Even though the COVID-19 surge seems to be flagging in Illinois, on Wednesday, September 8, public health officials announced the highest number of daily deaths in nearly seven months.

63 fatalities were reported that day, the most in a single day since February 19, 2021. This month, 241 lives were lost statewide due to COVID-19 so far. Most of the people were unvaccinated.

Coronavirus hospitalizations also hover near the seven-month high. 2,327 beds were occupied with COVID-19 patients on Tuesday night. However, as the daily new infections are flattening, we can hopefully expect fewer deaths and hospitalizations next month.

Source: Chicago Sun Times

Current COVID-19 situation in Chicago

The U.S. Center for Disease and Prevention now considers Illinois an area of high community transmission of the virus.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, Chicago has registered 308,073 cases, 5,846 of which have resulted in death.

Over the past week, there have been on average 466 new cases daily. That is 10% less than the previous week.

On the other hand, the number of daily hospitalizations has dropped to 35, compared to 37 the week before.

As of September 10, 61.5% of Chicagoans have received at least one dose of the coronavirus vaccine, while 56.2% have been fully vaccinated.

Chicago entry requirements

Chicago is open for both domestic and international visitors, but some entry measures are in place.

Unvaccinated domestic travelers coming from certain areas are advised to provide a negative COVID-19 test or quarantine for at least 10 days after arrival.

All international air passengers traveling to the U.S. must submit a negative COVID-19 test or documentation of recovery regardless of vaccination status.

The federal government has also suspended entry from several countries, including the U.K., China, India, and the European Schengen area.

How safe is to travel to Chicago now?

Traveling anywhere during the coronavirus pandemic can be risky if you don’t take the necessary precautions. And especially now with the more contagious Delta variant spreading around the world.

As Chicago has seen a rise in COVID-19 cases over the past month, you should be fully vaccinated when visiting the city.

Masks are required in all indoor areas, while social distancing and disinfecting are recommended.

Why visit Chicago in pandemic times?

Being one of the largest cities in the U.S., it offers everything you might want from an international city. From rich history, sublime architecture, art, and technology to fantastic food and entertainment.

According to Google trends, Chicago was one of the most popular places to visit in the U.S. in the first half of this August.

Chicago also boasts numerous city parks, beaches, and the famous Lakefront Trail, fantastic spots to get some exercise or connect with locals.

Even now during the pandemic, Chicago restaurants, bars, and attractions are open without capacity limits. You can also expect fewer crowds than usual, especially during the summer season.

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