CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- Illinois’ COVID situation is getting worse. On Wednesday, the number of cases rose to its worse level in more than seven months.
The Illinois Department of Public Health reported Wednesday 5,178 new confirmed and probable cases of COVID-19 - the worst number since Jan. 22. Additionally, IDPH reported 26 COVID-related deaths. There have been 1,528,120 total COVID cases, including 23,979 deaths in Illinois since the start of the pandemic.
The preliminary seven-day statewide test positivity from Aug. 25-31 is at 5.6 percent.
As of Tuesday, IDPH officials said more than 2,200 people were in Illinois hospitals with COVID.Of those, 512 patients were in the ICU and 283 patients with COVID-19 were on ventilators.
Meanwhile, Chicago Department of Public Health will begin offering $100 Visa gift cards to anyone who gets vaccinated against COVID-19 at one of its mobile vaccination events starting Saturday or in their own home through the Protect Chicago At Home program starting Tuesday; as well as vaccination clinics for CPS students and their families.
Everyone 12 and up is eligible to receive a vaccine and a gift card, the city said in a statement.
Residents will receive a $50 gift card when they get each dose of the Pfizer vaccine. Residents who get the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine will receive two $50 gift cards. The Pfizer vaccine is the only vaccine approved for children aged 12 to 17.
For a list of mobile and pop-up vaccination events and available vaccines, check the online calendar at Chicago.gov/VaxCalendar.
In-home vaccination offers a choice between the Pfizer (12 and older) and Johnson & Johnson (18 and older) vaccines. Up to 10 people can be vaccinated at a time, so residents can invite family, friends or neighbors to their home to be vaccinated together. Residents are reminded to wear masks and practice social distancing when inviting those from outside their household. Appointments are available Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. To make an appointment for in-home vaccination, call (312) 746-4835 or register at www.chicago.gov/athome.
All COVID-19 vaccinations are free. No insurance or government ID required.
For help finding a shot in suburban Cook County, visit cookcountypublichealth.org or call (833) 308-1988. To find other Illinois providers, visit coronavirus.illinois.gov or call (833) 621-1284.
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