Nearly one-third of new coronavirus cases in McLean County involve children under age 12, but overall cases are down significantly.
According to data from the McLean County Health Department (MCHD), the county averaged 31 daily cases in the last week. That's about half as many cases as the county saw one month ago, and the lowest weekly total since May 7, based on data compiled by WGLT.
The county has reported 217 coronavirus cases since Oct. 13; 71 of them involve children 11 and under, who are not yet eligible to receive the COVID vaccine. Forty-one percent of new cases are in children 17 and under.
MCHD reported two more COVID-related deaths since Tuesday. They were both men — one in his 40s and one in his 90s. Neither was associated with a long-term care facility.
There have been 12 COVID-related deaths in October. That matches September's death toll as the county’s highest since last winter when access to COVID vaccines was greatly reduced.
McLean County has reported 269 COVID-related deaths since the start of the pandemic.
Meanwhile, hospitalizations are down, with 14 McLean County residents hospitalized with COVID. That number was cut in half since last week. Carle BroMenn Medical Center and OSF St. Joseph Medical Center report they have 19 COVID patients receiving care.
Both hospital systems have indicated a vast majority of their COVID patients are not vaccinated.
McLean County reports 228 people are isolating at home and the county’s seven-day testing positivity rate inched up to 2%, matching the state mark. The county’s rate of fully vaccinated is 55.1%. That trails the state average of 56.4%.
