Coronavirus

The virus continues to drive illness in Illinois and across the world, but many no longer view it as the threat they used to.

Chicago’s practice of not keeping tabs on updated booster vaccination by schools comes as parts of the country are experiencing an uptick in COVID-19.

The city's leaders urged Chicagoans to wear a mask in the coming weeks — but they won't require it for now.

"We know that the holidays are a time that makes our COVID rates go up," health Commissioner Dr. Allison Arwady said.

Lightfoot, who tested positive for COVID-19 last week, said, "I feel like part of the reason why I'm feeling up and ready to go — and ready to finish my Christmas shopping — is because I got the second booster."

“It’s a complicated time knowing that this is respiratory virus season, and that that surge that is coming is likely to hit across the whole city,” the city's health commissioner said.

Chicago Public Schools’ vaccine sites will offer the updated vaccine this week. The district will alert families when the bivalent booster is available to 5- to 11-year-olds.

"I wanted to see the happy ending. ... I wanted to see how people fared and how the community supported them," Candice Cusic said.

The average school vaccination rate is 39.6 percent across all schools. Rates remain the lowest at predominantly Black schools on the South and West sides, according to a data analysis by Chalkbeat.

The health department recommends everyone 6 months and older get their flu shot before the end of October. Officials also urge people to get their COVID-19 vaccination shots.

The Italian spot struggled with foot traffic before the pandemic, and that "battle resumed once the world opened back up and people had so many more options," Pisolino's co-owner said.

The bivalent boosters are free and available to everyone 12 and older who has already gotten their initial vaccine shots. People should get them as soon as possible, officials urged.

The bivalent booster shots will be key to protecting people from Omicron and preventing another surge, officials said. They'll be available for free to Chicagoans 12 and older.

Many restaurants have hiked wages, but it's not enough for workers disillusioned by cranky customers and grueling work. “If you don’t have to go back to hell, why set yourself up to burn?”

Dr. Allison Arwady has become known as a guiding force for Chicago during the pandemic, hosting news conference and livestreams where she's answered Chicagoans' questions and talked about the city's progress.

The River North Residents Association is raising $100,000 to sustain its work after it pivoted to a new festival format that didn't attract as many attendees as organizers hoped.

"As we continue to move toward living with this virus, my administration will relax some requirements while continuing to protect the most vulnerable," Gov. JB Pritzker said.

BA.4 and BA.5 are spreading in Cook County, but residents can take steps to protect themselves, according to the health department.

Anyone 6 months and older can get a COVID-19 vaccine. South Side sites are open throughout the summer for families.