taking effect Jan. 3, will require restaurants, bars and gyms to check patrons’ vaccination card and ID.
In Illinois, 63 people died of the virus Tuesday as another 10,264 cases were reported statewide
Tips to help you store and present your proof of vaccination now that the city has issued a requirement it be presented to get into bars, gyms and other locations.
The Biden administration’s vaccine requirement applies to companies with 100 or more employees and covers about 84 million U.S. workers.
A hospital executive’s suburban church was the recipient of hundreds of shots at a time when supply was limited and Chicago’s West Side was being ravaged by COVID-19.
‘This is setting up to be a very deadly COVID Christmas and New Year’s.’
Las unidades de cuidados intensivos están a casi al 91% de capacidad en todo el estado.
Something Good in Englewood is among those organizing mass inoculations on the South Side and the West Side, where the risks of infection are higher because of low vaccination rates.
“Loyola’s vaccination and booster requirement is informed by our Jesuit, Catholic commitment to the common good, solidarity, and justice,” school administration said in an email sent Wednesday.
While it was a moment to celebrate the progress the city has made in getting residents vaccinated, Dr. Allison Arwady said the pandemic was far from over as a large swath of people remain unvaccinated.
COVID-19 cases are on the rise heading into Chicago Public Schools’ winter break, reaching by far the highest rates this school year, though they still make up only a tiny fraction of the massive district’s student enrollment.
COVID-19’s latest “variant of concern” has likely been in the state for weeks, experts say, and more cases are expected to be confirmed soon.