A Closer Look At Why COVID-19 Cases, Hospitalizations Are Rising For Illinois Kids

Some experts say it’s too early to tell how much of the rise in cases is related to in-person learning, increased testing or more spread.

By Stephanie Kim
A Closer Look At Why COVID-19 Cases, Hospitalizations Are Rising For Illinois Kids
Students board a Chicago Public Schools bus in September 2019. As of Sept. 8, 2021, Chicago reported that 117 schools in the district had at least one COVID-19 case. Manuel Martinez / WBEZ
A Closer Look At Why COVID-19 Cases, Hospitalizations Are Rising For Illinois Kids
Students board a Chicago Public Schools bus in September 2019. As of Sept. 8, 2021, Chicago reported that 117 schools in the district had at least one COVID-19 case. Manuel Martinez / WBEZ

A Closer Look At Why COVID-19 Cases, Hospitalizations Are Rising For Illinois Kids

Some experts say it’s too early to tell how much of the rise in cases is related to in-person learning, increased testing or more spread.

By Stephanie Kim
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Just weeks into the new school year, new federal and state data show COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations are rising for Illinois children. As of last week, the Illinois Department of Public Health traced 128 outbreaks to schools across the state.

Reset checks in with two reporters who dug into the data.

GUESTS: Joe Mahr, Chicago Tribune investigative reporter

Karen Ann Cullotta, Chicago Tribune reporter