Why local COVID cases are going the wrong way
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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.