AdvertisementBy Chicago TribuneApr 05, 2021 at 10:01 amAn event at a rural Illinois bar in February led to an outbreak of 46 cases of COVID-19, a school closure and the hospitalization of a long-term care facility resident, according to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report released Monday.The indoor event in Douglas County led to cases in 26 patrons, three staff members and 17 other people who did not attend but likely caught COVID-19 from others linked to the event. A school with 650 children closed because of the outbreak, the CDC said.AdvertisementAttendees included a...…AdvertisementBy Chicago TribuneApr 05, 2021 at 10:01 amAn event at a rural Illinois bar in February led to an outbreak of 46 cases of COVID-19, a school closure and the hospitalization of a long-term care facility resident, according to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report released Monday.The indoor event in Douglas County led to cases in 26 patrons, three staff members and 17 other people who did not attend but likely caught COVID-19 from others linked to the event. A school with 650 children closed because of the outbreak, the CDC said.AdvertisementAttendees included a...WW…

AdvertisementBy Chicago TribuneNov 09, 2020 at 2:53 pmMany Chicago-area hospitals are again barring visitors, as the number of COVID-19 cases in Illinois continues to climb.Last week, Advocate Aurora Health, which has 12 hospitals in Illinois, stopped allowing visitors at most of its hospitals — except in certain cases, such as childbirth, emergency department visits, pediatric appointments, patients with disabilities and end-of-life patients.Advertisement“This is a proactive measure to keep our patients and team members safe and to reduce the spread of COVID-19,” spokeswoman Johnna Kelly...…AdvertisementBy Chicago TribuneNov 09, 2020 at 2:53 pmMany Chicago-area hospitals are again barring visitors, as the number of COVID-19 cases in Illinois continues to climb.Last week, Advocate Aurora Health, which has 12 hospitals in Illinois, stopped allowing visitors at most of its hospitals — except in certain cases, such as childbirth, emergency department visits, pediatric appointments, patients with disabilities and end-of-life patients.Advertisement“This is a proactive measure to keep our patients and team members safe and to reduce the spread of COVID-19,” spokeswoman Johnna Kelly...WW…

AdvertisementBy Chicago TribuneNov 07, 2020 at 6:54 pmIllinois COVID-19 hospitalizations are rising so quickly that, in roughly a week, the number could surpass the highest tally seen in the spring surge, a Tribune analysis has found.And the skyrocketing admissions are raising new concerns that some hospitals could eventually be packed with patients.If the virus can’t be slowed, Gov. J.B. Pritzker told reporters Thursday, “we are going to experience a surge in hospitalizations much higher than where we are now. And in some areas of our state that will mean that you’ll run out of hospital...…AdvertisementBy Chicago TribuneNov 07, 2020 at 6:54 pmIllinois COVID-19 hospitalizations are rising so quickly that, in roughly a week, the number could surpass the highest tally seen in the spring surge, a Tribune analysis has found.And the skyrocketing admissions are raising new concerns that some hospitals could eventually be packed with patients.If the virus can’t be slowed, Gov. J.B. Pritzker told reporters Thursday, “we are going to experience a surge in hospitalizations much higher than where we are now. And in some areas of our state that will mean that you’ll run out of hospital...WW…

AdvertisementBy Chicago TribuneOct 23, 2020 at 8:08 pmJust hours after Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot announced new restrictions on businesses in response to rising COVID-19 cases, White House coronavirus response coordinator Dr. Deborah Birx cautioned that closing public spaces may not stop the illness’s spread.Birx said it’s possible some of the recent spread is happening in people’s homes, during family gatherings, as the weather gets colder. She spoke at a news conference following a private meeting with leaders from Rush University System for Health, Northwestern Medicine and the...…AdvertisementBy Chicago TribuneOct 23, 2020 at 8:08 pmJust hours after Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot announced new restrictions on businesses in response to rising COVID-19 cases, White House coronavirus response coordinator Dr. Deborah Birx cautioned that closing public spaces may not stop the illness’s spread.Birx said it’s possible some of the recent spread is happening in people’s homes, during family gatherings, as the weather gets colder. She spoke at a news conference following a private meeting with leaders from Rush University System for Health, Northwestern Medicine and the...WW…

AdvertisementBy Chicago TribuneAug 13, 2020 at 5:14 pmAt least 20 children in Illinois have come down with a rare but severe illness linked to COVID-19, placing Illinois among the top seven states in the country for the number of cases, according to a new federal report.Illinois, Pennsylvania, Louisiana and California each had between 21 and 30 cases from March to July, according to an article recently released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. New York, New Jersey and Massachusetts had more than 31 incidences each.AdvertisementThe illness — called in children, or MIS-C —...…AdvertisementBy Chicago TribuneAug 13, 2020 at 5:14 pmAt least 20 children in Illinois have come down with a rare but severe illness linked to COVID-19, placing Illinois among the top seven states in the country for the number of cases, according to a new federal report.Illinois, Pennsylvania, Louisiana and California each had between 21 and 30 cases from March to July, according to an article recently released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. New York, New Jersey and Massachusetts had more than 31 incidences each.AdvertisementThe illness — called in children, or MIS-C —...WW…

AdvertisementBy Chicago TribuneJun 23, 2020 at 11:28 amMore than 700 nurses at a Joliet hospital say they are prepared to walk off the job as early as July 4.The nurses at Amita Health Saint Joseph Medical Center Joliet filed a 10-day strike notice Tuesday. They have been working without a contract since May 9 and have been in contract negotiations since February.AdvertisementIt’s still possible that a strike could be averted. Two more bargaining sessions are planned between now and July 4.Sticking points include levels of nurse staffing, benefits and pay, said Pat Meade, a longtime nurse...…AdvertisementBy Chicago TribuneJun 23, 2020 at 11:28 amMore than 700 nurses at a Joliet hospital say they are prepared to walk off the job as early as July 4.The nurses at Amita Health Saint Joseph Medical Center Joliet filed a 10-day strike notice Tuesday. They have been working without a contract since May 9 and have been in contract negotiations since February.AdvertisementIt’s still possible that a strike could be averted. Two more bargaining sessions are planned between now and July 4.Sticking points include levels of nurse staffing, benefits and pay, said Pat Meade, a longtime nurse...WW…

AdvertisementBy Chicago TribuneApr 25, 2020 at 6:25 pmCity and state officials have decided to open 2,000 fewer beds at the McCormick Place medical center for now, citing the slowing growth of COVID-19 cases in Illinois.McCormick originally was supposed to have 3,000 beds in case Chicago-area hospitals were hit with more coronavirus patients than they could handle at once. For the time being, however, a planned 1,750-bed hall won’t be opened. And a separate hall for sicker patients has been scaled back by 250 beds.AdvertisementIn recent weeks, Gov. J.B. Pritzker has said Illinois has been...…AdvertisementBy Chicago TribuneApr 25, 2020 at 6:25 pmCity and state officials have decided to open 2,000 fewer beds at the McCormick Place medical center for now, citing the slowing growth of COVID-19 cases in Illinois.McCormick originally was supposed to have 3,000 beds in case Chicago-area hospitals were hit with more coronavirus patients than they could handle at once. For the time being, however, a planned 1,750-bed hall won’t be opened. And a separate hall for sicker patients has been scaled back by 250 beds.AdvertisementIn recent weeks, Gov. J.B. Pritzker has said Illinois has been...WW…