Nearly 19,000 more deaths in Cook County: The pandemic’s toll, two years in
An analysis shows Cook County has seen thousands of deaths beyond what would be expected and it’s not all from the virus.
COVID-19 in Chicago and Illinois
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The great mask debate continues on CPS’s first mask optional day
Monday was the first day Chicago Public School students were allowed to go without a mask in more than a year.
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After a grueling tenure, Dr. Ngozi Ezike steps down from her Illinois public health job
What started as a routine executive appointment changed into a monumental leadership opportunity with the arrival of COVID-19.
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Illinois’ top doctor Ngozi Ezike is being wooed to lead a Chicago health system
Sinai Chicago’s board has been authorized to negotiate an offer with Dr. Ezike, who helped lead Illinois through the pandemic and is leaving her job.
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Who might benefit from a 4th shot — and who might not
Some countries are moving ahead with plans to offer a fourth dose of COVID-19 vaccine. But studies are raising questions about the potential advantages of this extra booster.
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Chicago’s mask mandate in public spaces will end on Feb. 28
Mayor Lori Lightfoot announced COVID-related metrics are trending in the right direction and the city can drop its mask mandate next week.
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These COVID-19 treatments help patients avoid the hospital. Who’s getting them?
The Illinois Department of Public Health controls the state’s supply of virus therapeutics, but officials are not tracking how the coveted treatments are being dispersed.
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Gov. JB Pritzker will lift the state’s indoor mask mandate, but not in schools
Pritzker said the worst of the omicron variant has passed and with hospitalization numbers plummeting, masks no longer need to be worn.
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Many unvaccinated prison guards are avoiding discipline, despite Illinois mandate
Prison staff had until Jan. 31 to get their first vaccine shot. About a quarter of workers are still unvaccinated.
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Worshippers keep their faith as COVID changes services from in-person to online
With religious services going online, back in-person or even both at once, the way Chicagoans worship has been altered by the pandemic.
