How Coronavirus Is Affecting Local Public Health Workers
As the number of coronavirus cases continues to tick up nationwide, local public health workers are faced with the challenging task of ensuring those at…
Ask The Newsroom: Confusion Over Masks And Coronavirus Protection
This week, The 21st show is answering listener questions about the coronavirus. We received a question at AskTheNewsroom.com from Kimberly, who wants to know why the general public is being told to not to use face masks while at the same time, we’re hearing health care workers need them: “Why is it that the masks work for…
What Do You Need To Know About Coronavirus? We’ve Got Answers.
As cases of coronavirus spread across the Midwest, we know there are lots of questions about it — including how to avoid getting sick. We also know…
Illinois COVID-19 Cases Grow To 11; Disaster Proclamation Declared
CHICAGO – Illinois now has 11 confirmed cases of COVID-19. On Monday afternoon, Governor JB Pritzker announced four new cases of the coronavirus in the state. He also formally declared a disaster proclamation. That opens up pathways to federal and state resources, including money and medical expertise. While the risk of getting coronavirus remains low, Pritzker…
How Health Care Providers In Champaign-Urbana Are Preparing For Coronavirus
URBANA – Health care providers in east-central Illinois say they’re prepared for the possibility of coronavirus coming to central Illinois. If someone’s sick enough — if they have a really high fever, if they have a really bad cough or chest pain — we’ll instruct them where to come. – Dr. Robert Healy OSF HealthCare’s…
Carle Hospital In Urbana To Participate In Statewide Coronavirus Surveillance Program
URBANA – Starting this week, some patients who present to the emergency department at Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana with flu-like symptoms will be tested for the coronavirus. Sample collection will be done at Carle, and testing will be conducted by the Illinois Department of Public Health, which is able to provide in-state testing for…
Rocky Rollout Of Health Insurance Worries Foster Families
After Rebecca and Bruce Austin gave birth to their daughter, they struggled to get pregnant again. So they signed up to become foster parents. “I wouldn…
University Of Illinois Tells Students In Italy To Return Home Now
URBANA – At the beginning of this semester, 137 University of Illinois students were studying in Italy. On Sunday, university administrators told them to leave the country as soon as possible. The same day, the Italian government said its coronavirus infections jumped 40% to 1,576 and deaths of infected people rose to 34.
How Heart Disease Can Strike Young Mothers
Most people think of heart disease as something that only happens in old age. That’s not always the case. But younger people may not recognize symptoms…
CU Public Health Says People Should Prepare For Possible Coronavirus Epidemic
The coronavirus has not reached epidemic proportions in U.S. communities. But some public health officials are calling for federal funding immediately to help public health districts prepare. Julie Pryde, administrator at the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District and a member of the Illinois State Board of Health, said local public health districts across the state have…
Needle Exchanges Slowed An HIV Crisis, Now Their Future Is Unclear
Five years ago, Indiana experienced one of the nation’s worst HIV outbreaks. Mike Pence was governor then, and he approved a needle exchange to keep the…
Illinois Public Health Officials Taking Steps To Limit Coronavirus Spread
SPRINGFIELD — With evidence that the coronavirus disease COVID-19 is spreading in several countries around the world, the Illinois Department of Public Health said it’s taking steps to limit any possible spread here. The virus is not spreading in communities in Illinois or the U.S. But CDC officials warned this week that Americans should prepare…
U Of I Student Isolated After Bacterial Meningitis Diagnosis
URBANA – The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign reported Friday that a student is being treated for bacterial meningitis, but there is a low risk of the illness spreading in the general population. That’s because the student lived in off-campus housing and has been isolated in a hospital during treatment. In a notice to the community,…
In Your Words: Healthcare Is Too Expensive And Confusing
We asked you, our listeners and readers, to share your concerns with healthcare costs. And the results are in.
How Lasers, Microscopes And Machine-Learning Could Help Improve Cancer Treatment
URBANA – Researchers at the Cancer Center at Illinois have developed a new technique aimed at improving the way cancer diagnoses are performed. The approach combines an infrared laser, a high-resolution optical microscope and machine-learning algorithms to generate high-resolution images paired with detailed chemical information about the cells within a patient’s tumor.