CHICAGO (CBS) — It has been virtually three months since metropolis leaders dropped COVID-19 restrictions – however as we head towards summer season, consultants warn we might see extra COVID circumstances.
As CBS 2’s Sabrina Franza reported, Chicago is expected to change into an space with excessive COVID-19 threat as quickly as this week.
In the meantime, we’re additionally now listening to new studies of one other illness – monkeypox – with circumstances popping up all over the world and proper right here within the U.S.
Franza talked with Kiran Joshi, senior medical officer for the Prepare dinner County Division of Public Well being.
Monkeypox isn’t recognized outdoors of Africa, however as of Friday, there have been 80 confirmed circumstances worldwide, together with at the least two in the USA, and one other 50 suspected ones. The primary case was confirmed in Massachusetts final week, and authorities in New York have been investigating one other presumptive an infection. There haven’t been any infections reported in Illinois.
Though the illness belongs to the identical virus household as smallpox, its signs are milder. Individuals normally get well inside two to 4 weeks without having to be hospitalized, however the illness often is lethal.
Joshi mentioned monkeypox entails “flulike signs, fever, physique aches, maybe some higher respiratory stuff, after which there is a rash.”
Must be folks be involved about it? President Joe Biden mentioned the circumstances in Europe and the U.S. are “one thing to be involved about,” however Joshi emphasised, “I believe the danger to the general inhabitants may be very low.”
He predicts the outbreak will likely be contained.
“You do not see these massive outbreaks of a whole bunch or 1000’s of circumstances,” Joshi mentioned.
However more durable to comprise, after all, is the ever-changing coronavirus pandemic.
“We’re coping with a brand new subvariant that is much more infectious,” Joshi mentioned.
BA.2.12.1 is a subvariant of Omicron.
Chicago is predicted to hit a excessive transmission degree as outlined by the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention as early as this week.
“Whereas hospitalizations usually are not rising to the extent that we might skilled beforehand, they’re, nevertheless, nonetheless rising,” Joshi mentioned.
He suggested getting vaccinated, and boosted in the event you’re eligible.
“One in every of our major objectives right here is to guard the well being care system,” Joshi mentioned.
We did ask concerning the risk that Chicago would possibly reinstate its masks mandate. We’re informed it’s a risk – if hospitals change into too overwhelmed.
Proper now, there’s not pressure on Chicago hospitals.
