Health
COVID-19 Cases Are on the Rise. Here’s What Chicago Health Officials Say You Should Know
Public health officials are warning COVID-19 cases are on the rise.
Nationally, we’re seeing an increase in positive viral activity this summer — and Chicago is no exception.
With the start of the new school year right around the corner — just what is the latest COVID-19 guidance?
Chicago has seen an increased number of cases in previous years following a similar pattern emerging around the end of summer and beginning of fall. However, experts claim there is not enough evidence to classify COVID-19 as a seasonal virus.
“We’re not in a place to say COVID is seasonal,” said Dr. Olusimbo “Simbo” Ige, commissioner of the Chicago Department of Public Health. “It’s very early to tell. What we do know, with COVID, is cases tend to start rising in the fall, as is with respiratory viruses.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, cases started to rise the week ending May 18 and have seen a steady incline since. The CDC no longer recommends universal case investigation and contact tracing but suggests health departments turn to alternative methods to keep track of the virus.
“Our mainstay right now is the wastewater surveillance because we no longer have the comprehensive testing program, and we are no longer getting reports on hospitalization,” Ige said. “We are tracking across the city wastewater that helps to detect what the activity is for COVID. And that’s how we know when things are inching up and when things are stabilizing.”
Nationally, the wastewater viral activity level for COVID-19 is currently high. But there has not been much cause for concern.
“The good news is that last year hospitalization for COVID was at its lowest,” Ige said. “Mortality from COVID was at its lowest. So that’s why we’re optimistic. We want people to be cautious, but not panic.”
COVID-19 is known for being adept and constantly mutating. The new variant, FLiRT, is the cause for the increased cases. While FLiRT hasn’t shown signs of evading immunity or being a severe disease, the CDPH still advises people to take the necessary precautions.
“We can keep COVID at bay with vaccines,” Ige said. “We want people to be prepared for the fall and winter by getting the protection that they need.”
A new vaccine for FLiRT is expected to be released in September. The FDA is currently advising drugmakers to target the KP.2 strain. For those who do test positive, CDPH recommends seeking treatment.
“Paxlovid can be prescribed at the pharmacy or hospitals for those who test positive, especially those who have risk factors,” Ige said.
In addition to recommending people get vaccinated, wear masks and seek treatment, the CDPH also has plans in place to prepare for the new wave of migrants Chicago is expected to see at the beginning of respiratory season.
“We have a lot of expertise in disease surveillance and response,” Ige said. “... We have all kinds of scenarios planned for new arrivals coming. And we have a vaccination policy, so anybody coming to the landing zone is vaccinated now before they are out in the landing zone.”
