As summer winds down, Illinois continues to see a spike in the number of COVID-19 cases. According to Illinois Department of Public Health data, 3,114 new cases were reported Thursday.
Health officials say the overwhelming majority of new infections across the state and country are due to the more transmissible delta variant.
With roughly 50% of all Illinoisans fully vaccinated and the emerging trend of businesses, institutions and events requiring proof of vaccination, the IDPH on Monday unveiled an online portal for residents to access their vaccination status, called Vax Verify.
READ: Illinois Now Has a COVID-19 Vaccine Verification System
Despite 203 reported cases from attendees of Lollapalooza, Chicago Department of Public Health Commissioner Dr. Allison Arwady said she did not believe the music festival was a superspreader event at a news conference Thursday.
“The bottom line is we’ve not seen anything that’s surprised us related to this Lollapalooza outbreak,” Arwady said.
READ: ‘No Evidence’ Lollapalooza Was a Superspreader Event: Arwady
As students, teachers and staff prepare to return to Chicago Public Schools on Aug. 30, the city’s school district and teachers union continue to debate safety guidelines. Arwady recommends a return to in-person schooling this fall.
Dr. Susan Bleasdale, medical director of infection prevention and control at UI Health, joins “Chicago Tonight” to break down the latest data and recommendations.
