UPDATED 12:15 P.M. | The rate of new coronavirus cases continues to slow in McLean County, while COVID-19 hospitalizations are mostly unchanged.
The McLean County Health Department (MCHD) announced 30 new coronavirus positive test results on Wednesday. That brings the county’s total of confirmed and probable cases to 13,634 since the start of the pandemic.
MCHD said 487 people are isolating at home, while 12,977 patients have completed their time in quarantine and are considered recovered, including 43 since Tuesday.
Bloomington-Normal hospitals remain 82% full, though the number of intensive care beds in use dropped to 65%, down from 73% the previous day. Twenty-four McLean County residents are hospitalized with COVID-19 symptoms and hospitals report 28 total COVID hospitalizations.
McLean County has reported 146 COVID-related deaths.
The county’s seven-day testing positivity rate dropped to 5.6%, while the cumulative positivity rate held at 6.5% based on more than 210,200 tests taken since the start of the pandemic.
The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) reported 3,751 additional coronavirus cases and 81 COVID-related deaths on Wednesday. The deaths include a Livingston County man in his 80s, a Logan County woman in her 80s, and a Tazewell County woman in her 80s.
Vaccines
MCHD administrator Jessica McKnight said more than 9,200 COVID vaccines have been administered in McLean County.
According to IDPH, 1,084 McLean County residents have received both vaccine doses. That makes up .63% of the county’s population, and ranks among the bottom third of Illinois counties. The statewide average is 1.14%.
McLean County officials have said their vaccination rates trail other counties because counties with higher COVID death rates got vaccines first.
IDPH has announced new vaccination clinics atJewel Osco and Hy-Vee locations for those in the Phase 1a and 1b priority groups that include health care employees, essential workers and people 65 and older.
MCHD also scheduled a vaccination clinic with Carle BroMenn Medical Center on Thursday at the Activity and Recreation Center in Normal.
The department said Wednesday it plans to hold three weekly vaccination clinics with Carle BroMenn. New clinics will be posted eash Thursday on the McLean County Health Department website.
MCHD officials expect the clinics will book quickly and they say it may take several months to vaccinate everyone who wants the vaccine.
"We ask for your patience as we get residents vaccinated," McKnight said. "To those not yet eligible for the vaccines, please know your turn is coming."
McLean County also hosts two weekly clinics at Grossinger Motors Arena in Bloomington for those who are eligible, but all appointments are filled at this time.
Coronavirus In McLean County
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