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New XBB.1.5 Variant, Return to School Fuel Worries About Post-Holiday COVID Spike
Concerns have emerged about the possibility of a post-holiday COVID surge fueled by a new variant, recent large gatherings and the return to the classroom following winter break. While increases in COVID cases have occurred in other parts of the U.S., weekly case numbers, hospital admissions and weekly deaths declined in recent days across Illinois, according to data from...
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Not Sure If You Still Have COVID or if You Got it a 2nd Time? How Long You Can Test Positive and More
How can you tell if you have a new COVID infection or if your positive test is potentially lingering from a recent infection?
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How Long Can You Test Positive for COVID? It Depends, Top Doc Says
For many recovering from COVID-19, the uncertainty surrounding whether they may have it a second time or are still testing positive from their previous infection can mark an added hurdle – and a lot of it may have to do with the type of test you’re using.
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How Likely Are You to Get Reinfected With COVID? Here's What Chicago's Top Doc Says
With the BA.5 omicron subvariant leading to a rise in reinfections, even for those who may have already had omicron, many are wondering how likely they could get COVID again following an infection.
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How Long Can You Test Positive for COVID? BA.5 Making Some Last Longer, Top Doc Says
If you’ve tested positive for COVID and have completed your isolation but are still testing positive, you’re likely not alone. How long could your results stay positive? Turns out, the ultra-contagious BA.5 omicron subvariant could be making people stay positive longer, according to Chicago’s top doctor.
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Is COVID's Incubation Period Changing With New BA.5 Subvariant? Chicago's Top Doctor Explains
With the most contagious version of coronavirus yet spreading across the country, what does that mean for COVID’s incubation period and is it changing?
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Still Testing Positive for COVID After Isolation Period? Here's What Doctors Say to Do
After undergoing five days of isolation and an additional five days of strict mask wearing, some people are still testing positive for COVID-19, even though the recommended isolation period has ended.
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Will You Need a New Booster Shot This Fall to Fight Omicron COVID Variants?
With new highly-transmissible omicron subvariants taking over the Midwest and U.S., could you need a new coronavirus booster vaccine this fall? NBC 5’s Lauren Petty reports.
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COVID Symptoms vs. Cold: Here's How to Spot the Difference
If you’ve come down with a runny nose or sore throat recently, you may be wondering whether it’s the common cold, allergies or a COVID-19 infection.
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Chicago's Top Doctor Urges Precautions as COVID Metrics Rise
With more than one million people expected to visit Chicago for Memorial Day weekend and climbing COVID metrics, health officials are recommending masks and other safety measures. NBC 5’s Lexi Sutter reports.
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Chicago, Cook County Move to ‘Medium' COVID Risk Level
Both Chicago and Cook County have moved from “low” to “medium” risk for COVID-19, the Chicago Department of Public Health announced Friday, as cases continue to rise across the area. NBC 5’s Natalie Martinez has the story.
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Protesters Call for Chicago to Reinstate Mask Mandate Due to Rising COVID Cases
A number of Chicago residents stood together in the Little Village neighborhood Sunday, pleading for the city to reinstate its COVID-19 mask mandate to prevent a possible surge following another uptick in cases.
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COVID, Cold and Flu: How Symptoms and Infections Differ
From a sore throat to a runny nose, several symptoms of COVID-19 are similar to those of the common cold and flu, and people have been asking how to tell the difference among infections.
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Chicago COVID Cases Rising, but Spread Remains Low According to City's Top Doc
The city of Chicago is seeing a slight rise in COVID cases, but Dr. Allison Arwady, Commissioner of the Chicago Department of Public Health, said during a press conference on Thursday that there’s a key takeaway that she wants Chicagoans to pay attention to. Lisa Chavarria explains.
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What are the Symptoms of the Omicron Subvariant BA.2? Here's What Experts Say So Far
Months after the U.S. experienced a surge in cases of the omicron variant, focus has turned to different strain – BA.2, a subvariant of omicron, also referred to as “stealth omicron.”
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‘Large Surges' of COVID Reported Around the World. But City's Top Doctor Predicts Big Difference for US, Chicago
The BA.2 omicron subvariant is expected to make up most of Chicago’s COVID cases by the end of the month, the city’s top doctor said Tuesday.
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COVID Symptoms vs. Cold: Here's How to Tell the Difference
With cases of the delta coronavirus variant sparking surges across the country, what should you know about your symptoms and when should you get tested?
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Customers, Officials React After Feds Raid COVID Testing Site in Chicago
Company officials and customers are reacting tonight after a Chicago COVID testing site was raided by federal agents. NBC 5’s Lexi Sutter has more details.
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Chicago Could Lift Vaccine Requirement ‘Not That Long From Now' If Downward Trends Continue: Arwady
Chicago’s vaccine mandate in place at bars, restaurants and gyms could be lifted “not that long from now” should the city continue to see COVID-19 metrics trending downward, according to Chicago’s top doctor.
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Restaurant Vaccine Mandate, Indoor Mask Rules Could Be Rolled Back ‘Soon' If COVID Cases Stay in Free Fall
The city’s vaccine mandate for bar and restaurant patrons could be rescinded “quite soon” if COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations keep falling as drastically as they have over the past two weeks, Chicago Public Health Commissioner Dr. Allison Arwady said Tuesday.