The coronavirus story is developing quickly in Illinois. Here are updates from WGLT's newsroom and our partners at Illinois Public Radio, NPR, and The Associated Press.
You can also see (or add to) our list of cancellations, closures, and rescheduled events. Find all of our coverage at WGLT.org/Coronavirus.
McLEAN COUNTY CONFIRMS 2 NEW COVID-19 CASES
1 p.m. Tuesday, May 5
The McLean County Health Department announced two new COVID-19 cases on Tuesday,raising the county's number of confirmed cases to 104.
McLean County Health Department spokesperson Dion McNeal said the two patients include a woman in her 50s and a woman in her 20s. Both are at home isolating.
Currently, three of the patients are hospitalized and 13 remain in home isolation, while 85 patients have recovered. Three patients have died.
A majority of the confirmed cases in McLean County are in Bloomington (61), while 26 residents live in Normal. The other communities with multiple cases include Chenoa with 4, Heyworth with 3, and Hudson and Lexington, both with 2, according to the health department's mapthat tracks cases by ZIP code.
Coronavirus - Active Cases
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Also on Tuesday, the state of Illinois announced 2,122 COVID-19 cases and 176 deaths, including three Sangamon County women, all over age 70.
The Illinois Department of Public Health reports the state has 65,962 cases and 2,838 deaths from the coronavirus.
-- Eric Stock | WGLT
OSF MONITORING PROGRAM ADDS MORE PATIENTS
10 a.m. Tuesday, May 5
An OSF HealthCare home-monitoring program for those with coronavirus-like symptoms has nearly 300 patients in Bloomington-Normal and Peoria.
There were 275 participants in OSF's Pandemic Health Worker (PHW) program as of April 29, according to the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services. That's up from 196 on April 21, and 77 on April 13. People have to show symptoms or be at high risk to be enrolled.
OSF's PHW teams also are serving other communities in East Central and North Central Illinois, including Champaign-Urbana, Evergreen Park, Danville, Galesburg, Kewanee, Monmouth, Ottawa, Mendota, Streator, Pontiac and Rockford. OSF is expected to initially serve 8,400 people each month through its PHWs once they are in place each community.
— Ryan Denham | WGLT
HOW TO CASH YOUR STIMULUS CHECK WITHOUT PAYING FEES
9 a.m. Tuesday, May 5
The state is announcing new options for unbanked people to cash their federal stimulus check without incurring fees.
Wells Fargo, Chase, U.S. Bank, Fifth Third and First Midwest, and others, are willing to provide non-customers in Illinoisans with check-cashing options in order to ensure the funds go toward food, housing, and necessities, according to the Illinois Department of Professional and Financial Regulation.
Individuals interested in these options should contact the banks listed above, or email IDFPR at ILBanks@illinois.gov to set up an appointment.
The FDIC estimates that more than 22% of Illinois households are under or unbanked.
— Ryan Denham | WGLT
We’re living in unprecedented times when information changes by the minute. WGLT will continue to be here for you, keeping you up-to-date with the live, local and trusted news you need. Help ensure WGLT can continue with its in-depth and comprehensive COVID-19 coverage as the situation evolves by making a contribution.