COVID-19 at a Glance

For more detailed data describing the pandemic in Chicago, please visit the COVID Daily Dashboard.

All data presented on this page, except where otherwise noted, are available through the Chicago Data Portal.

Testing of Chicago Residents

There are several different types of tests that can be used to determine if someone has or has had COVID-19. The Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) counts the number of Chicago residents tested based on molecular tests (PCR) because they identify current COVID-19 infections. Beginning on February 8, 2021 antigen tests have been added to the data, including for historical dates. These tests also identify current COVID-19 infections and their use has been increasing over time.

This graph shows the total number of tests done (gray bars), even if someone has been tested multiple times. The test positivity rate (blue line) is the number of positive tests divided by the total number of tests done on a particular day. The number of tests and test positivity are averaged over 7 days to smooth out the dips that occur when testing numbers decrease on weekends. It can take several days for laboratory results to be reported to CDPH.

Cases

A case is a Chicago resident who has a positive PCR or antigen test.

The bars in this graph show the number of cases who have tested positive per day based on the day that they were tested, called the specimen collection date.

The line is the average number of cases per day based on the past 7 days. Using an average smooths out the dips that occur when testing numbers decrease on the weekends.

COVID-19 has impacted age, gender and race-ethnicity groups in Chicago differently. By monitoring the demographics of cases, CDPH can provide resources where they are needed most. For detailed information by age, gender and race-ethnicity, please visit the COVID Daily Dashboard.

Severe Outcomes

Many COVID-19 cases have no symptoms or mild illness. However, by looking at severe outcomes, such as those who are hospitalized or die, we are measuring those people who become very sick.

The first graph shows the number of Chicago resident cases who enter the hospital on each day. The line is the average number of hospitalizations per day based on the past 7 days.

The second graph shows the number of deaths that occur among Chicago resident cases each day. The line is the average number of deaths per day based on the past 7 days.

Hospital Capacity

Chicago hospitals are required to report bed and ventilator capacity, availability and occupancy to CDPH daily for all patients regardless of whether they live in Chicago. This ensures that the healthcare system in Chicago is able to keep up with the demand for services. The number in the center of each graph is the number of COVID-19 patients. This includes patients with laboratory confirmation of COVID-19 and those admitted with suspected COVID, but for whom a test result is pending.

Acute non-ICU beds are hospital beds not in the Intensive Care Unit. ICU beds are those in the Intensive Care Unit. These patients tend to be sicker. Ventilators are machines that help people breathe if they can't breathe on their own. 

Capacity is the total number of beds or ventilators, the number occupied plus the number available. Some of the hospital beds and ventilators are being used by those with COVID-19, but some are being used by those with other conditions (non-COVID-19).

For additional hospital capacity details, please visit the Hospital Capacity page.