With winter coming up, Chicago-area experts are warning that there could be an explosion of viruses in the coming months, with RSV already surging ahead of a feared rise in COVID and flu.
Plus, as new variants emerge and spread, which are the most concerning and where do things stand?
Here's what you need to know about the coronavirus pandemic across Illinois today:
DuPage County to Permanently Close COVID-19 Testing Site
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The DuPage County Health Department announced that it will close its COVID-19 testing facility at the Dupage County Fairgrounds later this week.
According to a press release, the department will shut the site down on Friday.
The department cites the widespread availability of other testing sites and at-home COVID tests, and says residents can find information on additional sites at this link.
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More than 60,000 tests were conducted at the fairgrounds.
How Concerned Should You Be About COVID-19 ‘Scrabble' Variants? Here's What We Know So Far
Though BA.5 still accounts for most U.S. Covid-19 cases, percentages are rising for the other omicron variants circulating throughout the country, per the CDC.
"The ones that are particularly concerning are BQ.1 and another related one called BQ.1.1. Those are two that are expanding fairly rapidly in the United States," according to Roy Gulick, chief of the division of infectious disease at Weill Cornell Medicine and NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital.
Read more here.
BQ.1, BQ.1.1 Variants, Resistant to Some COVID Treatments, Continue to Gain Ground in U.S.
The BA.5 subvariant of COVID-19 remains the dominant strain in the United States this week, but several other new forms of the virus are gaining ground, and physicians warn that some treatments against the illness may not be effective against them.
According to the latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, BA.5 is making up approximately 62.2% of COVID cases in the U.S. That subvariant has been the dominant strain of COVID since early July, but it’s rapidly declining as other strains take hold.
Read more here.
Chicago-Area Doctors Predict ‘Explosion' of Flu, RSV and COVID This Fall and Winter
As temperatures drop and restrictions like vaccination and mask mandates continue to ease, Chicago-area doctors are bracing for what they're predicting will be a "potentially scary cold and flu season."
One of the main reasons, health experts say, is a lag in eligible people opting to receive the flu shot and COVID bivalent booster.
Read more here.
I Have COVID, Now What Should I Do? Here's the Latest Guidance
For those who contract COVID for the first time or who test positive following updated guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention this summer, there may be some uncertainty about what to do next.
If you had COVID previously and followed the proper guidance, you'll need to take note as the current recommendations aren't the same as before. The CDC last changed its quarantine and isolation guidance in August.
Read more here.
Most Common COVID Symptoms Have Changed, Study Says. Here's Why and What They Are
While those who contract COVID-19 may come down with one of more than 20 symptoms, that isn't the case for everyone. Some people who test positive can develop multiple symptoms while others may not even experience any.
And if you do come down with COVID after having it another time before, the symptoms you have - and severity of them - may be drastically different than the other time you were infected. As revealed by a recent study, there may be a reason for that.
Read more here.
Is There a ‘Nightmare' COVID Variant Spreading Right Now? Here's What to Know for Chicago Area
While the BQ.1 and BQ.1.1 COVID subvariants have gained traction across the U.S. in recent days, another new strain is responsible for a surge in cases in Singapore.
Referred to as the "nightmare" variant in some reports, XBB is the combination of two omicron subvariants - BA.2.10.1 and BA.2.10.75 - and is said to have a "significant growth advantage," said Dr. Maria Van Kerkhove, an infectious disease specialist and the technical lead for COVID-19 response at the World Health Organization.
Read more here.
How Long Can You Continue to Test Positive for COVID-19?
As concerns over COVID-19 rise heading into the winter months, many are wondering how long they can expect to test positive in the event of contracting COVID.
With the more recent periods, the incubation period, the time between when you're infected to when symptoms appear, has dropped to three days, Dr. Allison Arwady, commissioner of the Chicago Department of Public Health, has said. Most elements with both the aforementioned strains have moved faster compared to others, the doctor noted.
Read more here.
Masks Recommended in 3 Illinois Counties With ‘High' COVID Community Level
Masks are advised in three Illinois counties that have returned to "high" COVID community level status following an increase in weekly metrics, according to the latest update from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
As of Friday, Knox, Saline and Warren counties were all said to be at "high" community level status.
Read more here.
Loss of Smell May Not Happen Right Away. What We Know About the COVID Symptom
While it seemed that loss of smell may have faded from the most common symptoms associated with the virus, health experts say it's still being seen in many infections — and for some, it may not hit right away.
Chicago's top doctor said the city continues to see a "wide range of symptoms," including loss of taste and smell.
Read more here.
Pfizer Says COVID-19 Vaccine Will Cost $110-$130 Per Dose
Pfizer will charge $110 to $130 for a dose of its COVID-19 vaccine once the U.S. government stops buying the shots, but the drugmaker says it expects many people will continue receiving it for free.
Pfizer executives said the commercial pricing for adult doses could start early next year, depending on when the government phases out its program of buying and distributing the shots.
Read more here.
