Some schools in the Chicago area are reporting an increase in the number of positive COVID-19 cases as many resume personal learning, but what’s behind the spike?
Plus, what do you need to know about your second dose for many now scheduling two-dose vaccination appointments?
Here are the latest updates on today’s Illinois coronavirus pandemic:
Coronavirus in Illinois: 2,765 new COVID cases, 28 deaths, 140,000 vaccinations
Health officials in Illinois reported 2,765 new confirmed and probable cases of coronavirus and 28 additional deaths in the past day, along with more than 140,000 vaccinations administered.
The newly reported coronavirus cases on Wednesday bring the state total to 1,309,552 cases since the start of the pandemic. The 28 additional deaths increased the total death toll to 21,722, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health.
In the past 24 hours, 81,133 coronavirus test samples have been returned to state laboratories, of which more than 21.9 million have now been performed during the pandemic.
Read more here.
More than 700 Naperville students were quarantined last week, data is displayed
More than 700 students in a Naperville school district were quarantined last week, data from the district showed Wednesday.
According to the Naperville Community Unit School District 203 COVID dashboard, 707 students – including 424 high school students, 87 high school students and 196 elementary school children – were quarantined along with two staff members on the week of April 12.
The school noted that reasons for quarantine may include close contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19 at school or outside of school, having a family member who is close contact, quarantining due to travel guidelines or because a family chooses to do so not to send a student to school.
Read more here.
Cook County offers walk-ins in Tinley Park, Matteson Mass Vaccination Sites
Cook County now offers walk-in availability for COVID vaccines at its Tinley Park and Matteson sites as part of a new pilot program aimed at combating a “plateau in demand,” the county health department announced Wednesday.
Anyone interested in getting a vaccine and not yet having an appointment can register on-site Wednesday through Saturday at the two mass vaccination sites, the department said.
The locations are open Wednesday through Saturday from 8:30 am to 5:30 pm for walk-ins and those with appointments.
Details here.
COVID-19 Cases at Suburban Chicago School are quarantining 147 students
Health officials are seeing a rise in the number of positive COVID-19 cases as Chicago high schools resume personal learning, but the origins of the cases vary by school.
According to school officials, there are currently 12 active cases at John Hersey High School in Arlington Heights. They said 147 students are in quarantine.
“Anyone who has reported positive infections has told us that they were with groups of children without masks in basements or at eateries, such as a sandwich shop or similar,” said director Gordie Sisson.
Indiana is reaching a higher level of risk on the Chicago travel order, but it is not yet on the list
Indiana will soon be labeled as a higher-risk state on Chicago’s travel order, requiring a pre-arrival quarantine or negative test for unvaccinated travelers, if the state’s incidence of cases is not declining rapidly.
The Chicago health department noted that Indiana crosses the threshold to go to the ‘orange layer’ of the travel order, but remains in the ‘yellow layer’ for another cycle because it is close to the boundary and cases are heading in the right direction. “
“If the Indiana case numbers don’t fall below the threshold, they will be added to the orange layer within two weeks,” said Chicago’s Department of Public Health.
Oswego East HS moves to full distance learning after at least 15 confirmed COVID cases
More than a dozen COVID-19 cases have been reported in a suburban high school, with more than 300 students currently banned from in-person attendance because of those reported cases.
According to Oswego East High School officials, a total of 15 positive cases have been reported among the students at the school. As a result of those tests, more than 300 students will be banned from personal learning, and as a result, the school will transition to full distance learning from April 22 to May 1.
Read more here.
Time Between COVID Vaccines: Do You Need Both? What you need to know about your second admission
Many who previously had one-time Johnson & Johnson COVID vaccine appointments are now getting the Pfizer or Moderna two-dose vaccines, leading to many questions about second doses.
How much time do you have to wait between the first and second vaccination dose? What are the side effects and when are you likely to experience them? When were you fully vaccinated?
Here’s an overview of what you need to know.
Coronavirus in Illinois: 2,587 New COVID Cases, 9 Deaths, 81K Vaccinations
Illinois health officials reported 2,587 new confirmed and probable cases of coronavirus and nine additional deaths last day, along with nearly 82,000 vaccinations administered.
The newly reported coronavirus cases on Tuesday bring the state total to 1,306,787 cases since the start of the pandemic. The nine additional deaths increased the total death toll to 21,694, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health.
In the past 24 hours, 47,506 coronavirus test samples have been returned to state laboratories, of which more than 21.7 million have now been performed during the pandemic.
Read more here.
Lori Lightfoot is expecting fans for Bulls, Blackhawks by the end of the season
During a press conference Tuesday morning, Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot expressed optimism that fans of each team will return to the United Center for Bulls and Blackhawks games by the end of the 2020-21 seasons.
“We talk to both the Bulls and the Blackhawks. I think they have very solid plans, ”said Lightfoot. “But those plans were rolled out at a time when we were on the rise. As Dr. (Allison Arwady) said and the numbers confirm, we feel like we are reaching a plateau and even – dare to dream – crashing down. .
“Going down is the right time to have that conversation, so we’ll continue with that. And I expect there will be fans in the United Center before the end of the season.”
Read more here.
Chicago Travel Order: 26 States Now Higher Risk, Testing Requirements Change
Chicago on Tuesday updated its emergency travel order, which details where states currently stand and sets out guidelines on whether travelers should quarantine or test negative for COVID-19 before arriving in the city.
The order now includes 26 states, as well as Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia under an “orange coat,” requiring a quarantine test or a negative pre-arrival test before coming to Chicago. The lower “yellow level” includes 23. In which low states does the number of cases fall, corrected for the population.
Also, starting this week, those traveling from an orange list and not getting a test before arriving in Chicago will be able to use an airport test site or other test site upon arrival, officials said, adding that those being tested on arrival still need to in quarantine until they get a negative result.
Full updated list here.
Navy Pier Announces Phased Reopening, Celebration Fireworks
Following its temporary closure since Labor Day, Navy Pier will begin its phased reopening in late April, representatives of the iconic Chicago attraction announced.
The first phase, starting April 30, will restore public access to the following: Navy Pier car parks, Polk Bros Park, Peoples Energy Welcome Pavilion, the pier’s north and south docks, Pier Park, selected rides and attractions, East End Plaza, tour boats and cruises, the new Sable hotel and select restaurants with limited capacity.
To celebrate the reopening, Navy Pier hosts a 10-minute fireworks display every Saturday in May at 9:00 PM. Guests are allowed to view the exhibits from the open spaces of Navy Pier.
More details here.
Pfizer vs Moderna Vaccines: Side Effects, Efficacy, and More
As many Johnson & Johnson vaccination appointments shift to doses of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines in the wake of a recommended break in Illinois and Chicago, what can those who once anticipated the one-time vaccine expect now?
While the J&J vaccine pause is likely only temporary, both the city and the state have already switched many vaccination clinics and events to one of the remaining vaccines available.
Dr. Anthony Fauci, chief medical adviser to the White House, said on Sunday that he believes the US will likely resume use of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine as early as this week, although there could be a warning or restriction.
Here’s an overview of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, their possible side effects, and how effective they are thought to be.