COVID-related hospitalizations are at a near two-month high in McLean County. New cases also are up in the county and statewide.
The McLean County Health Department (MCHD) on Friday reported the death of a man in his 70s. He is the county's 403rd COVID-related death since the start of the pandemic.
The county had 189 new weekly coronavirus cases. The largest share was among people in their 40s and 50s.
In the last week, the county saw 8.9 new hospitalizations per 100,000 residents — up from 6.2 per 100,000 the previous week. Despite the increase, McLean County remains at low COVID transmission based on new cases and hospital admissions.
Tazewell County, and much of west-central Illinois, is at medium COVID spread. The Centers for Disease Control says for communities at medium or high level, anyone at high risk of getting sick or in close contact with someone at high risk should wear a mask indoors.
Thirty-eight Illinois counties are at an elevated level for COVID-19, up from 26 counties last week. McLean County’s rate of fully vaccinated is 63.8%, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health. The state rate is 65.9%.
The rate of vaccinations has increased for seven consecutive weeks in the county as the bivalent COVID booster has become widely available to target the latest omicron variant.
Starting next week, MCHD will offer free PCR COVID-19 testing weekdays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The department also offers vaccines at its offices by appointment, and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 9 at the ARC (Activity and Recreation Center) in Normal.
