coronavirus chicago

This week, the Food and Drug Administration revoked Emergency Use Authorization for COVID-19 antibody drugs from Regeneron and Eli Lilly, a regulatory move that was expected because both drug makers have found that the infusion drugs are less able to target omicron due to the strain’s mutations. NBC 5’s Kate Chappell has more.

Though top health officials advise continued diligence around the pandemic, Chicago has likely passed the peak for the omicron COVID-19 variant and more people could be looking to go out in the city and surrounding suburbs this weekend.

Chicago has officially reached the peak of the omicron COVID variant, the city’s top doctor announced Wednesday, though she noted the city is “a long way from being out of the woods.”

The Chicago Teachers Union has narrowly backed an agreement dictating COVID-19 safety protocols in the nation’s third-largest school district

More than 2,000 health care workers have already been sent struggling hospitals across Illinois this month, but hundreds more are slated to be deployed in the coming weeks, Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced Wednesday.

Illinois schools now have new guidance on COVID-19 isolation and quarantine times as the state’s board of education alters its guidelines to align with changes from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

With the state of Illinois setting new records for patients hospitalized with COVID-19, there has been some pushback on just how those hospitalizations are defined.

Chicago is handing out 1.5 million masks to city aldermen Tuesday, which will then be distributed to residents as the city continues to work to lower the current surge in cases sparked by the omicron COVID variant.

Chicago Public Schools released a statement Saturday afternoon in response to the teachers union’s latest proposal for COVID protocols in and around the classroom.

The Chicago Teachers Union is set to detail their proposal to city officials Saturday afternoon as negotiations continue and classes are canceled Monday.

Chicago Public Schools students won’t return to the classroom Monday unless a breakthrough occurs in negotiations with the Chicago Teachers Union, according to a district spokesman. NBC 5’s Vi Nguyen reports.

Chicago Public Schools officials canceled classes Monday as discussions continue with the teachers’ union over COVID safety protocols in the classroom. NBC 5’s Mary Ann Ahern reports.

Chicago Public Schools students won’t return to the classroom for a fourth school day Monday unless a breakthrough occurs in negotiations with the Chicago Teachers Union, according to a district spokesman.

Illinois schools will soon receive guidance on COVID-19 isolation and quarantine times as the state’s board of education says it plans to align with new guidelines from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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.

Negotiations between CPS and CTU continued Wednesday amid a stalemate over remote learning. NBC 5’s Lexi Sutter has the story.

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.

As the omicron variant continues to spread rapidly across the United States, Chicago’s top doctor was asked whether it was necessary for city residents to double-mask to help avoid infection.

Nearly one-in-four reported COVID tests in the city of Chicago are coming back with positive results, continuing a rapid increase in positivity rates in the city.

A Chicago-area health care system is dealing with record COVID-19 hospitalizations as cases surge across Illinois and nationwide. NBC 5’s Kate Chappell reports.