A debate over remote learning has left classes at Chicago Public Schools for a second straight day as both the county and state reach grim milestones in the pandemic.
Illinois once again set new records in both COVID cases and hospitalizations and Cook County is deploying trailers to area hospitals "to help decompress their morgues if necessary."
Here's what you need to know about the coronavirus pandemic across Illinois today:
Here's Who Will Be Eligible for New COVID Antiviral Pills in Illinois
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Two newly-authorized antiviral pills for treating COVID-19 will be "in the coming weeks" in Illinois, health officials announced Thursday.
The pills Paxlovid and Molnupiravir will be available by prescription only "for those with mild-to-moderate COVID-19 who are at high risk for becoming severely ill, including hospitalization or death," according to the Illinois Department of Public Health.
Read more here.
CPS Cancels Classes for Friday Amid Continuing Stalemate With CTU Over COVID Protocols
Chicago Public Schools will cancel classes district-wide for a third consecutive day on Friday as a standoff continues over whether to return to remote learning during a surge in COVID cases caused by the omicron variant.
CPS officials had said that they were hoping to allow some schools to return to in-person instruction on Friday, but instead, classes will remain canceled for all students, according to a letter sent to parents.
“Our schools are the best, safest place for students to be during this pandemic, and we are working tirelessly to get everyone back in class every day,” CPS said in a statement.
Officials said that parents should not plan to send their children to school, but said that a small number of schools may offer in-person activities if enough staff members report to work. Those schools will alert parents to such offerings on a case-by-case basis, officials said.
Read more here.
Evanston Teen's Website Helps Simplify Searches for At-Home COVID Tests
An Evanston teenager who created a website to help residents book COVID vaccine appointments now has a new mission, creating a site that will help residents find at-home coronavirus tests at a time when the kits have become more difficult to locate.
Eli Coustan, a 14-year-old whose vaccine appointment website helped countless individuals book their shots, says that his COVID test finder came about because of the difficulty his family was having in finding tests prior to a gathering.
“It was difficult to find these when we wanted to have a gathering with my aunt,” he said. “A few days later, I was thinking ‘is there a way for me to create a website that lists where you can get COVID tests shipped to your home,’ and then I created it.”
The website, FindaCOVIDTest.org, allows users to select what brand of test they want, and allows them to choose which store they would like to order it from. The site then scours the internet for results.
Read more here.
Illinois Sets Another New Case Record as Hospitalizations Climb Again
For the fourth time in eight days, the state of Illinois set another new single-day record for COVID cases, with more than 44,000 residents testing positive for the virus over the last 24 hours.
According to the Illinois Department of Public Health, the state recorded 44,089 new cases of the virus on Thursday, marking the first time that officials have reported more than 35,000 cases in a single day.
Over the last seven days, the state has averaged 27,141 new COVID cases per day, a 48% increase over the previous week’s averages, according to IDPH data.
Read more here.
New COVID Antiviral Pills to Be Available in Illinois Later This Month
Two newly-authorized antiviral pills for treating COVID-19 will soon be available in Illinois, health officials announced.
The Illinois Department of Public Health said Thursday that pills from both Pfizer and Merck will be available "in the coming weeks."
The pills, known as Paxlovid and Molnupiravir, will be available by prescription only "for those with mild-to-moderate COVID-19 who are at high risk for becoming severely ill, including hospitalization or death," the department said.
While IDPH did not give a specific date for when the pills will be available in Illinois, the department said it is working with pharmacies statewide, including Walgreens and Walmart to carry the antivirals. A complete list of locations is expected to be released in the coming weeks.
But the pills can't be given to everyone with a positive test.
Read more here.
Omicron Symptoms: Here's What to Watch For After COVID Exposure
Not sure if your symptoms are COVID-related?
Whether you were exposed or just aren't feeling well, experts say to assume that those who believe they might have a cold could have coronavirus. But what symptoms should you specifically be watching for?
It's a question many are asking as omicron cases surge into the new year following holiday gatherings and as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention update their quarantine and isolation guidelines.
Could Omicron Peak be Coming? Here's What Experts Are Watching For
As omicron COVID cases continue to surge, with many states across the country reporting record case levels, when could the variant reach its peak?
Chicago's top doctor offered her predictions based on data from around the globe Tuesday, but said, in short, "we don't know when omicron is going to peak." There are some signs experts are watching for, however.
Read more here.
Bears Add Justin Fields to COVID-19 List
The Bears placed Justin Fields on the reserve/COVID-19 list on Thursday, putting his ability to start the final game of the season against the Vikings in jeopardy.
Fields hasn’t played since Week 15, since he was dealing with an ankle injury that he sustained the last time the Bears played the Vikings. The team hoped Fields could return to action this Sunday to give him an opportunity to end his rookie season on a high note.
There’s still a chance Fields can be cleared to play by Sunday.
Read more here.
IDPH Follows CDC Recommendation, Urges Boosters for Kids Ages 12-15
The Illinois Department of Public Health on Thursday announced it would adopt the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's latest recommendation that children 12 to 15 years old get a booster dose five months after receiving their second dose.
“We know that COVID-19 vaccine booster doses can help provide ongoing protection against the Omicron variant,” IDPH Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike said in a statement. “Following the CDC’s recommendation, booster doses are encouraged for those aged 12-15 years who received their second dose of Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine five months ago.”
Chicago's health department followed suit Thursday.
With children as young as 12 now eligible for the added dose, what do we know about booster shot efficacy, safety and more, particularly surrounding the omicron variant?
Chicago Public Schools, Teachers Remain at Odds as Classes Canceled Thursday
The debate between Chicago Public Schools and the teachers’ union took a significant step forward on Tuesday as educators voted to switch to remote learning, and classes will be canceled for a second consecutive day on Thursday as negotiations continue.
After the CTU vote on Tuesday, CPS announced that classes would be canceled Wednesday, and they will remain out for Thursday after consultation with principals in the district.
"We have no choice but to cancel classes," CPS CEO Pedro Martinez said. "We've already sent another notice to families. As I had conversations with our principals and said 'what is the best path forward,' they came back to me and said, 'CEO, we got to continue to be the champions, and to advocate for in-person instruction.'"
The decision comes as school officials and teachers continue to spar over COVID safety issues that have been the center of a heated debate for months.
While Mayor Lori Lightfoot called the teachers’ vote to return to remote learning an “illegal work stoppage,” union officials described it as a necessary step to keep teachers and students safe, with the union’s membership feeling unsafe with going back into buildings during a surge in COVID cases.
“Right now, going into schools puts us at risk, puts our students and family at risk of contracting the coronavirus,” union President Jesse Sharkey said. “That’s the simple truth of the matter.”
During a virtual news conference Wednesday, Sharkey suggested that more testing could get his membership back in the classroom more quickly, and pointed to a similar program in Los Angeles schools as a model.
Illinois Sets New Records for COVID Cases, Hospitalizations as Omicron Surge Continues
Illinois set new records in both COVID cases and hospitalizations on Wednesday, with more than 32,000 new cases of the virus and nearly 7,000 COVID-positive individuals now hospitalized across the state.
According to the newest numbers from the Illinois Department of Public Health, the state reported 32,279 confirmed and probable cases of the virus Wednesday, setting a new record for single-day COVID cases.
After never reporting more than 21,000 COVID cases in a single-day, the state has now reported more than 30,000 on three separate occasions in the last seven days, according to IDPH data, representing a dramatic surge in new COVID cases.
Illinois health officials also reported another new record-high in terms of hospitalizations on Wednesday, with 6,842 patients now being hospitalized after contracting the virus.
The IDPH database reminds residents that the hospitalization numbers only include patients that currently have been diagnosed with COVID, not patients that are hospitalized specifically because of the virus.
Of those patients, 1,135 are currently in intensive care unit beds, the most the state has reported since Dec. 8, 2020.
Pritzker to Work Remotely After Close Contact With Employee Who Tested Positive for COVID
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker will work remotely in coming days after coming into close contact with a state employee who later tested positive for coronavirus, his office said Wednesday.
According to a press release, the close contact occurred Tuesday. Pritzker plans to take meetings virtually through at least Sunday after the contact, officials said.
The governor tested negative for COVID-19 on Wednesday morning, and is continuing to monitor for any symptoms, officials said. The governor has received both doses of the COVID vaccine and his booster shot.
“With the omicron variant spreading across the state, the governor is taking extra precautions to prevent the spread of the virus,” the press release said.
'Grim Milestone': Cook County Records 13K COVID Deaths; 1K Reported in Last 6 Weeks
Cook County has recorded its 13,000th coronavirus death, officials said Wednesday, calling it a "grim milestone" that comes as trailers are once again being deployed to hospitals.
Officials, citing data from the Cook County Medical Examiner's office, noted that 1,000 deaths were recorded in the last six weeks alone. Previously, it took more than three months for the county to grow from 11,000 deaths to 12,000.
In response, the county's Department of Emergency Management and Regional Security has started once again deploying trailers to area hospitals "to help decompress their morgues if necessary."
Read more here.
Pritzker to Work Remotely After Close Contact With Employee Who Tested Positive for COVID
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker will work remotely in coming days after coming into close contact with a state employee who later tested positive for coronavirus, his office said Wednesday.
According to a press release, the close contact occurred Tuesday. Pritzker plans to take meetings virtually through at least Sunday after the contact, officials said.
The governor tested negative for COVID-19 on Wednesday morning, and is continuing to monitor for any symptoms, officials said. The governor has received both doses of the COVID vaccine and his booster shot.
“With the omicron variant spreading across the state, the governor is taking extra precautions to prevent the spread of the virus,” the press release said.
Read more here.
Omicron and Quarantine or Isolation: Do You Need to Test Out? The Latest Guidance
If you test positive for COVID and isolate, do you need to take another test before you can see people again? What if you were exposed but have no symptoms?
It's a question many are asking as omicron cases surge into the new year following holiday gatherings and as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention update their quarantine and isolation guidelines.
FDA Issues Guidance Amid Throat Swab Debate: 'Tests Should Be Used as Authorized'
With many patients reporting sore throats in omicron COVID cases, a debate over whether or not to add throat swabs to testing methods has sparked, but the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has cautioned that such advice could be dangerous in some cases.
Federal guidance has not changed on how to test for COVID, and all test kits have specific FDA-approved instructions on how they should be used, but some medical professionals are debating whether adding a throat swab, in addition to nasal swabbing, could lead to more accurate test results.
The FDA noted safety concerns with such advice, particularly for at-home tests.
"The FDA advises that COVID-19 tests should be used as authorized, including following their instructions for use regarding obtaining the sample for testing," the agency said in a statement provided to NBC 5 Wednesday.
Read more here.
Chicago Travel Advisory Updated to Include Every US State, Territory
With the new year now underway, Chicago updated its travel advisory overnight to include every U.S. state and territory, prompting city health officials to urge anyone looking to travel right now to reconsider their plans.
Last week, Montana and Guam remained the only locations not on the city's warning list.
“COVID is very real, it’s merciless, and unless you are fully vaccinated, your defenses against it are pretty low,” Chicago Department of Public Health Commissioner Dr. Allison Arwady said in a statement. “You can only fully fight this virus if you’re vaccinated. The evidence is overwhelming – if you are fully vaccinated and you do get COVID-19, there’s very little chance you will get so ill that you require hospitalization. Your chances aren’t nearly as good if you remain unvaccinated. Unvaccinated and vaccinated travelers alike should consider if their travel plans are necessary at this time.”
Read more here.
Omicron Variant Causing Unique Complications In Children, Pediatricians Say
Pediatricians are seeing a unique trend in children contracting the omicron variant of COVID-19, saying it could be behind a recent spike in hospital visits as young kids suffer complications from the variant.
Dr. Latania Logan, Chief of Pediatric Infectious Diseases at RUSH University Medical Center, says narrow airways in children under 5 years of age make it easier for germs to sit where the omicron variant replicates.
This can lead to other infections like bronchiolitis, and can lead to other respiratory issues.
Read more here.
How Long After COVID Exposure Could You Test Positive?
How long could it take for someone to test positive for COVID following an exposure to someone who had the virus?
It's a question many are asking following holiday gatherings amid surging omicron variant cases.
Testing demand continues to soar as the new year gets underway and some experts say the omicron variant has "sped up" timing for what many have come to know with COVID.
When Could Omicron Symptoms Start After COVID Exposure?
As cases of the coronavirus surge with the new omicron variant continuing to spread following the holidays, your chances of being exposed to someone with the virus have likely increased. But when might symptoms first appear following a potential exposure?
Some experts say the omicron variant has "sped up" timing for what many have come to know with COVID, including the incubation period, or the time between exposure and the start of symptoms.
"As we've seen these new variants develop - delta, now omicron - what we're seeing is everything gets sped up from a COVID perspective," Chicago Department of Public Health Commissioner Dr. Allison Arwady said Thursday. "It is taking less time from when someone is exposed to COVID to potentially develop infection. It is taking less time to develop symptoms, it is taking less time that someone may be infectious and it is, for many people, taking less time to recover. A lot of that is because many more people are vaccinated."
When is the Best Time to Get Tested After COVID Exposure?
Testing demand continues to soar as the new year gets underway, but as many navigate new guidelines following holiday gatherings, when is the best time to get tested for COVID if you've been exposed?
Some experts say the omicron variant has "sped up" timing for what many have come to know with COVID.
Sore Throat? Runny Nose? The Common Omicron Symptoms to Know About
Breakthrough infections of the coronavirus are increasing in Chicago and Illinois, but health experts say it's likely that the symptoms you experience will depend on the vaccine.
Chicago Department of Public Health Commissioner Dr. Allison Arwady, the city's top doctor, said the omicron variant isn't necessarily bringing with it a new set of symptoms, but with vaccines now widely available, many are experiencing milder cases, depending on their vaccination status.
"The symptoms that we're seeing are not different with omicron than they were with delta, than they were with the original. It's just that we are seeing more what we call breakthrough infections," Arwady said Wednesday. "So the vaccines continue to protect, but not as well against infection, although they continue to protect beautifully against severe illness."
Read more here.
