CHICAGO – COVID-19 levels in Chicago and Cook County remain steady in the Low Community Level according to the latest Community Level metrics released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), but CDPH is reminding residents that with winter approaching, it is critical to get the updated COVID-19 booster as well as a seasonal flu shot.  

Everyone age 5 and up who has previously been vaccinated against COVID-19 is eligible to receive the new, updated vaccine, known as the bivalent booster, which is designed to better protect against the dominant Omicron subvariants currently circulating as well as original strains of the virus. The bivalent booster generates a stronger immune response against current and future variants. In addition, CDPH officials continue to urge all Chicagoans age 6 months and older to also get a flu shot to stay healthy and avoid serious illness.  

Of all Chicagoans ages 5 and up, only 11.8 percent have received the updated vaccine so far, compared to 8.4 percent nationally. Of all eligible Chicagoans (those who have completed their primary COVID-19 vaccine series), 17 percent have received their updated vaccine. However, there continues to be disparities among different racial and ethnic groups. For example, of eligible Chicagoans, 27 percent of White residents have received the updated booster, compared to 18.4 percent of Asian residents, 13.1 percent of Black/non-Latinx residents and 9.1 percent of Latinx residents. 

“I really want to see an increase in the number of people who are up-to-date with their COVID-19 vaccinations. I am pleased that we remain in the Low Community Level, but with winter coming and people gathering indoors, I worry about a likely resurgence of COVID-19 in the weeks ahead,” said CDPH Commissioner Allison Arwady, M.D. “Which is why everyone age 5 and above needs to get the Fall 2022 updated vaccine now, before the holidays. It doesn’t matter if you have already had boosters. This is a different vaccine, and it offers better protection against current and future virus strains.” 

Dr. Arwady added: “And I really want to see everyone getting their annual flu shot, especially children and seniors who are much more vulnerable to severe outcomes. We are heading into the worst months for serious illness, and I don’t want to see a spike in COVID-19 and flu hospitalizations. Vaccines are the number one way to protect yourself and your family this season.”  

As of November 2, more than 317,000 doses (up from 273,000 last week) of the updated booster have been administered to Chicagoans. Of those, 55 percent have gone to White/non-Latinx residents, 18 percent to Black/non-Latinx residents, 15 percent to Latinx residents, and 8 percent to Asian residents. In addition, 38 percent of doses have gone to residents age 60 or older.  

The City is hosting a flu/COVID-19 vaccination clinic this Saturday, November 5 at  

Malcolm X College, 1900 W. Jackson Blvd., from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Registration is recommended, but walk-ins will be accommodated. Primary series COVID vaccines for Chicagoans 6 months and up will be offered, as well as bivalent boosters for those who are eligible. CDPH recently added additional dates for flu/COVID-19 vaccination clinics at City College locations to be held through December.   

The City continues to operate Protect Chicago At Home and will bring vaccines to your home for free. Updated COVID-19 vaccines and primary doses are available. People can also receive a flu vaccine at home as long as at least one member of the household is receiving a COVID vaccine. Up to 10 people can be vaccinated at a time. Make an at-home appointment at Chicago.gov/AtHome or by calling (312) 746-4835. 

In addition, CDPH has scheduled dozens of mobile vaccination events in the coming weeks to administer bivalent booster vaccines and flu vaccines for high-risk populations such as senior centers, Chicago Housing Authority facilities and other congregate living settings, as well as general vaccination events all over the City in partnership with aldermen and community and religious organizations. Find vaccination events in your neighborhood at Chicago.gov/vaxcalendar or call the City’s COVID-19 Hotline at (312) 746-4835. Residents can find out where to get the updated vaccine at a pharmacy by visiting vaccines.gov.  

COVID-19 By the Numbers 

The number of new laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 cases per 100,000 population in the past 7 days across Cook County was 105 (107 last week), and the number of new weekly hospital admissions per 100,000 population was 9.1 (8.8 last week). The percentage of staffed inpatient beds in Cook County in use by patients with confirmed COVID-19 was 3.5 percent (3.4 percent last week).   

The City’s COVID-19 case rate per 100,000 population is 103 (95 last week), and the number of new weekly hospital admissions per 100,000 population is 3.8 (4.4 last week). The percentage of hospital beds occupied by patients with COVID-19 is 3.2 percent (3.2 percent last week).

 Based on the latest data from CDC, Cook County levels are as follows.

The CDC determines COVID-19 Community Levels as Low, Medium, or High, based on the number of new local COVID-19 cases, regional COVID-19 hospital admissions, and COVID-19 hospital capacity in the prior week. The Levels were developed to help communities decide what prevention steps to take based on the latest local COVID-19 data.  

When the CDC updates its COVID-19 Community Levels national map each week, the City of Chicago and suburban Cook County data are combined into one weekly case metric for Cook County. Hospitalization data, in contrast, reflect a burden on the whole federally defined Health Service Area, which includes hospitals in Cook, Lake, DuPage, and McHenry counties.  

CDPH also continues to track and report COVID-19 hospital burden specifically for Chicago hospitals every day on its dashboard and uses this local hospital data to make further mitigation decisions. Visit chi.gov/coviddash for the Chicago COVID-19 daily data dashboard. 

COVID-19 Community Levels in the U.S. by County 

Nationwide, COVID-19 Community Levels are holding steady. Less than 22 percent of U.S. counties are at the Medium or High COVID-19 Level (24 percent last week). In Illinois, there are no counties at the High Level, and 31 of the State’s 102 counties are Medium. The remainder are Low. Travelers should be aware of whether areas they are visiting are Low, Medium, or High risk for COVID-19 by checking the CDC’s map, and take proper precautions, which should include reviewing CDPH’s travel guidance.

For additional COVID-19 news, see CDPH’s weekly update or visit Chicago.gov/COVID.

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