Connect with us

Chicago, IL

COVID Update: IL reports 1,592 new cases, 19 deaths as BA.2 becomes dominant strain in Chicago

Published

on

COVID Update: IL reports 1,592 new cases, 19 deaths as BA.2 becomes dominant strain in Chicago
CHICAGO (WLS) — Illinois reported 1,592 new COVID circumstances and 19 associated deaths Thursday because the BA.2 omicron subvariant has grow to be the dominant pressure in Chicago.

There have been no less than 3,068,237 whole COVID circumstances, together with no less than 33,377 associated deaths within the state because the pandemic started.

WATCH | Who ought to get a 2nd booster shot?

The seven-day statewide take a look at positivity fee is 1.7%.

Throughout the previous 24 hours, laboratories have reported testing 99,334 new specimens for a complete of 57,304,799 because the pandemic started.

Advertisement

SEE ALSO: Lengthy COVID signs plague victims, however new research may result in remedies and aid

As of Wednesday night time, 461 sufferers in Illinois have been reported to be within the hospital with COVID-19. Of these, 58 sufferers have been within the ICU, and 22 sufferers with COVID-19 have been on ventilators.

A complete of 21,354,847 vaccine doses have been administered in Illinois as of Wednesday , and 64.34% of the state’s inhabitants is totally vaccinated. The seven-day rolling common of vaccines administered day by day is 6,824.

RELATED | President Joe Biden receives 2nd COVID booster, presses Congress on virus funds

Whereas the BA.2 omicron sub variant is now the dominant pressure of the virus in Chicago, the town’s high physician says we’re not seeing a surge in circumstances.

Advertisement

Chicago Dept. of Public Well being Commissioner Dr. Allison Arwady stated it seems to be the primary time the U.S. isn’t following Europe with regards to case development.

The BA.2 sub variant doubles each seven days and is 30-50% extra contagious than its authentic pressure. Not like the omicron wave, the town isn’t seeing lengthy testing traces.

“We proceed to be at comparatively low danger and a great spot in Chicago,” Arwady stated, “and we’re watching intently for indicators of great concern.”

Whereas COVID case traits in america have adopted these in Europe, this time could also be totally different. Vaccinations and the massive quantity of people that have been contaminated with omicron are offering the inhabitants with safety.

“Quite a bit individuals are shielded from getting BA.2 due to these current antibodies of BA.1,” stated Hannah Barbian, a virologist and epidemiologist at Rush College Medical Heart.

Advertisement

However some surprise if testing is correct, since so many individuals are taking residence checks and never reporting circumstances to the well being division.

“All alongside, case rely is just one piece of what we monitor,” Arwady defined.

Arwady stated wastewater testing isn’t seeing a giant spike and neither are emergency rooms. Historically, Arwady stated ERs see main will increase earlier than surges.

Chicago’s high physician additionally stated she was inspired by what’s being seen in private and non-private faculties, the place masks turned optionally available a number of weeks in the past.

“Are we seeing some circumstances? We’re,” Arwady stated. “Are we seeing some clusters? Are we seeing any indicators that taking masks off have led to widespread improve of an infection? No.”

Advertisement

Whereas Arwady stated the numbers look good now, she stated the town is able to shift shortly if there’s a surge once more.

Whereas the danger is low, Arwady is encouraging anybody over 65 or over 50 with underlying circumstances to get a second booster.

Copyright © 2022 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.

Advertisement

Chicago, IL

2 women found dead in Englewood home after fire, Chicago fire officials say

Published

on

2 women found dead in Englewood home after fire, Chicago fire officials say
ByABC7 Chicago Digital Crew by way of

Wednesday, November 23, 2022 3:26AM

FILE photograph: View of the Chicago Hearth Division, the third largest municipal hearth division in america of America, within the Chinatown neighborhood on Sept. 24, 2014.

Shutterstock

CHICAGO (WLS) — Chicago hearth officers mentioned two ladies have been discovered lifeless in an Englewood house after a home hearth.

The fireplace broke out Tuesday night at a home within the 7200-block of South Wolcott, Chicago hearth officers mentioned.

Advertisement

The fireplace was struck out at about 9:10 p.m., CFD mentioned.

After the fireplace was out, firefighters discovered two grownup feminine victims lifeless within the wreckage.

It was not instantly clear if the ladies died within the hearth or earlier than the fireplace. No additional particulars have been launched.

The Chicago Hearth Division has not but commented on any potential causes for the fireplace or mentioned in the event that they consider it was suspicious.

Copyright © 2022 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.

Advertisement

Continue Reading

Chicago, IL

3 women united by Highland Park shooting now lobby for assault weapon ban

Published

on

3 women united by Highland Park shooting now lobby for assault weapon ban

HIGHLAND PARK, Ailing. (WLS) — Three ladies and their households had been good strangers up till the second tragedy introduced them collectively within the aftermath of Highland Park’s July 4th parade.

As Thanksgiving approaches, they’re united in goal and in gratitude for probably the most primary of all issues: life.

“I believed I used to be going to die,” Highland Park capturing survivor Liz Turnipseed mentioned. “That I used to be going to put there and I used to be going to bleed out and I used to be going to die.”

WATCH | Highland Park capturing survivor tells her story

“I used to be on the parade with my three grownup kids, my son-in-law and my 2-year-old grand child,” mentioned Debra Baum, with the Highland Park Gun Violence Mission. “Our complete household may have been worn out.”

Advertisement

“July third I had 70 folks at my home and the following day our life bought flipped the other way up,” capturing survivor Lindsay Hartman mentioned. “So I simply know for me, I am attempting to take pleasure in it and never spend an excessive amount of time previously.”

SEE ALSO | Highland Park parade capturing short-term memorial opens subsequent to metropolis corridor

For Lindsay, not spending an excessive amount of time previously means internet hosting Thanksgiving for 30. Liz, who was one of many almost 50 folks injured that day, nonetheless wants a cane to get round, so she’ll be catering the meal and having her complete household fly in. Debra shall be coming along with the identical household she was with on July 4.

“There are numerous households in Highland Park that do not have folks with them this Thanksgiving due to what occurred,” Baum mentioned. “It is a very weighty realization.”

However there’s additionally gratitude for random issues and other people, like for the proper strangers who took in Liz’s 3-year-old daughter for a few hours after she was shot. And the neighbor she’d by no means met earlier than who lent her a step stool for her mattress.

Advertisement

Turning ache into goal is what unites these ladies now as they foyer for an assault weapons ban in Congress. As a result of whereas life for them won’t ever be the identical, it does transfer on.

Copyright © 2022 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.

Continue Reading

Chicago, IL

Biden to extend student loan repayment freeze as relief program is tied up in courts

Published

on

Biden to extend student loan repayment freeze as relief program is tied up in courts

Tuesday, November 22, 2022 8:52PM

WASHINGTON D.C. — The Biden administration is but once more extending the pause on federal scholar mortgage funds, a profit that started in March 2020 to assist individuals who have been struggling financially because of the Covid-19 pandemic, a supply conversant in the plan mentioned.

The Division of Training will announce it’s extending the freeze one other six months with the primary funds due two months after June 30, the supply mentioned, until a Supreme Courtroom resolution on the president’s scholar mortgage aid program comes first.

The administration had beforehand mentioned the latest extension could be the final, and funds have been scheduled to restart in January.

Advertisement

However the administration had additionally meant for its scholar mortgage forgiveness program to start canceling as much as $20,000 in debt for low- and middle-income debtors earlier than January. This system has but to be carried out because it faces a number of authorized challenges.

This story is breaking and can be up to date.

Copyright © 2022 WABC-TV. All Rights Reserved.

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Trending