 
Thursday, January 21, 2021 | View in browser
Good evening,
Read below for an update on vaccine distribution, our next "Coronavirus Q&A," and the Community Member Relief Fund.
As a reminder, you can find the latest Evanston-specific COVID-19 updates on the City's website.
Vaccine Update
 The City continues to follow a phased approach to vaccine distribution to ensure those most vulnerable to COVID-19 are prioritized.
To date, the City has been allocated 7,600 COVID-19 vaccine doses and has distributed more than 6,450 doses to Evanston hospitals, healthcare workers, paramedics and first responders. The City will administer remaining vaccine doses on hand at closed vaccination events scheduled for tomorrow and early next week. Read below for details.
Where are we in the vaccine distribution process?
The City’s Health and Human Services Department has completed initial vaccinations of Phase 1a eligible individuals. This week, the City began vaccinations of Phase 1b individuals, starting with first responders and those 85 years and older. The City’s first vaccination event for individuals 85 and older is scheduled for this Friday.
How are vaccines being prioritized?
There are thousands of individuals in Evanston eligible to receive the vaccine as part of Phase 1b. To ensure that vaccine supplies, which are limited at this time, are prioritized for those most fragile and vulnerable to severe illness or complications from COVID-19, the City is currently distributing the vaccines it receives as follows:
- First responders and those 85 years or older (happening now)
- Individuals 75 years and older (tentatively beginning next week depending on the availability of vaccines)
- Individuals 65 years and older
- Residents of congregate care and shelter facilities
- Frontline essential workers, including teachers and daycare workers, public transit employees, grocery store workers, manufacturing workers, and others
If larger quantities of vaccine are released to the City, we may provide vaccines to multiple groups at the same time.
As a reminder, CVS and Walgreens continue to administer vaccinations to residents of long-term care facilities on site as part of a federal partnership.
Phase 1c will begin only after initial vaccines have been distributed to Phase 1b individuals. Learn more about the City’s vaccine distribution plan.
How will I be contacted when I’m eligible to receive the vaccine?
If you haven’t already, please complete Evanston’s Vaccination Contact Form (español). By completing the form, you are indicating that you are interested in receiving the COVID-19 vaccine, and will be contacted by the City’s Health and Human Services Department as soon as it is available to you. Please complete the form for every member of your household who lives or works in Evanston, even those under the age of 16.
When will people 65 years and older be able to receive the vaccine?
The City has already begun scheduling COVID-19 vaccinations for residents 85 years and older. Once this group receives initial vaccinations, the City will begin vaccinating those 75 years and older, followed by those 65 years and older. With a limited quantity of vaccines available, this approach ensures that those most vulnerable to COVID-19 are vaccinated first.
Are pharmacies and healthcare providers administering the COVID-19 vaccine?
As supplies increase, vaccines will become available at pharmacy locations and at local hospitals and healthcare providers. More information about these options will be provided as it becomes available. The City’s Health & Human Services Department is not overseeing vaccine distribution to pharmacies.
Why isn’t this process more seamless?
Administering vaccinations to an entire population will require patience and flexibility from all of us. This is a fluid and dynamic situation. As the state works to provide vaccinations to residents as quickly and efficiently as possible, it’s expected that distribution plans may change and be updated as the process evolves and as supplies increase. Please continue to follow the City of Evanston for the latest updates through this weekly newsletter.
 Coronavirus Q&A tomorrow
Learn about the benefits of COVID-19 vaccinations and the City's vaccine distribution process during the next "Coronavirus Q&A" tomorrow, Jan. 22 at noon. The live session will be hosted by Mayor Hagerty, with guests including Evanston Health and Human Services Director Ike Ogbo, Dr. Martin Siglin, M.D., AMITA Health, and Dr. Chethra Muthiah, M.D., NorthShore University HealthSystem. A recording will be available following the event.
View the live broadcast on City Channel 16 and on the City's Facebook page and YouTube channel.
 City establishes Community Member Relief Fund
The Evanston City Council approved the creation of a Community Member Relief Fund to provide relief to undocumented residents who do not qualify for General Assistance or Emergency Assistance programs.
Apply: Undocumented residents who have emergency needs due to the COVID-19 pandemic are encouraged to apply for the fund.
Donate: Residents interested in contributing to the fund can make a donation at cityofevanston.org/cmrfdonation.
 Parks & Recreation reminders and updates
Ice skating: The Robert Crown Community Center is back to offering indoor public ice skating. There is a limit of 25 skaters per session and face masks must be worn at all times while skating.
The City uses Rainout Line to keep residents informed when the outdoor ice rinks are open or closed. Sign up for text/email alerts today!
Sledding: As a reminder, tobogganing, skiing and snowboarding are prohibited at James Park, including at the large center hill. Those participating or spectating assume all risks for any property damages or injuries that arise from sledding.
Summer camp registration: Summer camp registration day is Sat., March 6. Stay tuned for the release of the 2021 Program Guide!
Coronavirus update
Situation Report
Below, you’ll find the latest COVID-19 data from the City’s Health and Human Services Department. Visit the City’s interactive COVID-19 dashboard (view on mobile) for information and metrics updated daily. You can also view IDPH Restore Illinois indicators for Region 10, which includes Evanston.
Confirmed daily cases decrease
 Chart does not include cases reported on Thursday, January 21.
Evanston’s seven-day moving average of confirmed daily cases decreased to 15.43 new cases per day, compared to 22.57 new cases per day a week ago. The seven-day average of new cases per 100,000 residents decreased in Evanston (146.99), remaining lower than Skokie (303.03), Chicago (234.41), Cook County (274), and Illinois (278.76).
Nine new COVID-19 cases were reported today in Evanston. The city has had 3,485 total confirmed cases to date, and 104 residents have died of illness or complications related to COVID-19.
Positivity rate decreases
The City’s seven-day moving average positivity rate continued to decrease, dropping to 1.21 percent, compared to 1.69 percent one week ago. As stated last week, this decrease in the positivity rate is at least partly due to a significant increase in testing at Northwestern University as students returned to campus. The positivity rate in Evanston remains lower than the state (5.4 percent) and county (8.6 percent). Local COVID-19 hospital admissions continue to be steady.
As a reminder, you can access free testing daily at the State's COVID-19 community-based testing sites, including the nearest Harwood Heights and Arlington Heights locations. Testing is also available at some CVS, Walgreens and Physicians Immediate Care locations. Call your primary care provider for inquiries about testing.
More news and events
In need of food assistance this month?
Emergency Food Pantry: The next event is on Wed., Jan. 27, from 10 a.m. to noon, at James Park. Evanston residents can pick up free, prepackaged boxes of food, including produce and protein. Register now.
Pop-Up Food Pantry: The City's next Pop-Up Pantry will take place this Sat., Jan. 23. Participants must qualify and register in advance by calling the Evanston Public Library at 847-448-8630.
Last chance to recycle trees and lighting
As a reminder, next week is the final week that City crews will pick up Christmas trees for recycling on residents' regular refuse pickup day. Holiday string lighting and extension cords can also be dropped off for recycling at the Levy Center, Ecology Center, and Robert Crown Center through Jan. 31.
Join the conversation on climate resiliency
The Evanston Public Library launched its “Climate Resilient Communities” Series on January 19. The virtual series, which extends through April, examines the global and local impact of climate change through presentations, film discussions, take-home kits, and more!
Get Engaged
Community Calendar
Commemorative display lights up the night sky
On Tuesday evening, Evanston lit up the sky in all nine ward to commemorate all those we've lost to COVID-19. This lighting display was in coordination with the national ceremony of remembrance in Washington D.C.
That’s it for today's e-news. Thank you for reading!
Sincerely,
The City of Evanston Communications Team
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