The Chicago Park District says it plans to reopen lakefront spaces as coronavirus cases and positivity rates decline. | Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Sun-Times file
The reopening plans are in response to sustained declines in COVID-19 positivity rates and cases.
The Chicago Park District announced plans Tuesday to gradually reopen the city’s lakefront, playgrounds and indoor swimming pools.
The Park District will begin opening public access points to parkland east of Lake Shore Drive as snow removal and clean up from recent storms allow.
“During the upcoming weeks, the Chicago Park District will also unlock gates and prepare all 500-plus outdoor playgrounds and nature play spaces to reopen,” according to a statement from the park district. “In addition, the Chicago Park District will reopen its indoor swimming pools to offer limited aquatics programming during its spring session.”
State health officials on Monday reported the number of new COVID-19 cases and tests dropped to levels that haven’t been seen since last summer.
Officials announced 1,246 new and probable cases of COVID-19, marking the smallest daily caseload reported since 1,076 cases were reported on July 28. The number of tests also dropped to 37,361, the lowest figure recorded since 35,930 new tests were announced on Sept. 14, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health. Officials also announced 34 virus-related deaths.
The statewide seven-day positivity rate remained below 3% for an eighth straight day.
Source:: Chicago Sun Times
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