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Illinois is expanding access to the COVID-19 vaccine to another group of essential workers on Monday, as the state moves closer to opening immunization eligibility to all adults next month.
Meanwhile, Chicago is entering the next phase of its vaccine rollout, Phase 1C, expanding eligibility for residents with underlying health conditions and an additional group of essential workers.
And Cook County Health said 25,000 appointments for the COVID-19 vaccine released on Sunday were stopped within two hours.
Here are the latest updates on the coronavirus pandemic in Illinois today:
Illinois COVID vaccine eligibility expands to more essential workers on Monday
Illinois is expanding access to the COVID-19 vaccine to another group of essential workers on Monday, as the state moves closer to opening immunization eligibility to all adults next month.
Food and beverage workers, construction workers and religious leaders will be eligible, according to guidelines from the Illinois Department of Public Health. On March 22, the state expanded eligibility to include higher education staff, government officials and the media.
Here’s a look at the full vaccine eligibility schedule:
| Dated | Eligible groups |
| December 15, 2020 | Healthcare workers, staff and residents of long-term care facilities |
| January 25, 2021 | Essential front-line workers (including first responders, K-12 teachers and other public-oriented industries) and residents 65 and over |
| February 25, 2021 | Residents with high-risk conditions or disabilities, aged 16 and over |
| March 22, 2021 | Higher education staff, civil servants and the media |
| March 29, 2021 | Restaurant staff, construction workers and religious leaders |
| April 12, 2021 | Any resident aged 16 and over |
Find out more here.
Chicago’s COVID vaccine eligibility: Phase 1C begins Monday
Chicago is entering the next phase of its vaccine rollout, Phase 1C, starting Monday, expanding eligibility for residents with underlying health conditions and an additional group of essential workers.
The expansion will allow workers in various fields to be vaccinated, including: restaurant workers, hotel workers, hairdressers, clergy, construction workers, delivery drivers and warehouse workers, among others.
Those already eligible for phases 1A and 1B will also remain eligible for 1C.
Find out more here.
Coronavirus in Illinois: 1,761 new cases of COVID, 5 deaths, 49K vaccinations
Illinois health officials on Monday reported 1,761 new cases of the coronavirus and five additional deaths, as well as more than 49,000 vaccinations in the past 24 hours.
According to figures from the Illinois Department of Public Health, the 1,761 new confirmed and probable COVID cases reported on the last day brought the state’s total to 1,239,589 cases since the start of the pandemic last year. The five new deaths brought the death toll in the state to 21,256 virus-related deaths, according to health officials.
According to health officials, the seven-day positivity rate on all tests is currently 3.3% while the positivity rate for individuals tested is 3.8%.
A total of 49,192 doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been administered in the past 24 hours, the IDPH said. The latest figures brought the seven-day moving average for daily vaccinations to 103,769.
Find out more here.
Appointment for a 25K New Cook County vaccine booked in less than 2 hours
Cook County Health said 25,000 appointments for the COVID-19 vaccine released on Sunday were stopped within two hours.
Appointments for the first dose of the Pfizer vaccine were made public at noon Sunday, officials said, open to all Illinois residents eligible for the state’s vaccination plan in phases 1A, 1B, 1B Plus and others “previously classified as 1C” that are eligible in the state as of Monday.
Cook County officials said Sunday afternoon that all appointments, for four suburban vaccination sites, were made within two hours.
Appointments in the future can be made on the Cook County Vaccine website or by calling the county hotline at (833) 308-1988 weekdays from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Find out more here.
Over 1K doses of COVID vaccine given at mass vaccination event in South Austin
More than 1,000 residents of Chicago’s West Side received the single-dose Johnson and Johnson vaccine on Sunday at a pop-up mass vaccination event in the South Austin neighborhood.
“This is an example of equity in action,” said Dr Stephanie Cox-Baston, chief medical officer of the Near North Health Service, one of the organizations behind the massive vaccination effort. “We talk a lot about fairness, but this is what it looks like.”
Find out more here.
Illinois Vaccinations
Loretto hospital operations manager says resign due to ‘distraction’ from nurses and doctors
After resigning amid allegations he made sure well-connected people received coronavirus vaccines, the COO of Loretto Hospital in Chicago released a statement on Saturday claiming he was became a “distraction” for the staff.
Dr Anosh Ahmed, chief operating officer and chief financial officer of the hospital, tendered her resignation on Wednesday, and the hospital’s board of directors unanimously accepted it.
Read the details here.
Illinois sees ‘potential early warning sign’ of resurgence, health department says
Illinois’ recent COVID measures, particularly those in three areas in northern Illinois, see a “possible disturbing trend” that could mark the start of another resurgence, the health department of Illinois said on Friday. the state.
Since March 8, Illinois has seen a 10-day increase in the seven-day moving average of hospital admissions, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health. At the same time, the positivity of the COVID-19 test fell from 2.5% on March 10 to 3.3% on Friday.
“While these rates are certainly well below the peak, they represent a potential early warning sign of a possible resurgence,” the IDPH said in a statement.
More data here.
Illinois fails to meet ‘bridge phase’ measures amid COVID increases in multiple regions: IDPH
Illinois does not meet the parameters necessary to move into its “bridge phase,” a transitional phase that would increase capacity limitations before a full reopening, the state’s health department said on Friday.
Despite promising projections earlier in the week, the Illinois Department of Public Health said “a worrying trend of increasing hospitalizations and rates of COVID cases” in several areas could prevent the state from ” achieve the required parameters.
“As Illinois is on track to hit 70% of first doses for residents 65 and older in the coming days, the IDPH is monitoring an increase in new hospital admissions for COVID, which will need to be treated and resolved appropriately before moving to the transition phase. ”the health department said in a statement.“ IDPH epidemiologists will continue to focus on the last 10 days to monitor acute trends that prevent the state from reaching the transition phase. “
Find out more here.
Illinois Allows ‘Low Demand’ Counties to Start Vaccinating People 16 Years and Older
The Illinois Department of Public Health on Friday authorized counties in the state with low demand for the COVID vaccine to begin immunizing all residents 16 and older at their immediate discretion in order to “respond to a trend possible to increasing hospitalizations and rates of COVID cases “.
The IDPH said in a statement it has seen demand for vaccines slow in several counties “with early signs of unfilled appointments and an increased vaccine inventory.”
As such, the state allows counties with open appointments and sluggish demand to expand vaccine eligibility to use currently available doses. The IDPH noted that residents should contact their local health department to find out if they have expanded their eligibility.
Learn more here.
Rapid Response Vaccination Teams Sent to 5 Illinois Counties
The state said on Friday it would send “rapid response vaccination teams” to five counties where epidemiologists “have determined that it is necessary to administer doses quickly to blunt upward trends,” said the IDPH. These teams will administer one-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccines to residents in addition to what counties are already allocated.
The counties are: Carroll, Ogle, Boone, Lee and Whiteside. Details on doses and how to make an appointment can be found here.
Chicago announces reopening of changes amid ‘worrying increase’ in settings
Chicago has announced changes to its reopening plan as the city faces “worrying increases” in COVID health indicators and aims to prevent “a third outbreak of the virus in Chicago.”
The city said it plans to keep most of its indoor restrictions in place, but outdoor capacity limits will increase at some establishments.
Under the new guidelines, the updated capacity limits, which take effect immediately, include:
- Bars and restaurants: Maximum outdoor table size can increase to ten people, with tables set up so that customers are six feet away from customers at other tables
- Social events (e.g. weddings, potlucks and other community events): Total outdoor capacity can increase to the lesser of 50% or 100 people
- Performance halls, theaters and events with seated spectators: Outdoor sites with a capacity greater than or equal to 200 can operate at 25% of their capacity. Small rooms can operate at a maximum capacity of 50% or 50 people.
- Outdoor recreation: Maximum groups of 50; multiple groups allowed
- Places of worship: No exterior capacity limit as long as six feet of social distance is maintained between parties
- Health and fitness centers: Outdoor classes can increase up to 100 people
Find out more here.
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