The McLean County Health Department (MCHD) on Thursday announced 36 new coronavirus cases in the department's first daily COVID report in nearly two months. The day before, MCHD said would resume COVID-19 updates to the media each weekday given the recent rise in cases.
The 36 positive tests were returned from a batch of about 1,000 tests overnight. According to the health department, eight McLean County residents are hospitalized with COVID. That is unchanged from Wednesday. Bloomington-Normal hospitals report they have 13 patients under their care.
MCHD said 141 people are isolating at home, an increase of 30 from Wednesday, while six people have completed their time in quarantine since Wednesday. County data show 18,403 McLean County residents are considered recovered after contracting the coronavirus since the pandemic began.
The county has announced 241 COVID-related deaths.
McLean County’s seven-day testing positivity rate rose to 3.1%,the highest rate since May 19. The county’s cumulative positivity rate is 4.8% based on more than 388,100 tests conducted since the start of the pandemic.
Vaccinations
Meanwhile, nearly 170,000 COVID vaccines have been put in people’s arms in McLean County, based on data from the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH). More than 84,200 McLean County residents are considered fully vaccinated.
The county’s rate of fully vaccinated (48.7%) trails the state average of 50.7%.
“Vaccination is the most significant public health action to help us end the COVID-19 pandemic," said MCHD administrator Jessica McKnight. “We need more people vaccinated. High vaccination coverage will reduce the spread of the virus and prevent new variants from emerging.”
Thursday is the last day for vaccinations at the health department’s clinic at Grossinger Motors Arena in Bloomington. The department has other mobile clinics scheduled in the coming weeks, including a clinic with the Bloomington-Normal NAACP on Saturday at Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church. Future clinics are planned at Center for Hope Ministries and Western Avenue Community Center in Bloomington
Vaccine incentive
The health department said the McLean County Fair has offered an incentive to people who get the COVID vaccine at the fair.
MCHD said the fair will give those who get the vaccine on site the option of two free tickets to any grandstand event, or two carnival ride arm bands.
“Health and safety are top priorities for the McLean County Fair,” said fair manager Mike Swartz.
Vaccines will be available at the fair in Bloomington from 1-7 p.m. Aug. 4-7.
