Champaign
Read more about the article Two years later, COVID breaks death records in Champaign County
This illustration, created at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), reveals ultrastructural morphology exhibited by coronaviruses. Note the spikes that adorn the outer surface of the virus, which impart the look of a corona surrounding the virion, when viewed electron microscopically. A novel coronavirus, named Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), was identified as the cause of an outbreak of respiratory illness first detected in Wuhan, China in 2019. The illness caused by this virus has been named coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Two years later, COVID breaks death records in Champaign County

As the third year of the COVID-19 pandemic begins, cases plunge after the deadliest month for Champaign County just this year. Nearly 62,000 cases.…

Continue ReadingTwo years later, COVID breaks death records in Champaign County
Read more about the article Latest hospital safety grades released, area hospital withholds data from national surveyLeapfrog
Carle Foundation Hospital declined to provide safety information to Leapfrog, a group of national experts that surveys thousands of hospitals to produce a safety grade and measure against national medical standards.

Latest hospital safety grades released, area hospital withholds data from national survey

One area hospital's safety grade has declined since the pandemic began, and another withheld quality of care information from the organization.

Continue ReadingLatest hospital safety grades released, area hospital withholds data from national survey
Read more about the article ‘Wolf in sheep’s clothing’: Cannabis workers describe pushback against unionization effortsLeafly
Jobs in the cannabis industry have grown by 161% in the last four years. (Illustration: Joshua Titus for Leafly)

‘Wolf in sheep’s clothing’: Cannabis workers describe pushback against unionization efforts

Ramy Akram-Ahmed, a wellness advisor at Sunnyside Cannabis Dispensary in Champaign, Illinois, made $17 an hour while the parent company of Sunnyside, Cresco Labs,…

Continue Reading‘Wolf in sheep’s clothing’: Cannabis workers describe pushback against unionization efforts
Read more about the article West Urbana residents criticize safety, impact of University’s plans to install novel nuclear reactor system
Image Source: USNC

West Urbana residents criticize safety, impact of University’s plans to install novel nuclear reactor system

The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign’s proposal for deploying a micro nuclear reactor in west Urbana has sparked concern among local residents, who are…

Continue ReadingWest Urbana residents criticize safety, impact of University’s plans to install novel nuclear reactor system
Read more about the article Urbana says “no” to license plate readers, but Champaign says “yes” in effort to reduce gun violence
A portion of the proposed automatic license plate readers in Champaign, bordered by light blue lines. Screenshot from Champaign study session document.

Urbana says “no” to license plate readers, but Champaign says “yes” in effort to reduce gun violence

Although Champaign voted in favor of implementing automated license plate readers (ALPRs) for $240,500 last month, Urbana rejected its $54,000 idea about a month…

Continue ReadingUrbana says “no” to license plate readers, but Champaign says “yes” in effort to reduce gun violence
Read more about the article County COVID breakthrough cases undercounted, but university offers more accurate numbersMcKinley Health Center website
McKinley Health Center on the University of Illinois campus.

County COVID breakthrough cases undercounted, but university offers more accurate numbers

Because the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) only requires healthcare administrators to report severe infections of COVID-19 among the fully vaccinated, the true number and percentage of vaccine breakthrough cases infections in Champaign County and across the nation is significantly undercounted, public health experts say. Data from the University of Illinois shows that breakthrough cases — severe and mild — are much larger than than the state numbers. Since May, 75.9% of, or more than three out of four, positive tests belonged to fully vaccinated students or staff. 

Continue ReadingCounty COVID breakthrough cases undercounted, but university offers more accurate numbers
Read more about the article The story behind the race to test for COVID-19 at the University of IllinoisUniversity of Illinois
The logo for the University of Illinois's COVID-19 SHIELD saliva-based testing.

The story behind the race to test for COVID-19 at the University of Illinois

It was late the evening of April 22, 2020 when Martin Burke, a then 44-year-old professor of chemistry, received a phone call from the university provost. The provost, Andreas Cangellaris, requested that Burke develop a COVID-19 testing program for the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign campus.  Over the next week, Burke gathered eight more team members, forming the founding members of what was known as the SHIELD team. The first SHIELD meeting was held on April 30, 2020, just eight days after the Provost’s call.

Continue ReadingThe story behind the race to test for COVID-19 at the University of Illinois
Read more about the article Local Canada geese causing issues, spreading into more human-populated areas across Champaign-Urbana

Local Canada geese causing issues, spreading into more human-populated areas across Champaign-Urbana

Geese invading grassy and populated areas are causing residents to ask both the Champaign and Urbana Park Districts to manage the geese population better. However, others in the area are trying to get rid of the geese humanely.

Continue ReadingLocal Canada geese causing issues, spreading into more human-populated areas across Champaign-Urbana
Read more about the article University of Illinois dorm maintenance relies on facility staff responses to thousands of requests, lack annual inspectionsDarrell Hoemann
Illinois Street Residence (ISR) Halls, exterior (1010 W Illinois St, Urbana, IL 61801) on Wednesday, December 15, 2021. photo by Darrell Hoemann/C-U Citizen Access

University of Illinois dorm maintenance relies on facility staff responses to thousands of requests, lack annual inspections

The university has a total of 37 student housing options: 24 regular dorms and 13 Private Certified Housing options. “A search for one month produced more than 800 Maintenance Inspector Weekend Logs, 2,400 Maintenance Request Database entries, and 3,000 work orders in the database,” University of Illinois Chief Records Officer Kristen Ruby stated in an email.

Continue ReadingUniversity of Illinois dorm maintenance relies on facility staff responses to thousands of requests, lack annual inspections