(WBBM NEWSRADIO) —Chicago’s top health official had some discouraging news Thursday while going over the city’s latest coronavirus metrics.
Chicago is averaging about 500 COVID-19 cases per day, up 18% from last week, Public Health Commissioner Allison Arwady said during her latest update on the virus.
“We're currently averaging 18 cases per 100,000 per day,” said Arwady. “And although that is well under the national average, which is currently 27, it is much higher than we were even a few weeks ago.”
In addition to more new cases, health officials also report an uptick in COVID-related deaths. Chicago is now averaging four deaths a day, compared to two deaths per day last week.
The daily number of hospitalizations is down, but Arwady said the transmission risk has shifted the wrong direction.
Arwady, however, said she’s pleased with the city’s vaccination efforts, which is averaging nearly 13,000 doses a day.
The rise in cases isn’t a surprise as winter approaches, she said.
“I expect there to be some more transmission associated with holidays, especially where people who are not vaccinated are gathering,” Arwady said.
The citywide seven-day COVID-19 case positivity rate is 2.7%. By comparison, the Illinois COVID case positivity rate is more than 3%.
The Illinois Department of Public Health’s records show the rate has been below that marker since mid-September.
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