The warning comes as a latest COVID surge has moved Chicago and lots of surrounding counties into the CDC’s excessive neighborhood transmission degree. Nonetheless, returning to a masks mandate appears a great distance off.

Heading into the Memorial Day weekend, with many individuals planning to collect with household and buddies, Chicago Commissioner of Public Well being Dr. Allison Arwady urged folks to put on masks when indoors with town within the excessive danger class.

“We ask all people for this brief time interval whereas we’re in excessive put that masks on particularly in case you are in an indoor crowded setting,” Dr. Arwady mentioned.

WATCH | Dr. Arwady on what it means when Chicago strikes to ‘excessive’ COVID danger

Chicago’s not alone. Within the Chicago space, Prepare dinner, DuPage, Lake (IL), McHenry, Will and Grundy counties all appeared as “excessive danger” on the CDC’s map when it was up to date Thursday afternoon.

Regardless of the advice to put on masks, it’s not a requirement for now.

“I’ll put on my masks inside, it is in all probability the fitting factor to do,” Michael Pattis mentioned.

What does is imply to be at excessive COVID degree?

“It is exhausting to breathe, plus it needs to be your option to put on one or not,” Raymond Rodgers mentioned. “I am not going to do it.”

In Chicago, in comparison with the beginning of the pandemic when 50 to 60 folks a day had been dying, the present common is lower than one per day.

Regardless of a rise in hospitalization numbers, they’re nonetheless a fraction of what they had been. throughout the Omicron peak just a few months in the past…

At Edward-Elmhurst Well being, COVID-related hospitalizations have greater than *doubled previously 5 weeks.

However in comparison with different surges, fewer sufferers are critically unwell.

“Due to vaccinations and the safety they’ve and due to anti-viral therapies, we’re not seeing extreme sickness result in dying or ICU care as a lot,” Dr. Jonathan Pinsky, Medical Director of An infection Management at Edward Elmhurst Well being, mentioned.

To maintain it beneath management, Arwady mentioned extra Chicagoans must get boosted. The speed has remained low for months, with solely 42% of eligible residents having obtained a booster shot.

As well as, Arwady mentioned residents ought to keep away from crowded indoor gatherings, restrict gatherings to small numbers and check immediately when you’ve got signs.

Anybody who assessments constructive is requested to isolate for 5 days and if they’re feeling higher, they will go in public whereas carrying a masks for the following 5 days.