New Data Shows Chicago COVID-19 Infections, Tests By Zip Code
CHICAGO (CBS) — One of the most important issues during the Coronavirus pandemic is testing; health officials have said it's critical to know who's had the virus and who hasn't in order to decide when to begin reopening the economy. Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker has said the state needs to dramatically ramp up its testing efforts as the number of cases and deaths swells.
Now, new data obtained by CBS 2 shows which parts of Chicago have seen the highest levels of testing — and which haven't.
Chicago COVID-19 Testing
This map reflects the number of Chicagoans per 1,000 residents who were tested in a given zip code from the date of the first test through April 5. Cases are through April 12. People tested in Chicago but who weren't Chicago residents are not included. Some people received multiple tests, but each person is only counted once. Zip codes with less than 20 cases aren't included.
Please note that many of the test results did not have an address associated with them and are not included here.
Source: Chicago Department of Public Health
Many of the zip codes that have the most cases are also those the most tests. A lot of those areas are located on the city's South and West sides — predominantly black and brown areas that have seen a disproportionate number of COVID-19 deaths, CBS 2 reported last week.
Related: African Americans Make Up More Than 70 Percent Of Chicago's COVID-19 Deaths
But several North Side zip codes have a disproportionate amount of testing, according to data analyzed by CBS 2.
CBS 2 compared the number of tests and cases per 1,000 residents in each zip code. That analysis showed some zip codes that rank among the highest numbers of tests per 1,000 residents rank lower in terms of cases.
Ranking COVID-19 Tests and Cases By Zip Code
This map reflects the discrepancy between the number of Chicagoans per 1,000 residents in a zip code who were tested for COVID-19 and the number of confirmed cases per 1,000 residents.
People tested in Chicago but who weren't Chicago residents are not included. Some people received multiple tests, but each person is only counted once. Zip codes with less than 20 cases aren't included.
Please note that many of the test results did not have an address associated with them and are not included here.
Source: Chicago Department of Public Health
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On the South Side, zip code 60623 in Lawndale ranks 53rd for the number of tests per 1,000 residents, but ranks 23rd for most cases.
It's similar in Austin on the West Side, where zip code 60644 has the 4th most cases, but the 26th most tests.
But on the North Side, zip code 60657 in Lakeview has had the 32nd most tests but the 47th most cases.
It's even more dramatic in Streeterville, where zip code 60611 has had the 7th most tests of any zip code, but ranks 49th in terms of cases.
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