As of Thursday night, 475 individuals in Illinois were reported to be in the hospital with COVID-19. Of those, 49 patients were in the ICU, the first time the state has been under 50 COVID-19 patients in the ICU since the start of the pandemic.

Both IDPH and the Illinois Department on Aging have endorsed action this week by both the FDA and the CDC to simplify their recommendations for COVID-19 vaccinations

As of Thursday night, 568 individuals in Illinois were reported to be in the hospital with COVID-19, the fewest since April 19, 2022

Weekly COVID-19 deaths as reported by the IDPH are at their lowest since the beginning of the pandemic. But wastewater surveillance suggests COVID-19 is back on the rise after months of decline.

The counties at medium COVID-19 risk in northern Illinois are: Ogle, Lee, Jo Daviess, Stephenson, Winnebago and Boone.

The continuous enrollment program ends March 31, meaning Medicaid users must renew or risk being uninsured. In Illinois, the first notices go out in May for people with coverage due for renewal in June.

The one county in the state at “high” risk is Clay County in southeastern Illinois. None of the eight counties at “medium” risk are in northern Illinois.

IDPH Director Dr. Sameer Vohra warned that cases of group A strep throat leading to severe complications are on the rise in Illinois, with more cases reported in 2023 than in any of the past five years.

As of Thursday night, 921 individuals in Illinois were reported to be in the hospital with COVID-19. Of those, 113 patients were in the ICU and 41 patients with COVID-19 were on ventilators

Two of the 20 counties in the state at medium COVID-19 risk are in northern Illinois: Jo Daviess and Stephenson counties in northwestern Illinois.

None of the 19 counties at medium COVID-19 risk are in northern Illinois. But new hospital admission for COVID-19 are up from a week ago.

As of Thursday night, 834 individuals in Illinois were reported to be in the hospital with COVID-19. Of those, 100 patients were in the ICU and 34 patients with COVID-19 were on ventilators.

The Illinois Department of Public Health announced that zero counties are considered at “high” risk for COVID-19, down from three a week ago. An additional 20 counties are at “medium” risk, down from 25 last week.

The Illinois Department of Public Health announced that three counties are considered at “high” risk for COVID-19, down from 28 a week ago. An additional 56 counties are at “medium” risk, up from 45 last week.

A new highly contagious and ominously dubbed the “Kraken” subvariant of COVID-19 is driving infections in the northeastern part of the country and showing up in greater numbers in Illinois as well.

The University of Illinois has removed its COVID-19 vaccination and testing requirements for all students and employees, system President Tim Killeen announced

The Illinois Department of Public Health announced Friday that 28 counties are considered at “high” risk for COVID-19, up from just five a week ago.

The Illinois Department of Public Health announced Friday that five counties are considered a “high” risk for COVID-19, down from 33 a week ago. An additional 49 counties are at “medium” risk, down from 55 last week.