Arwady tests positive for COVID-19; Chicago’s top doctor has been public face of pandemic fight locally

Chicago’s top public health official has tested positive for COVID-19 for the first time since the start of the pandemic more than two years ago.

Dr. Allison Arwady has been the public face of the effort to fight coronavirus since the first known cases appeared in Chicago in early 2020.

She released a statement Thursday saying she tested positive the previous night and has “some cold-like symptoms and fever.”

She credited her mild symptoms to being fully vaccinated and boosted and said she’ll continue to work from home during her isolation.

“I want to remind all Chicagoans to get up to date on COVID-19 vaccines, which have proven to be incredibly effective at protecting against severe outcomes from the virus,” Arwady said in announcing her diagnosis. “We have made great progress against COVID-19, and I thank everyone who has made the decision to get vaccinated to protect themselves and their communities. But the virus is still out there and we have more work to do to put this pandemic behind us.”

Meanwhile, retiring Secretary of State Jesse White also tested positive for the COVID-19 virus Wednesday, according to a statement from his office.

“Secretary White has mild symptoms and is conducting work from home while in quarantine,” the statement said. “White is double vaccinated and twice boosted. He is following appropriate CDC and IDPH quarantine guidelines.”