Coronavirus

Dr. Sharjeel Ahmad, an associate professor of infectious diseases at the University of Illinois College of Medicine-Peoria, discusses what people should know about monkeypox coronavirus mutations.

COVID testing has become big business as more biomedical companies try to cash in on the high demand.

Coronavirus testing has made Reditus Laboratories one of the fastest-growing employers in central Illinois, and the man behind the company's success says it's about more than good timing. In the first of a two-part series on Reditus’ sudden rise, CEO Aaron Rossi has a unique blend of business interests that goes beyond the biomedical lab. There's orthotics, there's branding, and soon there may even be cannabis growing in his future.

If hospitalizations for COVID-19 continue to decline for the rest of the month, Gov. JB Pritzker plans to lift his executive order that mandates face coverings indoors by Feb. 28. The plan does not apply to schools.

As hospitalizations continue to drop, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker intends Wednesday to announce a lifting of a universal indoor masking order for most public places except for schools, a source familiar with the plan confirmed Tuesday.

Gov. JB Pritzker’s mandate for masks in schools was thrown into legal limbo late Friday after a Sangamon County judge voided his rules on both masking and mandated COVID-19 vaccines or regular testing for school staff — flashpoints in a bitter ideological fight over the governor’s pandemic management. But Pritzker vowed to escalate the matter to a higher court, asking for an expedited appeal on the ruling.

Dr. Ngozi Ezike is hopeful as the state's case rate continues declining after its Omicron peak.

The Tazewell County Health Department has been unable to provide hospitalization and home isolation figures since last Thursday. The department is only offering limited COVID data “until further notice” due to high volume.

Public health officials are rolling out more testing options and a new text notification tool for positive cases amid an alarming spike in COVID-19 in Greater Peoria.

The COVID-19 vaccine is making it possible for families to gather once again this holiday season. And it’s also one of the reasons those get-togethers could get uncomfortable.