CHICAGO (CBS) -- Advocate Health Care announced Wednesday that it has decided to close its clinics inside Illinois Walgreens drugstore locations. The 47 clinics will all close on Thursday, Feb. 6. The hospital group said the closures will allow it to expand its virtual services and in-person care at its primary and urgent care locations.

Advocate Health Care, the largest provider of medical care in Chicago, is closing 47 clinics it has operated inside Walgreens stores for nearly a decade.

One or two medical office assistants work at each of the clinics, along with additional clinicians who support virtual care, and Advocate is working to find alternate roles for those employees,

Advocate Health is shuttering 55 clinics inside Walgreens stores in Illinois and Wisconsin, effective Feb. 6.

Walgreens Boots Alliance, headquartered in Deerfield, said it is "partnering closely with Advocate to navigate the transition."

The 47 Advocate Health Care urgent care clinics spanned the Chicago area, with locations across the city and multiple suburbs.

The closures will affect 47 locations inside Walgreens stores. What we know. Advocate Health Care announced that it will close all its Walgreens-based clinics in Illinois on Feb.

Deerfield, Ill.-based Walgreens operates retail locations across the United States, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The company is No. 6 on The PG 100, Progressive Grocer’s 2024 list of the top food and consumables retailers in North America.

Aurora Health Care will no longer operate clinics at Wisconsin Walgreens stores. The change will take effect Feb. 6.