CHICAGO (WLS) — Chicago continues to see a spike in coronavirus cases in late summer.
Health leaders say more people are being diagnosed in emergency rooms, but new coronavirus vaccines are arriving at pharmacies.
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Events like the Democratic and Republican National Conventions in Chicago and Milwaukee, respectively, are among the large indoor summer gatherings that occurred during the uptick in coronavirus cases.
“Unfortunately, the Democratic National Convention occurred at the height of the coronavirus outbreak this summer,” said Dr. Emily Landon, an infectious disease specialist at the University of Chicago.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, between August 11 and 17, 2.5% of emergency room patients were diagnosed with COVID-19.
That's up from 1.7% around the same time period in July.
Chicago is seeing a similar increase.
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“It turns out that if you've had a respiratory virus in the last month or so, it's likely to be COVID, whether you get tested for it or not. It also means we're seeing more patients in the hospital, and more patients getting sick,” Landon said. .
“With so much travel for summer events, it's an opportunity for viral diseases to spread,” said Alexander Sloboda, medical director of immunization and emergency preparedness programs at the Chicago Department of Public Health.
Over the weekend, CVS pharmacies began carrying the updated 2024-2025 coronavirus vaccine that is intended to prevent complications and serious illness.
Patients can make appointments or come in to get coronavirus vaccines at their local CVS.
Health experts are urging Chicagoans to take advantage of the new vaccine if they have not recently been infected with the coronavirus.
“We encourage everyone, anyone over 6 months old,” Sloboda said.
“If you don't have COVID this summer, there's still a lot of COVID. And half the people, we're at the peak, and then half the people who are going to get COVID in this wave have not yet had COVID,” Landon said. “So, you probably want to take precautions; Be a little careful.”
The challenge in tracking coronavirus cases is that many people are being tested at home, and their illnesses do not rise to the level of needing emergency care. Therefore, it is not reported.
Health experts urge you to stay home if you have a respiratory illness, and when you return to your activities, wear a mask if you have any symptoms.
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