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.
Stories by kristen thometz
State Health Officials Urge Businesses to Comply with Public Health Measures
New statewide COVID-19 totals: 145,750 cases, 7,005 deaths
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.
UIC Clinical Trial Will Test COVID-19 Vaccine
Next month, the University of Illinois at Chicago will begin testing a vaccine to see if it will prevent people from getting the novel coronavirus or experiencing severe illness from it if they do get it.
GoFundMe Campaign Started to Support Double Lung Transplant Recipient
Kate Ramirez is asking for prayers and donations as her 28-year-old sister, Mayra, recovers from a double lung transplant she received earlier this month as a result of complications from COVID-19.
UIC Study Analyzes How COVID-19 Has Changed Travel Behavior, Lifestyles
As Illinois businesses and schools closed to slow the spread of the coronavirus, daily routines changed. How much of an impact will COVID-19 have on people’s future behaviors?
Cook County Receives $41M from State for COVID-19 Contact Tracing
The Cook County Department of Public Health will scale up its COVID-19 contact tracing program within the next six months, thanks to a $41 million grant from the Illinois Department of Public Health.
Northwestern Surgeons Perform Double Lung Transplant on COVID-19 Patient
After six weeks on a ventilator and life-support machine, a 20-year-old woman whose lungs were damaged by COVID-19 received what is believed to be among the first double lung transplants performed on a survivor of the virus.
Pritzker Says Illinois on Track to Move to Phase 4, Won’t Lift Restrictions Early
New statewide totals: 129,837 cases, 6,095 deaths
A group of Republican lawmakers are calling on Gov. J.B. Pritzker to lift additional restrictions aimed at curbing the spread of the coronavirus by Friday — weeks ahead of the timeline outlined in the governor’s reopening plan for Illinois.
$270M of Illinois’ Federal Coronavirus Funding to Help Child Care Providers
While schools and nonessential businesses temporarily closed in March, hundreds of child care centers stayed open to care for the children of essential workers. The state is now dedicating millions of dollars toward their financial health.
City Cancels Summer Festivals Through Labor Day
This year’s summer festival season will look a little different, with large outdoor festivals canceled or moved online, including Lollapalooza.
More than 1 Million COVID-19 Tests Performed in Illinois
New statewide totals: 125,915 cases, 5,795 deaths
Gov. J.B. Pritzker said the milestone was the result of the “incredible work of so many people behind the scenes.”
Northwestern Study of Pregnant Women with COVID-19 Finds Placenta Injuries
The placenta provides nutrients and oxygen to a developing fetus, among other things. In a small study, researchers found the placentas from pregnant women with COVID-19 showed signs of injury.
Pritzker Signs Legislation Permitting Sale of To-Go Cocktails
Next time you order takeout food, you can pair it with a premade to-go cocktail, thanks to legislation signed by Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Tuesday.
