Chicago Department of Public Health Weekly Media Brief, 1/4/2024

January 4, 2024

CDPH Public Information     media.cdph@cityofchicago.org

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COVID Remains On The Rise in 2024

Hospitalizations related to COVID-19 are on the rise, moving Chicago and Cook County from the “Low” to “Medium” level based on metrics from the CDC. As of just before Christmas (the latest data available), 30 people on average are being admitted daily to hospitals in Cook County, an increase of 14% from the previous week.

Hospital admissions remain one of the most reliable indicators of COVID-19 activity. CDPH recommends that communities and individuals reference the hospital admission level for Cook County when making decisions about what preventive actions to take against COVID-19.

When hospital admissions levels are “Medium,” CDPH recommends that individuals:

  • Stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines.
  • Maintain ventilation improvements.
  • Avoid contact with people who have suspected or confirmed COVID-19.
  • Follow all isolation guidance if you have suspected or confirmed COVID-19.
  • Follow the recommendations for what to do if you are exposed to someone with COVID-19.
  • If you are at high risk of getting very sick, wear a high-quality mask or respirator (e.g., N95) when indoors in public.
  • If you have household or social contact with someone at high risk for getting very sick, consider self-testing to detect infection before contact, and consider wearing a high-quality mask when indoors with them.

Don't Fir-get: Recycle Your Holiday Tree

The City of Chicago Holiday Tree Recycling Program kicks off this Saturday, January 6, with a media availability at Lincoln Park! As part of this program, which is led by the Chicago Department of Streets and Sanitation in partnership with the Chicago Park District, residents are encouraged to bring their live and natural holiday trees to one of 27 designated locations through Saturday, January 20. Free mulch will also be available at six of these locations. All ornaments, lights, tinsel, and tree stands must be removed before the tree is dropped off, and plastic bags used for transport should also be removed prior to placing the trees in the corrals.

Learn more about the City's ongoing recycling efforts and view the tree drop-off and mulch pick-up locations at chicagorecycles.org. Contact grace.adams@cityofchicago.org with questions about Saturday's event.

Get SMART about New Year's Resolutions

New Year’s resolutions are an annual tradition, with common resolutions focusing on improving physical fitness, losing weight, improving mental health, reducing alcohol consumption, and quitting smoking. They’re started with good intentions, but without planning, often end when life gets in the way. NPR’s podcast Life Kit shares the SMART goal (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound) method for how to keep your resolutions in 2024. Listen to the January 1, 2024, episode of NPR’s Life Kit here.

“The New Year represents a time for us to take a step back and reassess our goals,” says CDPH Medical Director Dr. Ajanta Patel. "If your goal has long been to be healthier - for yourself or for your family - make 2024 the year to build physical and mental health into your daily and weekly agenda. Set a SMART goal and make tiny changes and small plans. You'll feel better faster than if you set a lofty goal you cannot reach."

If improving mental health or quitting smoking are on your list of resolutions, CDPH can help. Visit UnSpoken for City of Chicago Mental Health Services. For information on smoking cessation services, click this link.

New Healthy Chicago Podcasts

In the newest episodes of the Healthy Chicago podcast, Sarah Richardson, Program Manager in the Office of Substance Use at CDPH, joined Dr. Brian Borah to discuss the ongoing opioid crisis and how the newly launched public health vending machines can be helpful tools in reducing fatal overdoses. Also, Jesús Reyes, Director of Substance Use at Pilsen Wellness Center, sat down with Dr. Geraldine Luna to talk about opioid use disorder and overdose in the Latinx community in Chicago, its existing stigmas, and the resources that are available to help those struggling with opioid use disorder.

Listen to the episode on Harm Reduction, Naloxone/Narcan, and Chicago’s Public Health Vending Machines at chicago.gov/healthychicagopodcast and on all platforms:

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