Coronavirus: Essential News
The most important news about the COVID-19 outbreak in Illinois, available to everyone, no subscription required.
Cases of coronavirus in the city are up 85% over the previous week, according to the most recent data available from the Chicago Department of Public Health. That’s an average of over 3,796 new cases daily.
The new measure, taking effect Jan. 3, will require restaurants, bars and gyms to check patrons’ vaccination card and ID.
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.
‘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.
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.
COVID-19 deaths can be expected to keep rising because hospitals are treating the most coronavirus patients they’ve seen since late January.
The person who contracted the variant case had been fully vaccinated and boosted, officials said.
Average daily case counts have more than tripled across the state over the past month, and now coronavirus deaths are back on the rise.
Coronavirus positivity rates and hospitalizations have also more than doubled over the past month during the fifth surge of the pandemic.
Thursday’s caseload is nearly twice as high as any other day over the past 10 months. Officials say it’s critical that more residents get vaccinated.
With Illinois facing its fifth surge of the pandemic even before the arrival of the Omicron variant, officials say it’s time to take extra precautions — but not yet shutter businesses or schools.
The latest variant identified in South Africa should encourage more people to get vaccinated against COVID-19, city officials said.
The city reached that goal a month early, but many neighborhoods on the South and West sides still lag behind.
Because of the shortened holiday work week, the Illinois Department of Public Health released the five-day figures instead of the typical seven-day statistics, complicating comparisons.
A large swath of the population remains unvaccinated. As of Nov. 18, 51.6% of Black residents have received at least one vaccine dose, according to the Chicago Department of Public Health. Among Latinos, the rate was 61.6%.
The weekly caseload is a 25% increase over last week’s seven-day total, marking the third consecutive week to see rising cases. Public health experts are concerned, but not surprised since winter is approaching, forcing people to retreat inside, often without masks.
Check out answers to frequently asked questions, including: Where can I get one? Can I go to a pharmacy? How long do I have to wait?
Cases have jumped nearly 30% statewide over the past week, including an 18% spike in Chicago.
The state logged 22,600 new cases of the deadly virus over the past week. The numbers, reported by the Illinois Department of Public Health on Friday, represent an increase of 29% over the seven-day caseload reported a week ago.
Average daily cases have shot up in Chicago by 24% since last week, underscoring the importance of getting vaccinated, officials say.
“If we can get a lot of students vaccinated now, if we can get a lot of adults vaccinated and boosted ahead of the holidays, right now is the time to do that,” Chicago Public Health Commissioner Dr. Allison Arwady said.
Cases had been falling for more than a month, but public health experts say more time indoors means more opportunity for the coronavirus to spread.
Patients can walk in to any Cook County Health site for a shot for a child, or make an appointment at (833) 308-1988.
The state’s COVID-19 numbers have improved, but not enough to make the governor consider rescinding his statewide indoor mask mandate, Pritzker said after receiving a Pfizer booster shot on the Near West Side.
A year after recommending everyone stay home for the holidays, officials still say gatherings should be kept small. And keep the buffet line moving. Guests shouldn’t be congregating closely together in the kitchen or other tight spaces.
Illinois will receive a “robust supply right from the start,” Pritzker said. The state is expected receive an initial allotment around 306,000 doses, with an additional 73,000 doses for the City of Chicago. Another roughly 100,000 doses will head to the federal government’s pharmacy partners in Illinois.
“Although we’re still in the pandemic, this Halloween and fall festivities season will look a little different than last year thanks to the safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines that are readily available,” Illinois Public Health Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike said.
Foreign national air travelers will need to be vaccinated and will need to provide proof of vaccination status to fly to the U.S., and ahead of boarding will need to show a pre-departure negative test within three days of travel.
COVID-19 hospitalizations in Illinois have fallen by 10% since last week and 28% since last month.