In the UChicago Forward update sent on Friday, November 5, the University reported 38 new cases of COVID-19, down from 39 last week. This week’s new cases had 117 close contacts.

The University’s surveillance testing program yielded five positive cases between October 28 and November 3 for a 0.52 percent positivity rate. As of Friday, the overall campus positivity rate is 0.24 percent. Currently, zero students are in on-campus isolation housing, while 19 students are isolating off campus.

This update also includes a video with information on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s recent endorsement of the recommendation from an advisory panel that children 5 to 11 years old be vaccinated against COVID-19 with a reduced dosage of the Pfizer–BioNTech pediatric vaccine. The video addressed common questions regarding the pediatric vaccine and emphasized the continued importance of widespread COVID-19 vaccination. It featured UChicago Medicine doctors Allison Bartlett, Monica Peek, and Daniel Johnson.

Comer Children’s Hospital at UChicago Medicine is now offering a COVID-19 vaccine clinic for patients ages 5 and up. Appointments are required, and anyone can schedule one by calling 773-834-8221. The COVID-19 vaccine will also be available during regularly scheduled pediatrician visits at Comer Children’s and at the Duchossois Center for Advanced Medicine.