COVID cases spike at U of I. Masks are now ‘strongly recommended’ but not mandated in most settings on campus.The university recently announced that masks are “strongly recommended” in classrooms and during in-person class time. August 31, 2022
Illinois expecting 580,000 initial doses of updated COVID vaccine next weekChicago anticipates its own separate allocation of about 150,000 initial doses, according to the city health department. August 31, 2022
US clears updated COVID boosters targeting the newest variants — and shots could begin within daysThe U.S. authorized its first update to COVID-19 vaccines, booster doses that target today’s most common omicron strain. August 31, 2022
CPS dropped mask mandate without good-faith bargaining with Chicago Teachers Union: judge"The damage of the mayor and CPS’ bad faith and illegal behavior cannot be undone,” CTU said of their "cold comfort" victory. August 29, 2022
Moderna sues Pfizer and BioNTech over COVID-19 vaccine patents COVID-19 vaccine maker Moderna is suing Pfizer and the German drugmaker BioNTech, accusing its main competitors of copying Moderna’s technology in order to make their own vaccine. August 26, 2022
Arwady tests positive for COVID-19; Chicago’s top doctor has been public face of pandemic fight locallySecretary of State Jesse White also tested positive for the COVID-19 virus on Aug. 24, 2022, according to a statement from his office. August 25, 2022
Pfizer COVID shots appear 73% effective in children under 5Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine was 73% effective in protecting children younger than 5 as omicron spread in the spring, the company announced Tuesday. August 23, 2022
CPS students head back to class after a short summer as district aims for ‘recovery year’ The district faces many challenges, including continued COVID-19 cases, busing problems and large class sizes in some cases. August 22, 2022
After just 68 days of summer, Chicago Public Schools’ new year starts Monday. Here’s what you need to know.The new school year starts unusually early in CPS, which typically begins school the day after Labor Day. August 21, 2022
Jill Biden tests positive for COVID-19 and has ‘mild’ symptomsFirst lady Jill Biden tested positive for COVID-19 and was experiencing “mild symptoms,” the White House announced Tuesday. August 16, 2022
CDC drops COVID-19 quarantine for close contacts and 6-foot distancingThe CDC relaxed its COVID-19 guidelines, dropping the recommendation that Americans quarantine themselves if they come into close contact with an infected person. August 11, 2022
COVID-19 deaths fall overall by 9% and infections are stable, WHO saysThe number of coronavirus deaths fell by 9% in the last week while new cases remained relatively stable, according to the latest weekly pandemic report released by the World Health Organization. August 10, 2022
CPS outlines COVID-19 protocols for new school year, including expanding test-to-stay programVaccinated students won't have to isolate if they're exposed to COVID-19, but concerns remain about low shot rates among young kids in Chicago. August 09, 2022
Some Illinois school districts to ditch COVID-19 tests this fall: ‘The demand really wasn’t there’Some administrators say the weekly COVID-19 testing program is a burden on staff and disruptive for students. August 08, 2022
Joyce Foundation continues to meet the needs of communities during the pandemic with its Lend a Hand FundThe Joyce Foundation is continuing its rapid-response initiative to support BIPOC-led and BIPOC-serving community organizations helping Chicagoans hit hardest by COVID-19 with its Lend a Hand Fund. August 03, 2022
NorthShore agrees to pay $10.3 million settlement in COVID-19 vaccine lawsuit over religious exemptionsAs part of the settlement, NorthShore is agreeing to re-hire workers who were fired for refusing to get vaccinated for religious reasons. August 01, 2022
Schools ‘cautiously optimistic’ about new year, but COVID-19 worries linger. ‘Don’t forget about people with extreme circumstances.’For the first time since the pandemic began, Illinois students will enter a new school year with no virus-mitigation mandates in place. August 01, 2022
How long should I isolate after I test positive for COVID? UChicago’s Dr. Landon gives us a timeline.The CDC says you need to quarantine for five days after getting COVID, but what if you continue to test positive after that? Do you have to continue isolating or are you OK to be in public again? July 31, 2022
Biden tests positive for COVID-19, returns to isolationThe White House says President Joe Biden tested positive for COVID-19 again Saturday, slightly more than three days after he was cleared to exit coronavirus isolation. July 30, 2022
US rules out summer COVID boosters to focus on fall campaignU.S. regulators said they are no longer considering authorizing a second COVID-19 booster shot for all adults under 50 this summer, focusing instead on revamped vaccines for the fall that will target the newest viral subvariants. July 29, 2022