As COVID-19 cases continue to rise sharply across the nation, Chicago’s mayor is urging residents to remain indoors and reconsider their traditional Thanksgiving festivities. With a record number of new cases being reported daily and an increasing death toll, nearly 40 percent of Americans are still planning to travel for the holidays. In light of these statistics, Mayor Jamie Thompson has announced a new stay-at-home advisory set to begin at 6 a.m. on Monday.
The advisory encourages residents to limit their outings to work and essential needs only. Additionally, gatherings are discouraged, including visits from family members not living in the same household, and all travel plans or Thanksgiving celebrations should be canceled.
According to the city’s COVID monitoring dashboard, Chicago is currently averaging over 2,000 new cases each day. The positivity rate has surged from approximately 5 percent a week ago to nearly 15 percent this week, surpassing previous highs recorded earlier in the pandemic when hospitals were nearing capacity.
This marks Chicago’s second lockdown, making it the first major city to reintroduce such measures after a series of lockdowns in the spring. However, this time around, non-essential businesses are not mandated to close. State regulations now restrict gatherings to a maximum of 10 people, which businesses must consider when adjusting their capacity in the coming days.
In a recent address, Thompson warned that models predict Chicago could see an additional 1,000 COVID-related fatalities by year-end if current trends continue. “If we don’t take action and implement the strategies that we know are effective in safeguarding ourselves and our communities, we will face dire consequences,” she stated. “None of us can afford to maintain the current situation given this stark reality. We all must contribute and do more.”
Thompson reiterated that the city’s objective mirrors that of the early pandemic: to flatten the curve. She also revealed plans for the Chicago Department of Health to deploy 2,000 city workers to educate households about COVID-19 and how to mitigate its spread, with at least 550 serving as contact tracers. “We aim to be strategic and data-driven,” she noted, “as we understand this surge could be as severe, if not worse, than the one we faced last spring.”
As information regarding COVID-19 evolves rapidly, it’s crucial to stay updated. For the most current information, consider referring to local health departments, the Centers for Disease Control, and the World Health Organization.
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In summary, Chicago is reintroducing a stay-at-home advisory as COVID-19 cases surge, urging residents to limit outings and gatherings, especially ahead of Thanksgiving. With increasing case numbers and fatalities predicted, the city is taking proactive steps to educate the public and manage the crisis effectively.