Merck says it has asked the Food and Drug Administration to authorize emergency use of its experimental anti-viral pill to treat COVID-19 in adults
Experts are once again weighing in on questions that have surfaced since the start of the coronavirus pandemic.
Plus, Chicago's travel advisory is set for yet another update Tuesday.
Here's what you need to know about the coronavirus pandemic across Illinois today:
Who Can Get a COVID Booster Shot Right Now? A Breakdown of Who is Eligible
While many additional people could soon become eligible for COVID vaccine booster shots, pending authorization from federal regulators, who is currently eligible to receive the added dose?
Last month, the FDA authorized booster shots of Pfizer’s vaccine for older Americans and other groups with heightened vulnerability to COVID-19.
That authorization did not apply to those who received the Moderna or Johnson & Johnson vaccines, but the Food and Drug Administration's panel of experts is expected to evaluate boosters for both Moderna and J&J this week to determine if they will recommend them for emergency use.
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In addition to the Pfizer authorization, officials have also cleared booster doses of both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines for people with weakened immune systems.
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Chicago Travel Advisory Update Delayed Due to Holiday Weekend
Chicago's travel advisory was slated to be updated Tuesday afternoon, but city health officials said a delay in data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention due to the long holiday weekend has delayed the city's update.
"Our weekly COVID Travel Advisory is delayed this week because updated CDC COVID data wasn't available late Monday because of the federal holiday," the department posted on social media. "Once the most recent data is available, the travel advisory will be updated later today (Oct. 12) or Wednesday (Oct. 13)."
The advisory, updated weekly, dropped last week to 47 states and three territories, as Connecticut was removed from the city's warning list, officials announced.
Read more here.
How Long After Exposure Do COVID Symptoms Appear? Here's What Doctors Say
COVID-positive individuals have reported experiencing a fever, cough, shortness of breath and many other symptoms associated with the virus.
But how long does it take for symptoms to appear once a person has been exposed? And when is COVID the most transmissible?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the incubation period, the time from exposure to when one develops symptoms, ranges from two to 14 days after the initial exposure. Scientists caution, however, "the period of infectiousness" for COVID-19 is not yet known with certainty.
Read more here.
Businesses Cited for Failing to Comply With Chicago Mask Mandate
At least five businesses were cited over the weekend for failing to comply with Chicago's mask mandate, city officials said Tuesday.
Chicago's Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection said it conducted 87 investigations from Oct. 7 through Oct. 10, with 10 citations issued at five businesses for failing to abide by the city's mask mandate. Each business was given two citations for violating the health order requirements, officials said.
Vaccination Events in Chicago Tuesday
The Chicago Department of Public Health offers vaccines at pop-ups and special events throughout the city each week. Here's a look at Tuesday's events:
- CDPH Greater Lawn Immunization Clinic: 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
- CDPH Uptown Immunization Clinic: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
- CPS Ariel Elementary School: 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
- CPS Back of the Yards High School: 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
- CPS King High School: 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
- GAGDC Food Stability Pop-Up: 10:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
- CPS Tanner Elementary School: 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
- 48th Ward Church: 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
- McDonald's: 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
- Chicago State University: 12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Moderna, J&J Booster Shots: What to Know as FDA Panel Prepares to Meet
With additional booster shots nearing an important milestone this week, what will that mean for those who could soon become eligible?
The Food and Drug Administration's panel of experts is expected to evaluate boosters for both Moderna and Johnson & Johnson later this week to determine if they will recommend them for emergency use.
Last month, the FDA authorized booster shots of Pfizer’s vaccine for older Americans and other groups with heightened vulnerability to COVID-19.
Both Moderna and Johnson & Johnson have submitted requests for emergency use authorization of their booster shots of the COVID vaccines.
Read more here.
New Owners Revive Iconic Guthries Tavern in Lake View
The pandemic decimated tens of thousands of bars and restaurants across the country, including a popular tavern in Chicago's Lake View neighborhood.
The former owner of Guthries Tavern announced in July that the watering hole at Addison Street and Lakewood would close permanently because of COVID-19 restrictions.
To the surprise of neighbors and longtime customers, the bar reopened under new ownership Friday with the same name and aesthetic inside, along with a few upgrades.
Read more here.
