Why local COVID cases are going the wrong way

After jumping in early August, Chicago COVID cases declined steadily through much of September and October.

• But in recent weeks they've bounced back.

By the numbers: From Oct 21 to Nov. 4 the rate of daily Chicago COVID cases rose 32%.

• The city's daily case average is up to 382 as of Tuesday.

Why it matters: Health commissioner Allison Arwady says cases need to stay under 200 a day for at least two weeks to lift Chicago's indoor mask mandate.

• Plus low cases and a lifted mandate could make the holidays a lot more fun.

What's happening: Arwady speculates that "with the colder weather, people are going back indoors and hanging out inside more and there’s more opportunity for spread."

• Think about all those Halloween parties the last few weekends.

The good news: Chicago has finally hit the 65% mark when it comes to people 12 and older who've gotten at least one vaccine dose.

• The city's goal is 77%.

To that end: Arwady announced a new campaign Tuesday to get kids and city workers vaccinated at schools and clinics across the area.

• Today Chicago Public Schools launches four regional pediatric COVID vaccination sites with reservations available here. Other school vaccination sites here.
• CPS has canceled classes on Friday to make more time for students to get vaccinated, and the city is offering all municipal workers 2 hours of paid time off for vaccinations.
• The city has also launched a vaccination calendar showing events at mobile, pop-up and city sites around town.

Go deeper: More places for children's vaccinations per ChalkBeat Chicago.