From October 22 to 28, UChicago reported 39 new cases with 194 close contacts. During this time, fewer than five students were in on-campus isolation housing while 35 students were isolating off campus. The surveillance testing found three positive cases between October  21 and 27, making the campus positivity rate 0.43 percent. 

The overall seven-day positivity rate for the city of Chicago is 1.6 percent, down from 1.9 percent the previous week.

UChicago students and employees now have the option to get COVID-19 booster shots if they are 18 years or older and live or work in health-care and school settings. It is recommended that students and employees consult with their primary care provider on whether they need a booster shot at this time. The University does not currently have a booster requirement.

Additionally, the email linked the City of Chicago’s “Halloweek” guidelines for staying safe during Halloween weekend.

The update also shared this week’s news that the Pfizer–BioNTech vaccine has been pending for approval for children aged five to eleven by a United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advisory committee. The vote on approval is set to happen as soon as next week. Final approval by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the FDA would make the vaccine widely available to this age group through primary care providers and vaccine sites in Chicago.