Doctors warn about rise in respiratory illnesses in Chicago, Cook County
COVID-19 and RSV are relatively low in Chicago and Cook County, but it's the flu that's prompting health officials to sound the alarm, according to health officials.
Watch CBS News
COVID-19 and RSV are relatively low in Chicago and Cook County, but it's the flu that's prompting health officials to sound the alarm, according to health officials.
Doctors said it's not too late to get the flu shot, which is still the best tool to reduce the risk of needing to go to the hospital.
In addition to norovirus, regular winter respiratory illnesses like RSV and flu are spiking, as is COVID-19.
The viral infections putting such on a strain on health systems that one hospital in the northwest suburbs had to stop accepting ambulances earlier this week. Sara Machi reports.
The Illinois Department of Public Health said cases of flu, RSV, and COVID-19 are on the rise across the state.
The new recommendations apply to COVID-19 and other viruses, like flu and RSV.
As of Tuesday, the Illinois Department of Public Health had the state under a moderate level of activity when it comes to respiratory illness.
We are now on the tail end of respiratory viral infection season, but doctors say we are not yet in the clear. CBS 2's Marybel Gonzalez reports.
Chicago saw a 14% spike in COVID hospitalizations in a period of just a week and has no signs of the virus letting up.
The new JN.1 variant is to blame for the latest spike.
COVID-19, the flu, and RSV are all hitting hard. In particular as COVID cases gradually increase, health leaders are reminding people to take the necessary precautions in protecting themselves. CBS 2's Jermont Terry reports.
In the last four weeks, hospitalizations are skyrocketing for the flu, RSV and COVID-19.
To take a look at why this is happening, epidemiologist, Dr. Katrine Wallace at the University of Illinois at Chicago explains the surge, the new COVID variant, and how it's different from the others.
"COVID-19 hospitalizations are rising quickly," the CDC said, and the new variant JN.1 is making up an increasing share of cases.
RSV cases are increasing ahead of winter. The virus can lead to very serious illness in both young children and elderly people. Vice president of pediatric primary care at Advocate Children's Hospital Dr. Julie Holland joined the stream to discuss best practices to stay safe this holiday season.
Can you get your COVID booster and flu shot at the same time? Here's what health experts say.
We're in the fall virus season, a time when we could see another tripledemic. That's when COVID-19, flu, and RSV make the rounds all at once.
Up to 10,000 deaths and 160,000 hospitalizations a year are caused by RSV in seniors.
March 2023 will mark three years since health officials declared COVID-19 a pandemic. Now, high case numbers of both flu and RSV are in the mix, creating what some people are calling a "tripledemic."
Because misinformation can spread so quickly on social media, we sat down with an expert to debunk some common misconceptions about the “tripledemic” of COVID-19, flu, and RSV. Dr. Jessica Brinkworth is an immunologist and assistant professor at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
Epidemiologist Dr. Katrine Wallace, known as Dr. Kat on social media, joins Brad Edwards on the stream to discuss another pandemic holiday season. This time, we also have an early flu season and RSV to also be concerned about.
With increased warnings about the so-called “tripledemic” of COVID-19, RSV, and the flu circulating right now, the American Lung Association has launched a new campaign encouraging people to protect themselves against all those viruses. They say for some it is especially dangerous, but getting vaccinated can make a big difference. Dr. Juanita Moro has advice on how to stay safe.
Earlier this week, CDC health experts said flu hospitalizations continue to remain at a 10-year high, and RSV infections are peaking in both kids and adults.
The number of COVID-19 cases in Illinois is expected to hit a nearly 10-month high by next week.
Local experts are warning of a triple-demic – with COVID, flu, and RSV cases in children all climbing for what is expected to be the worst season in a decade.
Two separate child abuse cases in Lake County, Illinois, are prompting questions about the roles schools play in identifying warning signs and alerting authorities.
It was alleged that the woman and five coworkers returned from Turkey to O'Hare and were held for 30 hours. Since then, DHS, along with the Cook County and Dodge County sheriff's offices, said that didn't happen.
Police said the two men, 32 and 33, were shot by an unknown person inside an apartment in South Austin on Wednesday evening.
Garcia-Espinal formerly worked at the Sunset Ridge School, where, in 2020, he allegedly hid a video camera in a school bathroom and recorded students and staff without their knowledge or consent.
Northwestern now has a seven-game winning streak against the Hoosiers.
A new Iowa law bans local nondiscrimination protections on the basis of gender identity after the state became the first in the U.S. to roll back its civil rights code last year.
Illinois state Rep. Kam Buckner (D-Chicago) announced Wednesday that he has introduced legislation to rename part of Chicago's Dan Ryan Expressway in honor of the late Rev. Jesse Jackson.
A former Illinois mayor who is the subject of a federal investigation has taken her political aspirations to the metro Atlanta area.
Mayor Brandon Johnson has called off – for now – a bid to impose new polling place protections in Chicago in an attempt to prohibit federal immigration agents from entering so-called "democracy zones" while voters are at the polls.
About 30 U.S. service members remained hospitalized Tuesday after an Iranian drone strike in Kuwait.
For Cook County residents hoping to lower their property tax bills, applications are open for exemptions.
Officials in the north Chicago suburb of Wilmette issued a warning Tuesday about scammers who are impersonating representatives of village departments.
The war with Iran is causing gas prices to surge, with motorists in Chicago and around the country guaranteed to feel the impact at the pump Monday morning.
There's no relief in sight for drivers at the pump as the war in Iran is directly driving up the cost of gas. Analysts expect more of the same unless something changes soon.
Drivers in the Chicago area can expect to start paying more at the pump this week, as oil prices have spiked amid the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran.
A new Iowa law bans local nondiscrimination protections on the basis of gender identity after the state became the first in the U.S. to roll back its civil rights code last year.
Food containing norovirus may smell and taste normal but still cause serious illness if consumed, FDA warns.
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker on Monday announced a $1.5 billion investment from biotherapeutics company CSL for a new plasma therapy manufacturing plant in Kanakee.
When a doctor was told there was no cure for his daughter's condition, he was motivated to transform not only her health, but the lives of thousands of others.
Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital announced this week that it is planning to open a new pediatric hospital in the west Chicago suburb of Downers Grove.
Despite a rash of restaurant closures, veterans of the plant-based food business pushed back against prophecies of doom — and in one case argued that such closures notwithstanding, plant-based eating is only growing.
Two popular Chicago craft breweries – Half Acre Beer Co. and Maplewood Brewery & Distillery – announced on Tuesday they are merging to create a new "premier Chicago beverage company."
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker on Monday announced a $1.5 billion investment from biotherapeutics company CSL for a new plasma therapy manufacturing plant in Kanakee.
Capital One is laying off more than 1,100 workers at the former Discover headquarters in north suburban Riverwoods.
A new development at the southeast corner of Chicago's East Lakeview community would clear away a medical office building and replace it with a residential high-rise.
A play inspired by the story of Emmett Till has now been extended twice past its initial run at Collaboraction Theatre in Humboldt Park.
Jennifer Runyon, a Chicago native who became famous as an actress appearing in "Ghostbusters" and "Charles in Charge," died last week.
A woman was arrested on Sunday for firing multiple shots at the Beverly Hills home of Rihanna, Los Angeles Police Department officials say.
Actor and filmmaker Bruce Campbell told fans that he is in treatment for cancer and will cancel some upcoming public appearances.
Singer-songwriter Neil Sedaka, known for his hits like "Laughter in the Rain," "Breaking Up is Hard to Do" and "Calendar Girl," has died.
The dogs arrived in Chicago on Wednesday afternoon to receive care and support following the devastating storms that impacted Kankakee County Tuesday night.
According to the study published in Nature Medicine, researchers found older adults who took a daily vitamin biologically aged about four months slower than people who did not.
The international energy agency said it plans to release 400 million barrels of oil to bring down crude prices.
On Wednesday, CBP shared photos of Sunny Naqvi entering customs secondary inspection after her flight from Turkey last Thursday.
The agency is reminding homeowners to beware of workers who swoop in and offer fast fixes for low prices. They also advise not to give in to high-pressure sales tactics and insist you hire a contractor on the spot.
The National Weather Service so far has confirmed an EF-1 touchdown in Jasper County, Indiana.
It was alleged that the woman and five coworkers returned from Turkey to O'Hare and were held for 30 hours. Since then, DHS, along with the Cook County and Dodge County sheriff's offices, said that didn't happen.
Two separate child abuse cases in Lake County, Illinois, are prompting questions about the roles schools play in identifying warning signs and alerting authorities.
The family said Tuesday night's tornado leveled the couple's home.
Police said the two men, 32 and 33, were shot by an unknown person inside an apartment in South Austin on Wednesday evening.
Two separate child abuse cases in Lake County, Illinois, are prompting questions about the roles schools play in identifying warning signs and alerting authorities.
A Chicago senior citizen said his phone has been ringing off the hook with hundreds of unwanted spam calls that have made his beloved landline virtually unusable. New efforts in Springfield could bring real relief.
A proposed Illinois law hopes to create more oversight on private companies to protect consumers from skyrocketing utility prices.
The three women said they are working to make their way back home, but without any help from the U.S. State Department.
If you feel like you're drowning in a sea of text alerts and desperate email pleas for "just $5" this election season, you are far from alone.
Northwestern now has a seven-game winning streak against the Hoosiers.
Chicago's Jalen Smith converted two free throws with 1.4 seconds left in regulation to send the game into OT, and Tre Jones contributed 22 points for the Bulls
The Detroit Lions are losing another player, this time it's wide receiver Kalif Raymond, who is reportedly heading to the Chicago Bears.
Chicago, which had lost three in a row, including a 4-3 setback to Dallas on Sunday night, has now won all three meetings with Utah this season, with the teams' fourth and final game of the season scheduled for Thursday night.
The Chicago Bears have been busy bolstering their defense on the first day of free agency, signing linebacker Devin Bush Jr., safety Coby Bryant, and defensive tackle Neville Gallimore, according to reports.
A man was shot and killed on the street in the midday hours Wednesday in Chicago's West Garfield Park neighborhood.
Park rangers cited the four visitors, all from Illinois, for collecting and defacing park resources.
A woman has been charged in a road rage shooting that left someone injured this past weekend on the Dan Ryan Expressway.
A Lake County judge ordered a Fox Lake woman to remain behind bars on Tuesday, following her arrest on charges accusing her of abusing her 11-year-old son for years.
A 75-year-old man was due for a detention hearing Tuesday in a shooting that killed two women, ages 68 and 71, on Chicago's Far South Side this past weekend.