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Proof of Pre-existing Conditions Advised, but Not Required, in Phase 1B of COVID Vaccinations
Beginning this week, Illinois residents with pre-existing conditions and other comorbidities will become eligible to receive the coronavirus vaccine under Phase 1B of the state’s vaccination program, and Gov. J.B. Pritzker says that proof of such a condition, while not explicitly required, will help expedite the process for residents seeking the treatment. Speaking during a press availability on Monday,...
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Illinois' Top Doctor Receives Coronaviurs Vaccination, Gives Passionate Remarks
Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike received the first dose of her COVID-19 vaccination Tuesday.
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A Look Back at Some of the Stories That Shaped 2020
As the new year approaches, here’s a look back at the stories that shaped a challenging 2020.
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Each of Illinois' Health Regions Will Receive COVID-19 Vaccine Doses in First Week
Reversing course on initial vaccine distribution plans, Illinois’ public health director said Friday all of the state’s 10 “regional hub” hospitals will receive doses of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine to distribute in week one. Illinois is looking for shipments to arrive as early as next week, as soon as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration grants final approval. Last week,...
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6 Coronavirus Vaccine Myths ‘Debunked,' According to Health Experts
Illinois’ top doctor urged residents to seek out verified information on the coronavirus vaccine currently awaiting approval in the U.S., warning of myths and misinformation spreading.
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Illinois' Top Doctor Urges Flu Vaccines as State Reports COVID-19 and Flu Coinfections
Illinois’ top doctor urged residents to prioritize getting their flu vaccination Monday as she revealed that some patients in the state have contracted flu and COVID-19 coinfections. Dr. Ngozi Ezike, the director of the Illinois Department of Public Health, didn’t provide a number of affected patients at the state’s daily coronavirus briefing, but noted “we’re not anywhere near the...
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‘Monitor Yourself,' Pritzker Sends Message to People Who Traveled, Gathered With Family Thanksgiving
Though Gov. J.B. Pritzker said Illinois will likely not see the coronavirus surge from Thanksgiving yet, officials sent a message to people who traveled or gathered with family amid the pandemic.
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Post-Thanksgiving COVID-19 Surge Could Overwhelm Illinois' Health Care System
Citing national health experts who’ve expressed concerns over the possibility of a post-Thanksgiving surge in coronavirus cases, Illinois’ Gov. J.B. Pritzker issued a stern warning to residents Monday, saying the state’s health care system could become overwhelmed if Illinoisans aren’t careful. Despite guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as well as pleas from health officials to...
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It's Not Too Late to Change Your Thanksgiving Plans, Illinois' Top Doctor Says
Dr. Ngozi Ezike, Illinois’ top public health official, urged residents to be part of the plan to decrease coronavirus infections and take proper precautions this Thanksgiving.
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It's Not Too Late to Change Your Thanksgiving Plans, Illinois' Top Doctor Says
Thanksgiving’s not here just yet. And if you’re planning to take part in a large gathering, it’s not too late to change your mind. That’s the message Illinois’ Department of Public Health Director, Dr. Ngozi Ezike, shared Monday as she and Gov. J.B. Pritzker voiced concerns about the possibility of an uptick in coronavirus cases, deaths and hospitalizations stemming...
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Illinois' Top Doctor Urges Kindness as Cases, Hospitalizations Increase
With Illinois experiencing the second surge of the coronavirus pandemic, Dr. Ngozi Ezike, the director of the state’s department of public of health, encouraged residents to be kind and not take their frustrations out on one another.
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Illinois' Top Doctor on Latest Coronavirus Info
Illinois’ top health official shares the latest information on the coronavirus pandemic, vaccines, where the state is seeing the most transmission, hospital capacity and more.
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Who Spreads Coronavirus Most in Illinois and How They Contract It, According to Illinois' Top Doctor
The people in Illinois who are contracting coronavirus the most are not the ones who are dying from it, Illinois’ top health official says, detailing how the deadly virus is spreading across the state and again pleading with residents to change their behavior.
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Illinois' Top Health Official on Vaccines, Where Coronavirus Spreads Most, Hospitals and More
Illinois’ top health official says the state has been preparing a plan to vaccinate residents once a coronavirus vaccine is available but gave an impassioned plea once more to hold holiday celebrations virtually and to wear masks as she says health care workers are sounding the alarm and that the state is heading in the “wrong direction” with the pandemic.
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Q&A: Dr. Ngozi Ezike Answers Vaccine Questions
Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike answers some questions on the COVID-19 vaccine progress, the case number surge in Illinois and how to have a safer Thanksgiving this year.
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IDPH Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike: ‘Hang in There'
Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike revealed the latest coronavirus numbers Monday as she advised residents to “hang in there” during the pandemic.
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Illinois' Top Doctor Addresses Rapid COVID-19 Test Accuracy Concerns
Illinois’ top doctor on Friday defended the use of rapid antigen tests to detect COVID-19 as reports of false negatives and false positives surfaced nationwide, leading to questions about accuracy. In one instance that garnered nationwide attention, tech entrepreneur Elon Musk tweeted he took four COVID-19 rapid antigen tests on Thursday, and received two negative and two positive results. Musk,…
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Two Weeks after NBC 5 Revealed Illinois' Secret List, the State Still Won't Release Outbreak Details
On Monday, after promising NBC 5 for weeks that it would release its data on thousands of coronavirus outbreaks, it posted some information on its website. But the “data” turns out to be just some pie charts and general numbers; no details at all about the thousands of outbreaks it has been tracking. However, you can see the state’s entire…
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Illinois Doctors Express Cautious Optimism Over Pfizer Coronavirus Vaccine, but Concerns Remain
Doctors in Illinois are expressing cautious optimism after early analysis of a coronavirus vaccine developed in part by Pfizer showed a more than 90% efficacy rate in preventing infection. The vaccine, developed by Pfizer and German-company Biontech, is more than 90% effective in preventing infection, a huge success considering that the target for efficacy was in the 50% range, according…
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Dr. Ezike Encourages COVID-19 Testing, Explains Guidance for Holiday Gatherings
As Illinois battles a second surge in coronavirus cases, Dr. Ngozi Ezike, the state’s top doctor, on Monday encouraged people to get tested for COVID-19 and issued a few important reminders with Thanksgiving and Christmas later this season.