No handshake for UIC graduates

May 9, 2009 (CHICAGO) Since direct contact is one of the ways flu viruses are spread, the university decided graduates would not get the traditional congratulatory handshake during commencement. Instead, they were just handed their diplomas as they crossed the stage at the UIC Pavilion.

There is still reason for concern as the virus continues to spread.

New numbers released Saturday show 421 confirmed cases in Illinois. According to the Illinois Department of Public Health, there were 28 cases Saturday than there were Friday.

One hundred eighty-seven of them are in Chicago, and118 are in suburban Cook County. Thirty-three are in DuPage County.