Gov. J.B. Pritzker has ordered Illinois residents to stay home as the number of novel coronavirus cases in the state climbed to 585 on Friday.
Stories by kristen thometz
Gov. Pritzker Issues Stay-at-Home Order through April 7 as COVID-19 Cases Climb
Mar 20, 2020 | Kristen Thometz
Illinois Health Officials Project 3,400 COVID-19 Cases by End of Next Week
Mar 20, 2020 | Kristen Thometz
If trends continue, the number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Illinois could reach 3,400 by next Friday, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health.
COVID-19 in Illinois: 3 More Dead, Cases Soar to 422
Mar 19, 2020 | Kristen Thometz
Three more people have died from the novel coronavirus in Illinois, where the number of people who have tested positive for the illness now stands at 422 across 22 counties, state officials said Thursday.
10 More Things to Do (at Home) This Weekend
Mar 19, 2020 | Kristen Thometz
Adventurous penguins, art exhibits, live concerts, and plenty of podcasts – you don’t have to go out (and risk getting sick) to have a fun-filled weekend. Here are 10 things you can do from the comfort of your own home.
Lightfoot Orders All Sick Residents to Stay Home to Prevent COVID-19 Spread
Mar 19, 2020 | Kristen Thometz
For weeks, people have been told to stay home if they are sick. Now, Mayor Lori Lightfoot and the Chicago Department of Public Health are issuing a public health order making that a requirement.
128 More Test Positive for Coronavirus in Illinois, Bringing Total Cases to 288
Mar 18, 2020 | Kristen Thometz
State officials on Wednesday announced the largest single-day jump in the number of confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus in Illinois. The total now stands at 288 positive tests for the virus across 17 counties in the state.
Chicago Public Health Commissioner Expects COVID-19 Cases to Rise
Mar 17, 2020 | Kristen Thometz
As of Tuesday, 63 of the 160 people who have tested positive for the new coronavirus in Illinois are Chicago residents, according to the Chicago Department of Public Health. We get the latest from CDPH Commissioner Dr. Allison Arwady.
Pritzker Announces 1st COVID-19 Death in Illinois, Slams Federal Government
Mar 17, 2020 | Kristen Thometz
A Chicago woman in her 60s marks the first reported death in Illinois related to the COVID-19 outbreak. Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced the death Tuesday, as confirmed cases across the state grew to 160.
Coronavirus Cases in Illinois Reach 105 as 12 More Test Positive
Mar 16, 2020 | Kristen Thometz
Gov. J.B. Pritzker issued a new mandate Monday in the fight against spread of the coronavirus. Gatherings of 50 people or more should be canceled, he said, citing guidelines announced Sunday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Have a Coronavirus Question? Tweet at Chicago’s Public Health Commissioner
Mar 16, 2020 | Kristen Thometz
Have pressing coronavirus questions? Tweet them using the hashtag #AskDrArwady daily at 11 a.m. and get answers from Chicago Department of Public Health Commissioner Dr. Allison Arwady.
Gov. Pritzker Orders Closure of All Illinois Schools, Including CPS, Over Coronavirus Concerns
Mar 13, 2020 | Kristen Thometz
Gov. J.B. Pritzker is ordering the closure of all public and private K-12 schools across the state, including Chicago Public Schools, starting Tuesday. It’s the largest closure to date related to the spread of the novel coronavirus in Illinois.
Grubhub Changes Fee Structure as Coronavirus Eats into Restaurant Profits
Mar 13, 2020 | Kristen Thometz
To help alleviate the impact of coronavirus-related declines in restaurant sales, Chicago-based Grubhub announced a temporary change to its fee structure and a charitable fund to support impacted restaurants and drivers nationwide.
Archdiocese of Chicago Suspends Mass, Closes Schools Due to Coronavirus
Mar 13, 2020 | Kristen Thometz
Mass at all Archdiocese of Chicago churches will be suspended starting Saturday until further notice in an effort to limit the spread of the novel coronavirus. “This is not a decision I made lightly,” Archbishop Blase Cupich said in a statement.
10 Things to Do (at Home) This Weekend
Mar 12, 2020 | Kristen Thometz
Board games and binge-worthy shows and books – you don’t have to go out (and risk getting sick) to have a fun-filled weekend. Here are 10 things you can do from the comfort of your own home.
Chicago Postpones All 3 St. Patrick’s Day Parades, River Dyeing
Mar 11, 2020 | Kristen Thometz
Major weekend events celebrating St. Patrick’s Day in Chicago have been postponed due concerns over the novel coronavirus. To date, 25 people have tested positive for the virus in Illinois.
West Side United Exceeds 2019 Small Business Grant Goals
Mar 11, 2020 | Kristen Thometz
A coalition of health care institutions and professionals awarded dozens of businesses on the city’s West Side $500,000 in small business grants last year, doubling the goal it had set to achieve by 2021.
Illinois’ Coronavirus Total Rises to 19 as 8 More Test Positive
Mar 10, 2020 | Kristen Thometz
State and local health officials reported the first cases of the novel coronavirus outside of Cook County as they announced eight more people have tested positive for the virus.
FDA, FTC Issue Warnings to Companies Claiming to Treat, Prevent Coronavirus
Mar 10, 2020 | Kristen Thometz
There are currently no vaccines or drugs to treat or prevent COVID-19, yet some companies are selling products purporting to do just that. “The FDA considers the sale and promotion of fraudulent COVID-19 products to be a threat to the public health,” said FDA Commissioner Dr. Stephen M. Hahn.
10 Questions with an Infectious Disease Doctor About Coronavirus
Mar 6, 2020 | Kristen Thometz
Who should be wearing masks? Is the virus seasonal? A local infectious disease physician answers these questions and others about COVID-19.
5th Person Tests Positive for Coronavirus in Cook County
Mar 5, 2020 | Kristen Thometz
A man in his 20s has tested positive for COVID-19 after traveling to Italy, marking the fifth case of the virus in Illinois. The patient is hospitalized in isolation at Rush University Medical Center, where he’s reported to be in stable condition.
10 Things to Do This Weekend: March 5-8
Mar 4, 2020 | Kristen Thometz
Prehistoric creatures, a costumed shopping cart race, thousands of flowers, and an environmental film festival usher in the weekend. Here are 10 things to do in and around Chicago.
Chicago Health Officials: Coronavirus Risk Remains Low
Mar 4, 2020 | Kristen Thometz
There have been four confirmed cases of coronavirus in Illinois, but health officials expect that number to rise as the state expands its capacity to test for the virus. Still, the immediate risk to the general public remains low, they say.
Patient at UChicago Medicine Tests Negative for Coronavirus
Mar 4, 2020 | Kristen Thometz
A person suspected of having the novel coronavirus who was admitted to the University of Chicago Medical Center earlier this week has tested negative for the illness.
UChicago Medicine Treating Suspected Coronavirus Patient
Mar 3, 2020 | Kristen Thometz
A person suspected of having the novel coronavirus has been admitted to the University of Chicago Medical Center, which is awaiting test results to confirm whether the patient has the virus. If confirmed, the patient would mark Illinois’ fifth case of COVID-19.
4th Person Tests Positive for Coronavirus in Cook County
Mar 2, 2020 | Kristen Thometz
A couple in their 70s mark the third and fourth cases of novel coronavirus in Illinois, according to state and local health officials. Both patients are reported to be in good condition.
Cook County Circuit Court Judge Candidates Ranked by 3 Bar Associations
Feb 28, 2020 | Kristen Thometz
To help navigate the options, three local bar associations have screened and ranked each candidate. Here are their recommendations.