Some schools in Chicago areas report an increase in positive COVID-19 cases as many people re-learn, but what’s behind the point?
What else do you need to know about your second dose for many who are now planning two-dose vaccine appointments?
Here are the latest updates on the coronavirus pandemic in Illinois today:
Coronavirus in Illinois: 2,765 new COVID cases, 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 vaccinations administered.
The recently reported coronavirus cases have brought the state to 1,309,552 cases since the pandemic began. According to the Illinois Department of Public Health, the 28 additional deaths increased the total death toll to 21,722.
In the past 24 hours, 81,133 coronavirus test samples were returned to government laboratories, with more than 21.9 million now being carried out during the pandemic.
Read more here.
More than 700 Naperville students quarantined last week, computer programs
More than 700 students in a Naperville school district were quarantined last week, district data showed Wednesday.
According to the COVID dashboard of Naperville Community Unit School District 203, 707 students – 424 high school students, 87 high school students and 196 elementary school children – and two staff members were quarantined the week of April 12th.
The school noted that the reasons for quarantine may be to be in close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 in school or out of school, to have a domestic member who has close contact in quarantine to sit because of travel guidelines or because a family chooses not to send a student to school.
Read more here.
Cook County offers boarding passes in Tinley Park, Matteson vaccination sites
Cook County is now offering access to 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’s health department announced on Wednesday.
Anyone interested in getting a vaccine who does not yet have an appointment will be allowed to register at the two vaccination rooms from Wednesday to Saturday, the department said.
The sites will be open for walk-ins and appointments from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Wednesday through Saturday.
Details here.
COVID-19 cases at Suburban Chicago School send 147 students to quarantine
Health officials are seeing an increase in positive COVID-19 cases as Chicago high schools re-learn in person, but the origin of the cases differs 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.
“Everyone who reported positive infections told us they were with groups of children without masks in basements or eateries, such as a sandwich shop or something,” said principal Gordie Sisson.
Indiana Reaches Higher Risk Level on Chicago’s Travel Booking, But It’s Not Listed Yet
Indiana will soon get a higher-risk status on Chicago’s travel order, requiring a negative test in quarantine or pre-arrival for travelers who have not been vaccinated, if the state’s case does not decline soon.
The Chicago Department of Health noted that Indiana is above the threshold to move to the “orange level” of the travel order, but that it will remain in the yellow level once again because it is close to the cut-off and business in the trending right direction. . “
“If the case numbers for Indiana do not fall below the threshold, it will be added to the orange level within two weeks,” the Chicago Department of Public Health said.
Oswego East HS to confirm at least 15 COVID cases
More than a dozen COVID-19 cases have been reported at a suburban high school, and more than 300 students are currently excluded from personal attendance due to the reported cases.
According to officials from Oswego East High School, a total of 15 positive cases were reported among the student body at the school. More than 300 students are excluded from personal learning as a result of these tests, and as a result, the school goes to overall learning from April 22 to May 1.
Read more here.
Time between COVID vaccinations, do you need both? What to know about your 2nd survey
Many who previously had one-off Johnson & Johnson COVID vaccine appointments now get the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, leading to many questions about 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 were you fully vaccinated?
Here’s a look at what you need to know.
Coronavirus in Illinois: 2,587 new COVID cases, 9 deaths, 81,000 vaccinations
Health officials in Illinois reported 2,587 new confirmed and probable cases of coronavirus and nine additional deaths in the last day, along with nearly 82,000 vaccinated.
The newly reported coronavirus cases on Tuesday totaled 1,306,787 cases since the pandemic began. According to the Illinois Department of Public Health, the nine additional deaths increased the total death toll to 21,694.
In the past 24 hours, 47,506 coronavirus test samples were returned to government laboratories, with more than 21.7 million now being carried out during the pandemic.
Read more here.
Lori Lightfoot Expect Fans for Bulls, Blackhawks vs. Season’s End
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot expressed optimism at a news conference on Tuesday morning that fans will return to the United Center for Bulls and Blackhawks games by the end of each team’s 2020-21 season.
“We’re talking to the Bulls and the Blackhawks. I think they have very good plans,” Lightfoot said. “But these plans were rolled out at a time when we were having a boom. As Dr. (Allison Arwady) has already said and the numbers are turning out, we feel we may be flat and even daring to go down.
“Going down is the right time to have that conversation, so we’ll continue with that. And I expect there to be fans in the United Center before the end of the season.”
Read more here.
Chicago travel booking: 26 countries are now at higher risk, test requirements change
Chicago updated its emergency travel order Tuesday, setting out where the states currently stand and setting guidelines on whether travelers should quarantine or test negative before COVID-19 before arriving in the city.
The order now contains 26 states as well as Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia below an ‘orange level’, which requires a negative test in quarantine or before arrival before arriving in Chicago. The lesser “yellow level” contains 23. In what level conditions does it fall depending on the rate adjusted for the population.
Those traveling from an orange list state and unable to get a test before arriving in Chicago could also use an airport test site or another test site upon arrival this week, officials said, adding that those who be tested on arrival. should still be in quarantine until they get a negative result.
Full updated list here.
Navy Pier announces phased reopening, celebratory fireworks
Following the temporary closure since Labor Day, Navy Pier will begin reopening in late April, representatives of the iconic Chicago attraction announced.
The initial phase, which begins on April 30, restores public access to the following: parking garages at Navy Pier, Polk Bros Park, Peoples Energy Welcome Pavilion, the pier’s North and South Docks, Pier Park, certain rides and attractions , East End Plaza, tour boats and cruises, the new Sable Hotel, and certain restaurants at limited capacity.
To celebrate the reopening, Navy Pier is hosting a ten-minute fireworks display every Saturday in May at 9pm. Guests are allowed to view the exhibits of the open spaces of Navy Pier.
More details here.
Pfizer vs. Modern vaccines: side effects, efficacy and more
Since many Johnson & Johnson vaccine appointments are shifting to doses of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines following a recommended break in Illinois and Chicago, what can those who previously expected the single-vaccine vaccine expect?
Although the interruption of the J&J vaccine is likely to be only temporary, the city and state have already switched many vaccination clinics and events to one of the available vaccinations.
White House chief medical adviser Anthony Fauci said Sunday he believes the U.S. is likely to resume use of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine as early as this week, although it may be accompanied by a warning or restriction.
Here’s an outline of the Pfizer and Modern vaccines, their potential side effects and how effective they are.