Stories by Kristen Thometz
Preckwinkle, Cook County Officials Sound the Alarm on Rising Opioid Overdose Deaths
COVID-19 is disproportionately impacting Black and Brown communities, but the opioid crisis is also taking a “devastating toll” on Chicago-area residents this year, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle said.
Chicago Museums Can Reopen in Phase 4, But Not All of Them Will
Museums and aquariums can now reopen their doors — with restrictions — but few of them have, and at least one Chicago institution says it will remain closed until phase five of Illinois’ reopening plan.
Pritzker Outlines Plan that Would Trigger Additional COVID-19 Restrictions
With the number of coronavirus cases rising in Illinois, Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Wednesday announced a new COVID-19 mitigation plan to combat a possible resurgence of the virus.
Pritzker Says He Won’t Hesitate to Reimpose COVID-19 Restrictions
“I will not hesitate to reimpose some mitigations if we see (coronavirus) numbers moving upward,” Gov. J.B. Pritzker said Tuesday. “My concern again is all about the health and safety of the people of Illinois.”
Infectious Disease Expert: Better National Leadership Needed to Fight COVID-19
COVID-19 numbers are rising nationally to startling new highs. Cases in the city and state are also climbing. What’s going on? We check in with Dr. Emily Landon of UChicago Medicine.
Got Maskne? Tips to Prevent, Treat Acne Under Your Mask
Wearing a mask, washing your hands frequently and using hand sanitizer can take a toll on your skin. A local dermatologist shares tips to preventing and treating ailments like “maskne.”
Mobile COVID-19 Testing Teams to be Deployed to Hard-Hit Communities
New statewide COVID-19 totals: 149,432 cases, 7,099 deaths
A dozen new mobile testing teams will offer drive-thru and walk-up services across the state, free of charge.
Gov. Pritzker: ‘We Need a National Masking Mandate’
Testifying before a U.S. House committee on Wednesday, Gov. J.B. Pritzker outlined steps the federal government can take to respond to the worsening coronavirus pandemic, including a mandate on wearing face masks.
Coalition Calls on Governor to Move Nursing Home Residents to Hotels
Advocacy groups are calling on Gov. J.B. Pritzker to move residents from nursing homes and other congregate care settings into community settings, like hotels, to allow for proper social distancing and to stop the spread of COVID-19.
Officials Report Lowest Number of Coronavirus-Related Deaths in Illinois Since March
New statewide COVID-19 totals: 147,865 cases, 7,026 deaths
As the number of deaths linked to COVID-19 surpasses 130,000 across the U.S., Illinois officials on Monday reported fewer than 10 deaths for the second consecutive day.
Medical, Hospital Associations to Public: ‘Wear a Face Mask’
In an open letter to the American public, physicians, nurses, hospital and health system leaders are urging people to wear face masks, maintain social distancing and wash their hands to stop the spread of the coronavirus.
State Health Officials Urge Businesses to Comply with Public Health Measures
New statewide COVID-19 totals: 145,750 cases, 7,005 deaths
State health officials are urging businesses and residents to comply with public health measures aimed at curbing the spread of the coronavirus, which has now been detected in all of Illinois’ 102 counties.
Officials Urge Residents to Stay Safe from Heat, COVID-19 This Weekend
“Be safe in all the ways that you can, protect yourself from the heat and protect yourself and all of Chicago from further spread of COVID-19,” Dr. Allison Arwady, commissioner of the Chicago Department of Public Health, said Friday morning.
Going to a Wedding or Planning One in 2020? Here’s What You Can Expect
What will weddings look like in the age of COVID-19? Here’s what betrothed couples and their guests can expect as Illinois settles into phase four of its reopening plan.
FDA: Streamwood Facility ‘Likely Cause’ of Foodborne Illness Linked to Salads
Health officials say a Cook County production facility is the “likely cause” of an outbreak of an intestinal illness linked to packaged salads that has sickened more than 200 people across the country.
Care Kits for COVID-19 Patients Aim to Ease Anxiety
A local health center is giving COVID-19 patients tools to monitor their blood oxygen levels as they recover at home.
As City Enters Phase 4, COVID-19 Positivity Rate Remains High in 60639 ZIP Code
An analysis of city data shows the majority of Chicago ZIP codes have positivity rates at or below those needed move into phase four, but one has a rate of 15.3%. We discuss metrics and reopening with Chicago’s top doctor.
Officials Praise Residents, Urge Caution as Illinois Enters Phase 4
New statewide totals: 139,434 cases, 6,810 deaths
It’s official: Illinois will move into the next phase of its reopening plan Friday. “Illinois is being touted across the country for getting it right,” said Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike.
CDC: Growing Number of Salmonella Outbreaks Linked to Backyard Chickens, Ducks
More than 460 people across the country, including 16 in Illinois, have become ill after coming in contact with poultry in backyard flocks, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
With Blood Supplies ‘Critically Low,’ Centers Seek Donations
Coronavirus-related shutdowns of businesses, schools and community organizations has led to massive cancellations of blood drives, leading to a nearly 60% drop in collections, according to the Illinois Coalition of Community Blood Centers.
Pritzker Unveils Plans for Schools to Reopen in the Fall
New statewide totals: 137,825 cases, 6,707 deaths
Teachers, parents and students across Illinois finally have an answer to the question of whether or not classrooms will reopen in the fall — and the answer is yes. But it’s not going to be business as usual.
Health Officials Investigating Foodborne Illness Linked to Packaged Salads
An outbreak of an intestinal illness linked to packaged salads has sickened more than 20 people across the state, according to health officials.
COVID-19 Saliva Test as Accurate as Swabs, UChicago Research Finds
Testing for COVID-19 involves inserting a swab deep into the nasal cavity. But the virus can also be detected in saliva, and early research by University of Chicago scientists found those less invasive tests to be just as accurate.
$900M in Grants for Families, Businesses Impacted by COVID-19, Unrest: Pritzker
Funding will be used to support communities and businesses disproportionately impacted by the coronavirus and the unrest following the death of George Floyd while in Minneapolis police custody, Gov. J.B. Pritzker said.
Looking to Volunteer? Or Need Help? Website Links Volunteers with Opportunities
CoronaConnects.org seeks to match people across the country with coronavirus-related volunteer opportunities based on interest, location, availability and time commitment.
Attorney General Kwame Raoul Tests Positive for COVID-19
The Illinois attorney general says he began self-isolating after experiencing minor symptoms over the weekend. He is the most prominent politician in the state to test positive for the novel coronavirus.
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