January 27, 2022

Clinic Updates Amid COVID Surge

Pictured above is Director of Clinical Services Emily Hendel, standing ready scheduled drive-through COVID-19 tests (available via our back door) on an especially frigid January day.

Despite the significant surge of COVID-19 in Chicago following the holiday season, we have fared pretty well here at CommunityHealth. Though we did see infection rates rise among our patients, staff, and volunteers, we have been able to maintain the necessary services our patients need.

We have not adjusted the ratio of in-person to telemedicine appointments during this time and do not foresee curtailing any onsite services in the future. Our commitment to overcoming staff shortages so that we can maintain services helps to lessen the burden on already-crowded local hospitals during this challenging time.

Currently, 75% of our patients are fully vaccinated, and 29% have also received a booster. We continue to offer both vaccines and testing (rapid and PCR) daily at CommunityHealth. Vaccine clinics are held twice per week, in addition to vaccines administered on demand during primary care appointments.

Winter is always difficult, and the Omicron variant has presented new challenges this year. Our rising vaccination rate continues to be a beacon of hope, though, as we not only address COVID-19 but continue to be a full-service medical home to our patients every day.