UPDATED 12:10 P.M. | Hospital bed capacity in Bloomington-Normal remains limited despite a steady decline in coronavirus cases.The McLean County Health Department (MCHD) reported 11 new confirmed or probableCOVID-19 cases on Wednesday.
The county also reported 182 COVID-positive people are isolating at home. The county’s count of active cases dropped below 200 for the first time since Oct. 4.
The health department also reported 14,060 people have been released from quarantine and are considered recovered.
Currently, 91% of Bloomington-Normal hospital beds are in use and 73% of intensive care beds have patients in them. Those percentages haven’t changed significantly despite a 60% drop in daily case from January (70 per day) to February (28 per day).
MCHD reported 21 McLean County residents are hospitalized with COVID-19.
The county’s death toll from COVID-19 remains 170.
The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) reported 44 additional COVID-related deaths on Wednesday, including a Ford County man in his 80s.
The county’s seven-day testing positivity rate dropped a half a point to 2.6% on Wednesday, to fall below the state average (2.8%). The cumulative positivity rate dipped to 6%, based on more than 239,500 tests taken since the start of the pandemic.
COVID vaccines
MCHD is currently not scheduling any clinics for first-dose COVID vaccines, citing limited supply. The department has scheduled three clinics this week for those who are seeking a second dose.
- Wednesday, Activity and Recreation Center (ARC) in Normal
- Thursday, Grossinger Motors Arena in downtown Bloomington (includes those from canceled Feb. 16 clinic)
- Friday, ARC
The county estimates close to 29,000 vaccine doses have been administered in McLean County, while 7,399 people have received both doses. The county’s percentage of fully vaccinated (4.3%) trails the state average (4.6%).
McLean County has delayed plans to expand eligibility for people under age 65 who have health complications, though some pharmacies may expand eligibility soon.
Coronavirus In McLean County
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