The Chicago Division of Public Well being on Friday urged COVID-19 precautions in areas of the nation thought-about medium or excessive threat by the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention because it unveiled new journey advisory suggestions to align with federal pointers.
CDPH issued a information launch, explaining it adjusted Chicago’s journey advisory to match the CDC’s county stage steering, which provides extra weight to hospitalizations and hospital capability, moderately that strictly case numbers. Beneath the brand new protocols, counties are both thought-about low, medium or excessive threat for COVID transmission.
In medium threat areas, folks ought to “take into account carrying a masks in indoor public areas,” in keeping with well being officers. Whereas in communities deemed excessive threat, persons are suggested to put on a masks in such settings.
Those that are age 5 or older and are not updated with COVID vaccinations ought to keep away from touring to areas listed as excessive threat, in keeping with the suggestions. Unvaccinated people who determine to journey ought to observe CDC steering upon returning to Chicago, which incorporates quarantining for five days following journey and taking a COVID check 3 to five days after returning.
Based on the newest replace of the CDC’s county-by-county neighborhood ranges map, 8.9% of counties in Puerto Rico and the U.S. have been categorized as medium or excessive threat.
Most states have low COVID-19 ranges, in keeping with CDPH, however some states, comparable to Montana and Kentucky, have giant clusters of medium-to-high COVID-19 ranges.
Elements of the Midwest are experiencing troublesome metrics.
Six Michigan counties, all within the higher northwest portion of the state across the Traverse Metropolis space, have excessive COVID-19 ranges, as proven on the CDC’s map.
Dr. Allison Arwady, commissioner of the Chicago Division of Public Well being, beforehand stated that even vaccinated people ought to control the town’s COVID transmission maps for the remainder of the U.S., and will deliver their playing cards with them after they journey.
“There are locations that may proceed to require it,” she stated. “I might encourage you once you journey to pop a kind of at-home COVID check packs proper in your bag.”
All vacationers are inspired to be up-to-date on COVID vaccinations, and to self-monitor for signs of the virus. Chicagoans are additionally inspired to pack an at-home COVID check to be used if signs develop whereas touring.
