Chicago Public Schools asks students to take COVID tests as they return from winter break

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Getting back into the routine, Chicago Public School students returned from their winter break with, hopefully, a clean bill of health.

"Be cautious, be prepared and hope we get through this winter," said Thiru Ramaraj, a CPS parent.

Students and staff were asked to take CPS-provided free COVID-19 tests before returning to school on Monday.

"We did the test last night, but we went on vacation so I knew I wanted to test her regardless," said Beth Cole, another CPS parent.

Caution and preparation is helping keep the city at the medium COVID level, but that may change as more cases of the new omicron sub-variant XBB.1.5 are being detected at Rush University's Genomic Lab.

"It's the most contagious sub-variant yet, so I do expect, just like we have seen with all the contagious sub-variants, we will see more here," said Chicago Dept. of Public Health Commissioner Dr. Allison Arwady.

So far, the sub-variant accounts for about 6% of the cases in Chicago, but virologists say the numbers are likely to rise soon based on how quickly XXB.1.5 has spread on the East Coast.

"We think it will probably increase in prevalence at the same rate as on the East Coast, it just started earlier than it is here," said Rush University Genomic Epidemiologist Hannah Barbian.

While it's the most contagious sub variant, Chicago's top doctor said it is not more severe.

"I'm not worried at this point, based on what we are seeing, that it will overwhelm the hospitals or we don't have the tools available," Arwady said.

While several East Coast school districts are temporarily mandating masks again, it remains optional for CPS students, but several kids erred on the side of caution on Monday.

"Even though it makes you really hot because have your face covered, it prevents you from getting sick," said Navi Reddy, a third grade CPS student.

Arwady said masks mandates for schools and any indoor setting would only return if COVID levels are high and hospitals become overwhelmed.

CPS said Chicago public libraries have a limited supply if people need to get a test.