Chicago’s COVID-19 risk level rises for first time in a year as hospitalizations soar

About 12.6% of Chicago residents are up to date on their COVID-19 vaccines, according to city data. (Manuel Martinez/WBEZ file)

For the first time in nearly a year, Chicago’s COVID-19 risk level has been raised to medium as hospitalizations because of the virus soar.

An average of 34 city residents are hospitalized with the virus daily, and COVID-19-related hospitalizations are up nearly 14% over the last week, according to city data.