Illinois Department of Public Health

The Illinois Department of Public Health says it is offering no-cost and low-cost COVID-19 testing supplies to elementary schools across the state, continuing its push to allow in-person education to take place later this year. According to an IDPH press release, schools will be given access to the saliva-based covidSHIELD test, developed by scientists at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign….

Another side effect of COVID-19, the School District of Philadelphia will see an uptick in students enrolling in summer school this year. Nearly 15,000 students have already signed up to make up for lost learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. This is an increase from the 9,300 students that signed up last year.

Under a new Illinois House Bill, both private and public schools in Illinois would have to follow in-person instruction requirements established by the state’s Department of Public Health in the event of a public health emergency. Some parents, however, worry that if made law, the bill would take away power from local public and private schools. House Bill 2789 requires…

Illinois officials are urging residents to check themselves and loved ones for tick bites while outside, reminding that the insects can carry a host of diseases.

More and more Americans have been vaccinated in recent weeks, but the number of those who’ve skipped their second dose has risen as well. More than 5 million people, around 8% of those who received one shot of the Moderna or Pfizer vaccines, didn’t get their second dose, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. But…

Illinois officials are urging residents to check themselves and loved ones for tick bites while outside, reminding that the insects can carry a host of diseases.

While more than 9 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been administered throughout Illinois, data shows the average of daily administered doses has declined in recent weeks, presenting a new challenge for state health officials.

Illinois officials are urging residents to check themselves and their children carefully for ticks after spending time in wooded areas this spring. The Illinois Department of Public Health announced that May is Lyme Disease Awareness Month. Ticks carry Lyme and other debilitating and sometimes fatal illnesses such as Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Tularemia, Ehrlichiosis, and Babesiosis. Removing ticks with 24…

Health officials across the Chicago area said they are “anxious” about the upward trend of COVID-19 metrics over the past several weeks and watching the numbers closely.

In order for Illinois to move to the new “Bridge Phase,” considered the final step before the full reopening, the entire state must meet the required metrics.

The Cubs home opener will kick off Thursday with Chicago and Illinois’ top doctors throwing out the first pitch, featuring a special appearance from the city’s mayor.

Following an announcement from the state last week, a number of Illinois counties are now offering vaccinations to any state resident 16 and older.

Frustration over not being able to find a vaccination appointment in suburban Chicago has led some to hit the road. NBC 5’s Lauren Petty talked with people who drove several hours to get their vaccine.

With many having hard time finding doses of the COVID-19 vaccine in the Chicago area, some frustrated Illinois residents have taken an unconventional approach and decided to hit the road.

Lake County health officials say the first case of the COVID-19 variant from Brazil has been identified in the county.

In dramatic contrast to previous years, Downers Grove-based Advocate Aurora Health has reported zero positive flu cases across its 26 hospitals since September 2020, the health system announced Sunday.

In dramatic contrast to previous years, Downers Grove-based Advocate Aurora Health has reported zero positive flu cases across its 26 hospitals since September 2020, the health system announced Sunday.

The Chicago Department of Public Health reported the city’s first case of the Brazilian COVID-19 variant Friday, which also marked the first such case in Illinois, according to health officials. The case of the coronavirus variant P.1, which was identified by a research team at the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, was confirmed in an individual who hasn’t...

The first case of the COVID-19 variant was identified in Lake County, health officials announced Saturday.

With new, more contagious variants of the coronavirus circulating, health experts are adjusting their recommendations for face masks. NBC News medical correspondent Dr. John Torres joined LX News to explain why you should make sure your face mask is well-fitted and double up.