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WGLT's reporting on the coronavirus pandemic, which began in McLean County in March 2020.

McLean County Sees 16th Death Tied To COVID; New Single-Day Record For Cases

McLean County Health Department sign
Staff
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WGLT
A woman in her 60s is McLean County's first COVID-related death since early July.

A McLean County woman in her 60s has died after contracting COVID-19. She is the county's 16th coronavirus-related death.
McLean County health officials also reported a new one-day record of 38 new coronavirus cases on Monday.

The woman is McLean County's first COVID-related death since early July. The bulk of McLean County's 16 deaths were earlier related to a single nursing home: Bloomington Rehabilitation and Health Care Center.

The McLean County Health Department (MCHD) did not release information about the woman’s case, only to say it was not tied to a long-term care facility. She was one of 12 deaths statewide announced Monday by the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH).

There are six people hospitalized in McLean County with COVID-19, with one person in the ICU. The new batch of cases mark a new seven-day record of 131 cases. The county also has reached a new high mark with 142 active cases.

Currently, 136 patients are isolating at home and 618 patients have been released from isolation and are considered recovered.

The county’s cumulative positivity rate rose slightlyto 2.2%, while its seven-day positivity rate increased to 2.1%, still below state and national averages.

MCHD also indicated nearly 7% of the county’s COVID cases have been asymptomatic throughout their isolation.

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McLean County Health Department Administrator Jessica McKnight said more coronavirus patients have had a greater number of people they've come in contact with than what the health department saw at the start of the pandemic.

“We definitely are seeing more people be active, be out and about and they definitely have more contacts, so for us it’s more time consuming in contact tracing,” said McKnight, adding most who test positive for the coronavirus have around 10 contacts to trace for possible COVID exposure.

“We have over 100 active cases now and if each of those cases has 10 contacts, that’s a lot of individuals to be keeping in touch with,” McKnight said.

MCHD is hiring more contact tracers. The state is paying for them.

McKnight said the department continues to discourage holding or attending large gatherings, since they are high risk for spreading the virus. She said anyone who attends a party or large gathering should be tested for COVID-19 within five to seven days.

The drive-thru testing site at the Interstate Center in Bloomington is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

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.

Ryan Denham is the digital content director for WGLT.
Eric Stock is the News Director at WGLT. You can contact Eric at ejstoc1@ilstu.edu.
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