Will Illinois Go Into Lockdown Again

A fence over remote learning has left classes at Chicago Public Schools for a second straight day as both the canton and state reach grim milestones in the pandemic.

Illinois once again set new records in both COVID cases and hospitalizations and Melt Canton is deploying trailers to area hospitals "to help decompress their morgues if necessary."

Here's what you need to know nigh the coronavirus pandemic beyond Illinois today:

Here's Who Will Exist Eligible for New COVID Antiviral Pills in Illinois

Ii newly-authorized antiviral pills for treating COVID-nineteen will be "in the coming weeks" in Illinois, health officials announced Th.

The pills Paxlovid and Molnupiravir will be bachelor by prescription only "for those with mild-to-moderate COVID-19 who are at high risk for becoming severely ill, including hospitalization or death," according to the Illinois Department of Public Health.

Read more than here.

CPS Cancels Classes for Friday Amid Continuing Stalemate With CTU Over COVID Protocols

Chicago Public Schools will cancel classes district-broad for a third consecutive day on Friday as a standoff continues over whether to return to remote learning during a surge in COVID cases acquired past the omicron variant.

CPS officials had said that they were hoping to allow some schools to return to in-person educational activity on Friday, but instead, classes volition remain canceled for all students, according to a letter sent to parents.

"Our schools are the best, safest place for students to exist during this pandemic, and we are working tirelessly to become everyone dorsum in course every solar day," CPS said in a statement.

Officials said that parents should not programme to transport their children to school, but said that a small number of schools may offering in-person activities if enough staff members report to piece of work. Those schools will alarm parents to such offerings on a example-by-instance ground, officials said.

Read more here.

Evanston Teen's Website Helps Simplify Searches for At-Domicile COVID Tests

An Evanston teenager who created a website to help residents book COVID vaccine appointments now has a new mission, creating a site that will assist residents find at-dwelling coronavirus tests at a fourth dimension when the kits have become more hard to locate.

Eli Coustan, a 14-yr-old whose vaccine date website helped countless individuals book their shots, says that his COVID test finder came nearly considering of the difficulty his family was having in finding tests prior to a gathering.

"It was hard to find these when nosotros wanted to have a gathering with my aunt," he said. "A few days later on, I was thinking 'is in that location a way for me to create a website that lists where you can get COVID tests shipped to your home,' and then I created it."

The website,FindaCOVIDTest.org, allows users to select what brand of test they want, and allows them to choose which store they would similar to order information technology from. The site then scours the internet for results.

Read more here.

Illinois Sets Another New Case Record as Hospitalizations Climb Again

For the 4th fourth dimension in eight days, the state of Illinois set another new unmarried-24-hour interval tape for COVID cases, with more than 44,000 residents testing positive for the virus over the last 24 hours.

According to the Illinois Department of Public Wellness, the land recorded 44,089 new cases of the virus on Th, marking the kickoff time that officials have reported more than 35,000 cases in a single mean solar day.

Over the final seven days, the state has averaged 27,141 new COVID cases per day, a 48% increment over the previous calendar week'southward averages, co-ordinate to IDPH data.

Read more here.

New COVID Antiviral Pills to Be Available in Illinois Later This Month

Two newly-authorized antiviral pills for treating COVID-19 volition soon exist bachelor in Illinois, health officials announced.

The Illinois Department of Public Wellness said Thursday that pills from both Pfizer and Merck will be bachelor "in the coming weeks."

The pills, known every bit Paxlovid and Molnupiravir, will be available past prescription only "for those with mild-to-moderate COVID-19 who are at high risk for becoming severely ill, including hospitalization or death," the section said.

While IDPH did not give a specific date for when the pills will exist available in Illinois, the department said it is working with pharmacies statewide, including Walgreens and Walmart to carry the antivirals. A consummate listing of locations is expected to be released in the coming weeks.

But the pills can't exist given to anybody with a positive test.

Read more here.

Omicron Symptoms: Here's What to Scout For After COVID Exposure

Not sure if your symptoms are COVID-related?

Whether you were exposed or just aren't feeling well, experts say to assume that those who believe they might accept a cold could accept coronavirus. Just what symptoms should y'all specifically be watching for?

It's a question many are request as omicron cases surge into the new twelvemonth following holiday gatherings and as the Centers for Illness Control and Prevention update their quarantine and isolation guidelines.

Here's what we know so far.

Could Omicron Height be Coming? Here's What Experts Are Watching For

As omicron COVID cases proceed to surge, with many states beyond the country reporting record instance levels, when could the variant reach its peak?

Chicago's summit doctor offered her predictions based on information from around the globe Tuesday, but said, in brusk, "we don't know when omicron is going to acme." There are some signs experts are watching for, however.

Read more here.

Bears Add Justin Fields to COVID-19 List

The Bears placed Justin Fields on the reserve/COVID-19 list on Thursday, putting his ability to starting time the final game of the season against the Vikings in jeopardy.

Fields hasn't played since Week fifteen, since he was dealing with an ankle injury that he sustained the last time the Bears played the Vikings. The team hoped Fields could return to action this Sunday to give him an opportunity to end his rookie season on a high note.

There's yet a take a chance Fields tin be cleared to play by Sunday.

Read more here.

IDPH Follows CDC Recommendation, Urges Boosters for Kids Ages 12-fifteen

The Illinois Department of Public Health on Thursday announced it would adopt the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention'southward latest recommendation that children 12 to 15 years old get a booster dose five months afterward receiving their 2d dose.

"Nosotros know that COVID-19 vaccine booster doses can help provide ongoing protection against the Omicron variant," IDPH Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike said in a argument. "Following the CDC's recommendation, booster doses are encouraged for those aged 12-15 years who received their second dose of Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine five months ago."

Chicago's health department followed suit Th.

With children as young equally 12 now eligible for the added dose, what do we know about booster shot efficacy, safety and more, particularly surrounding the omicron variant?

Here'southward what we know so far.

Chicago Public Schools, Teachers Remain at Odds as Classes Canceled Thursday

The contend between Chicago Public Schools and the teachers' wedlock took a pregnant footstep forwards on Tuesday equally educators voted to switch to remote learning, and classes will be canceled for a second consecutive mean solar day on Th as negotiations go along.

After the CTU vote on Tuesday, CPS announced that classes would be canceled Midweek, and they will remain out for Th later on consultation with principals in the district.

"We have no choice but to cancel classes," CPS CEO Pedro Martinez said. "We've already sent another notice to families. As I had conversations with our principals and said 'what is the best path frontwards,' they came back to me and said, 'CEO, we got to go on to be the champions, and to abet for in-person instruction.'"

The determination comes equally school officials and teachers go along to spar over COVID safety bug that have been the center of a heated debate for months.

While Mayor Lori Lightfoot called the teachers' vote to return to remote learning an "illegal piece of work stoppage," union officials described it as a necessary step to proceed teachers and students condom, with the marriage's membership feeling unsafe with going dorsum into buildings during a surge in COVID cases.

"Right now, going into schools puts us at adventure, puts our students and family at run a risk of contracting the coronavirus," matrimony President Jesse Sharkey said. "That'southward the simple truth of the matter."

During a virtual news conference Wednesday, Sharkey suggested that more testing could become his membership back in the classroom more quickly, and pointed to a similar program in Los Angeles schools as a model.

Illinois Sets New Records for COVID Cases, Hospitalizations as Omicron Surge Continues

Illinois gear up new records in both COVID cases and hospitalizations on Wednesday, with more than 32,000 new cases of the virus and nearly 7,000 COVID-positive individuals now hospitalized across the land.

Co-ordinate to the newest numbers from the Illinois Department of Public Health, the state reported 32,279 confirmed and likely cases of the virus Wed, setting a new record for single-twenty-four hours COVID cases.

After never reporting more than 21,000 COVID cases in a single-twenty-four hour period, the land has now reported more than 30,000 on three split up occasions in the concluding seven days, according to IDPH data, representing a dramatic surge in new COVID cases.

Illinois health officials also reported another new record-high in terms of hospitalizations on Wednesday, with 6,842 patients now being hospitalized after contracting the virus.

The IDPH database reminds residents that the hospitalization numbers only include patients that currently take been diagnosed with COVID, not patients that are hospitalized specifically because of the virus.

Of those patients, one,135 are currently in intensive intendance unit beds, the most the country has reported since December. 8, 2020.

Pritzker to Piece of work Remotely After Close Contact With Employee Who Tested Positive for COVID

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker will work remotely in coming days afterwards coming into close contact with a state employee who later tested positive for coronavirus, his office said Midweek.

According to a press release, the close contact occurred Tuesday. Pritzker plans to take meetings near through at least Sunday afterward the contact, officials said.

The governor tested negative for COVID-xix on Wednesday morning, and is continuing to monitor for whatsoever symptoms, officials said. The governor has received both doses of the COVID vaccine and his booster shot.

"With the omicron variant spreading across the land, the governor is taking extra precautions to foreclose the spread of the virus," the printing release said.

'Grim Milestone': Cook Canton Records 13K COVID Deaths; 1K Reported in Last six Weeks

Cook County has recorded its 13,000th coronavirus death, officials said Wednesday, calling it a "grim milestone" that comes as trailers are once once again being deployed to hospitals.

Officials, citing information from the Melt Canton Medical Examiner'southward role, noted that 1,000 deaths were recorded in the last six weeks alone. Previously, information technology took more than iii months for the county to grow from 11,000 deaths to 12,000.

In response, the county's Department of Emergency Direction and Regional Security has started again deploying trailers to expanse hospitals "to assistance decompress their morgues if necessary."

Read more here.

Pritzker to Work Remotely After Close Contact With Employee Who Tested Positive for COVID

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker will work remotely in coming days later coming into close contact with a state employee who later tested positive for coronavirus, his office said Midweek.

According to a press release, the shut contact occurred Tuesday. Pritzker plans to take meetings well-nigh through at least Sunday afterwards the contact, officials said.

The governor tested negative for COVID-19 on Wednesday morning, and is standing to monitor for any symptoms, officials said. The governor has received both doses of the COVID vaccine and his booster shot.

"With the omicron variant spreading beyond the state, the governor is taking actress precautions to forestall the spread of the virus," the press release said.

Read more here.

Omicron and Quarantine or Isolation: Do Y'all Need to Test Out? The Latest Guidance

If you exam positive for COVID and isolate, do y'all demand to take another test before you tin run across people once again? What if you were exposed simply accept no symptoms?

It's a question many are asking as omicron cases surge into the new year's day following holiday gatherings and as the Centers for Disease Command and Prevention update their quarantine and isolation guidelines.

Here's what we know and then far.

FDA Issues Guidance Amid Pharynx Swab Debate: 'Tests Should Be Used as Authorized'

With many patients reporting sore throats in omicron COVID cases, a argue over whether or non to add throat swabs to testing methods has sparked, simply the U.S. Nutrient and Drug Administration has cautioned that such advice could be dangerous in some cases.

Federal guidance has not inverse on how to test for COVID, and all exam kits have specific FDA-canonical instructions on how they should be used, but some medical professionals are debating whether adding a throat swab, in addition to nasal swabbing, could lead to more accurate test results.

The FDA noted prophylactic concerns with such advice, particularly for calm tests.

"The FDA advises that COVID-19 tests should be used every bit authorized, including following their instructions for use regarding obtaining the sample for testing," the agency said in a argument provided to NBC 5 Wednesday.

Read more hither.

Chicago Travel Advisory Updated to Include Every US State, Territory

With the new year now underway, Chicago updated its travel advisory overnight to include every U.S. country and territory, prompting city wellness officials to urge anyone looking to travel right now to reconsider their plans.

Last week, Montana and Guam remained the only locations non on the urban center's alert list.

"COVID is very real, it's merciless, and unless you are fully vaccinated, your defenses against it are pretty depression," Chicago Section of Public Health Commissioner Dr. Allison Arwady said in a statement. "Yous can only fully fight this virus if you're vaccinated. The evidence is overwhelming – if you are fully vaccinated and you do get COVID-xix, there'south very little chance you will get and so ill that you require hospitalization. Your chances aren't nearly every bit good if yous remain unvaccinated. Unvaccinated and vaccinated travelers akin should consider if their travel plans are necessary at this time."

Read more here.

A couple of factors are at play, starting with the emergence of the highly contagious omicron variant. Omicron is more than likely to infect people, fifty-fifty if information technology doesn't make them very sick, and its surge coincided with the holiday travel season in many places.

Omicron Variant Causing Unique Complications In Children, Pediatricians Say

Pediatricians are seeing a unique trend in children contracting the omicron variant of COVID-19, saying it could be backside a recent fasten in hospital visits as young kids suffer complications from the variant.

Dr. Latania Logan, Chief of Pediatric Infectious Diseases at RUSH University Medical Center, says narrow airways in children under five years of age make it easier for germs to sit where the omicron variant replicates.

This can pb to other infections like bronchiolitis, and can lead to other respiratory problems.

Read more here.

How Long Subsequently COVID Exposure Could You Test Positive?

How long could information technology have for someone to exam positive for COVID following an exposure to someone who had the virus?

It's a question many are request following holiday gatherings amid surging omicron variant cases.

Testing demand continues to soar as the new yr gets underway and some experts say the omicron variant has "sped up" timing for what many have come to know with COVID.

Hither's what we know so far.

When Could Omicron Symptoms Get-go Afterward COVID Exposure?

The omicron variant has changed some of what many came to know most the coronavirus and how it spreads, merely now with new guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, some are wondering when they are nearly contagious and for how long after contracting the virus?

As cases of the coronavirus surge with the new omicron variant continuing to spread following the holidays, your chances of being exposed to someone with the virus have likely increased. But when might symptoms first announced following a potential exposure?

Some experts say the omicron variant has "sped up" timing for what many have come to know with COVID, including the incubation period, or the time between exposure and the start of symptoms.

"As nosotros've seen these new variants develop - delta, now omicron - what we're seeing is everything gets sped up from a COVID perspective," Chicago Department of Public Health Commissioner Dr. Allison Arwady said Th. "It is taking less time from when someone is exposed to COVID to potentially develop infection. It is taking less time to develop symptoms, information technology is taking less fourth dimension that someone may be infectious and it is, for many people, taking less time to recover. A lot of that is because many more people are vaccinated."

Here's what we know so far.

When is the All-time Fourth dimension to Get Tested Later on COVID Exposure?

Testing demand continues to soar as the new year gets underway, but as many navigate new guidelines post-obit holiday gatherings, when is the best time to get tested for COVID if you've been exposed?

Some experts say the omicron variant has "sped upwards" timing for what many have come up to know with COVID.

Here's what we know so far.

Sore Throat? Runny Nose? The Common Omicron Symptoms to Know Most

Breakthrough infections of the coronavirus are increasing in Chicago and Illinois, but health experts say it's likely that the symptoms y'all experience will depend on the vaccine.

Chicago Department of Public Health Commissioner Dr. Allison Arwady, the city'due south tiptop doc, said the omicron variant isn't necessarily bringing with it a new set of symptoms, but with vaccines at present widely available, many are experiencing milder cases, depending on their vaccination status.

"The symptoms that we're seeing are non different with omicron than they were with delta, than they were with the original. It's just that we are seeing more than what we phone call breakthrough infections," Arwady said Wed. "And so the vaccines continue to protect, only not as well against infection, although they continue to protect beautifully against severe disease."

Read more here.

pattonened1998.blogspot.com

Source: https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/coronavirus/illinois-coronavirus-updates-omicron-quarantine-guidelines-grim-milestone/2722468/

Share this post