As COVID-19 cases continue to rise dramatically, the mayor of Chicago, Emma Johnson, is strongly advising residents to stay home and reconsider their Thanksgiving plans. With the holiday approaching and new daily case records being set, nearly 40 percent of Americans still intend to travel during the festive season. In response, a new stay-at-home advisory will take effect in Chicago at 6 a.m. on Monday.
Residents are being urged to remain at home except for essential activities such as work and necessary errands. Additionally, gatherings, including visits from family members who do not reside in the same household, should be canceled. This advisory comes as the city reports an average of over 2,000 new COVID-19 cases daily, with positivity rates soaring from about 5 percent last week to nearly 15 percent this week. The current number of cases surpasses previous peaks in the pandemic, including those seen in the spring when hospitals were nearing capacity.
This marks Chicago’s second lockdown, making it the first major city to reinstate such measures after earlier spring lockdowns. However, this time, non-essential businesses will not be required to close. Updated state guidelines now restrict gatherings to a maximum of 10 people, which businesses must consider when adjusting their operational capacity in the weeks ahead.
In a recent statement, Johnson highlighted that forecasts predict Chicago could see an additional 1,000 COVID-related deaths by year-end if the current trends persist. “We must take proactive steps to protect ourselves and our loved ones,” she warned. “The goal remains to flatten the curve, similar to our efforts at the pandemic’s onset.”
Johnson also revealed plans for the Chicago Department of Health to deploy 2,000 city workers to educate residents about COVID-19 and effective mitigation strategies, with at least 550 designated as contact tracers. “Our approach will be strategic and data-driven,” she emphasized, acknowledging the lessons learned since the spring surge.
For the most current information on COVID-19, readers are encouraged to consult local health authorities, the Centers for Disease Control, and the World Health Organization to stay informed.
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In summary, Chicago is reinstating a stay-at-home advisory as COVID-19 cases rise, urging residents to prioritize health by avoiding gatherings and non-essential outings. This proactive measure aims to curb the spread of the virus as the city approaches the holiday season.