The number of Chicagoans with new HIV and AIDS diagnoses in 2020 sunk to levels not seen since the 1980s, according to a new city report.The Chicago Department of Public Health, which released the report, cautioned that it’s possible numbers were underreported in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but Commissioner Dr. Allison Arwady said in a news release she’s proud of the progress the city has made in fighting HIV and AIDS.“But we must remain focused on addressing disparities, knowing that more than half of new HIV diagnoses still occur in Black Chicagoans and that other (sexually transmitted illnesses) are on the rise, especially among younger people.”About 55% of new HIV diagnoses and 57% of new AIDS diagnoses in 2020 were among Black Chicagoans.“But like so many other things in the year 2020, I think there really needs to be a big asterisk next to these numbers.”The new numbers come more than 40 years after AIDS emerged in the U.S. AIDS is the late stage of HIV, which is a virus that attacks the cells that help the body fight off infections.Among those living with HIV in Chicago, 61% achieved viral suppression in 2020 by consistently taking HIV medication — an 11% increase from the previous year."