Some schools in the Chicago area report an increase in positive COVID-19 cases, as many resume in-person learning, but what is behind the rise?
Also, for many now scheduling two-dose vaccine appointments, what do you need to know about your second dose?
The following are the latest updates on the current coronavirus pandemic in Illinois:
Coronavirus in Illinois: 2,765 new cases of COVID, 28 deaths, 140,000 vaccinations
Illinois health officials reported 2,765 new confirmed and probable cases of coronavirus and 28 additional deaths in the last day, along with more than 140,000 vaccines administered.
New coronavirus cases reported Wednesday bring the state total to 1,309,552 cases since the pandemic began. The additional 28 deaths raised the total number of deaths to 21,722, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health.
In the last 24 hours, 81,133 coronavirus testing samples were returned to state laboratories, with more than 21.9 million now performed during the pandemic.
Read more here.
More than 700 Naperville students were quarantined last week, data show
More than 700 students from a Naperville school district were quarantined last week, according to district data.
According to the Naperville Community Unit 203 School District COVID board, 707 students, including 424 high school students, 87 high school students and 196 elementary school children, along with two staff members were in quarantine the week of May 12. April.
The school noted that the grounds for quarantine may include being in close contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19 in or out of school, having a household member close contact, putting in quarantine because of travel guidelines or because a family chooses not to send a student to school.
Read more here.
Cook County offers tours to Tinley Park, Matteson’s massive vaccination sites
Cook County is now offering COVID vaccine availability at its Tinley Park and Matteson sites as part of a new pilot program aimed at combating a “demand plateau,” the county health department announced Wednesday.
Anyone interested in getting a vaccine who doesn’t have an appointment will be able to register Wednesday through Saturday at both mass vaccination sites, the department said.
Sites will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Wednesday through Saturday, for visitors and those by appointment.
Details here.
COVID-19 cases in the Chicago suburban school send 147 students into quarantine
Health officials are seeing an increase in positive COVID-19 cases as high schools in the Chicago area resume face-to-face learning, but the origin of the cases varies by school.
There are currently 12 active cases at John Hersey High School in Arlington Heights, according to school officials. They said 147 students are in quarantine.
“Everyone who has reported positive infections has told us that he was with groups of children without masks in the basements or in the dining rooms, like a sandwich shop or something,” said director Gordie Sisson.
Indiana achieves a higher level of risk in the Chicago travel order, but is not yet listed
Indiana will soon be labeled as a high-risk state in the Chicago travel order, which requires a quarantine test or a negative test before arrival for unvaccinated travelers, if the state case rate it does not decrease soon.
The Chicago Department of Health noted that Indiana is above the threshold to move to the “orange level” of the travel order, but will remain at the “yellow level” for another cycle because it is close to the limit and cases they are tending in the right direction. “
“If Indiana’s case numbers don’t fall below the threshold, they will be added to the orange level in two weeks,” the Chicago Department of Public Health said.
Oswego East HS goes to totally remote learning after at least 15 confirmed COVID cases
More than a dozen cases of COVID-19 have been reported in a suburban high school, with more than 300 students currently excluded from face-to-face attendance because of these reported cases.
According to East Oswego High School officials, a total of 15 positive cases have been reported among the school’s students. More than 300 students will be excluded from face-to-face learning as a result of these tests and, as a result, the school will move to fully remote 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 photo
Many who previously had single vaccine appointments against Johnson & Johnson COVID now receive the Pfizer or Modern two-shot vaccines, raising many questions about the second doses.
How long should you wait between the first and second dose of vaccine? What are the side effects and when are you likely to experience them? When is it completely vaccinated?
Here’s a look at what you need to know.
Coronavirus in Illinois: 2,587 new cases of COVID, 9 deaths, 81 billion vaccines
Illinois health officials reported 2,587 new confirmed and probable cases of coronavirus and nine additional deaths in the last day, along with nearly 82,000 vaccines administered.
New coronavirus cases reported on Tuesday bring the state total to 1,306,787 cases since the pandemic began. The additional nine deaths raised the total death toll to 21,694, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health.
In the last 24 hours, 47,506 coronavirus testing samples were returned to state laboratories, with more than 21.7 million now performed during the pandemic.
Read more here.
Lori Lightfoot expects fans of the bulls, the Blackhawks at the end of the season
At a news conference Tuesday morning, Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot expressed optimism that fans would return to the United Center for Bulls and Blackhawks games at the end of each team’s 2020-21 seasons.
“We’re talking to both the Bulls and the Blackhawks. I think they have very solid plans,” Lightfoot said. “But those plans unfolded at a time when we were growing upwards. As the doctor (Allison Arwady) said and the figures are getting, we think we could be landing and even daring to dream , – going down.
“Going down is the right time to hold this conversation, so we’ll continue with that. And I hope there are fans at the United Center before the end of the season.”
Read more here.
Travel order in Chicago: there are now 26 states with a higher risk, changes in testing requirements
Chicago on Tuesday updated its emergency travel order, detailing where states are currently located and determining guidelines on whether travelers should quarantine or test for negative COVID-19s before arriving in the city.
The order now includes 26 states, as well as Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia, under an “orange level,” which requires a quarantine test or a negative test prior to arrival before arriving in Chicago. The lower “yellow level” includes 23. In which level states they are depends on the adjusted case rate for the population.
Also, starting this week, those traveling from an orange list state and unable to take a test before arriving in Chicago can use an airport test site or another test site. on arrival, officials said, adding that those taking the test on arrival still have to be quarantined until they receive a negative result.
Full list updated here.
Navy Pier announces phase reopening and celebration fireworks
Following its temporary closure from Labor Day, Navy Pier will begin its gradual reopening in late April, representatives of the iconic Chicago attraction announced.
The initial phase, which begins April 30, restores public access to the following: garages at Navy Pier, Polk Bros Park, Peoples Energy Welcome Pavilion, north and south docks of Pier, Pier Park, select attractions and attractions , East End Plaza, boat trips and cruises, the new Sable Hotel and select restaurants with limited capacity.
As a celebration of the reopening, Navy Pier will host a 10-minute fireworks show every Saturday in May at 9 p.m. Guests will be able to view the exhibits from the open spaces of Navy Pier.
More details here.
Vaccines Pfizer Vs. Modern: side effects, effectiveness and more
As many Johnson & Johnson vaccine appointments shift to doses of Pfizer or Modern vaccines after a recommended break in Illinois and Chicago, what can those who were previously anticipating the single vaccine expect?
While the pause in the J&J vaccine is likely to be only temporary, both the city and the state have already switched many vaccination clinics and events to one of the available vaccines.
Anthony Fauci, the White House’s chief medical adviser, said Sunday that he believes the U.S. is likely to resume use of Johnson & Johnson’s COVID-19 vaccine as early as this week, although it could come with a warning or restriction.
Below are the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, their potential side effects, and the effectiveness they are believed to be.