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 SEES NO NEW COVID-19 CASES
2:55 p.m. Wednesday, April 29
McLean County health officials announced no new COVID-19 cases on Wednesday.
The county’s total of confirmed cases remains at 94. Ten patients remain in isolation, while one is hospitalized. A vast majority of patients have recovered. Three patients have died.
The McLean County Health Department hopes expanded COVID-19 testing at the drive-thru site in Bloomington will boost testing numbers.
County Health Department Director Jessica McKnight said the department is trying to get that message out that critical infrastructure workers like grocery store and restaurant employees no longer have to show symptoms.
”We are putting that on social media, working with our media partners to promote this,” McKnight explained. “The (McLean County) Emergency Management Agency, they are also doing a really good job of getting that information out to the public via their social media and then just using any chance we have where we are interacting with the public.”
The testing site at the McLean County Fairgrounds has been running well below capacity since it opened last month. It is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Illinois surpassed 50,000 COVID-19 cases on Wednesday with the addition of 2,253 more cases and 92 deaths. The state currently has 50,355 cases and 2,215 deaths.
-- Eric Stock | WGLT
CONNECT TRANSIT EXTENDS NO-FARE COLLECTION
10:30 a.m. Wednesday, April 29
Connect Transit riders won't have to pay fares through at least June 7.
The extended suspension of fare collection includes Connect Transit fixed-route bus service and Connect Mobility paratransit service.
“We continue to look at ways to eliminate the physical contact required between riders and bus operators to keep this essential service as safe as possible during the COVID-19 pandemic,” Connect Transit General Manager Isaac Thorne said in a statement. “I also want to thank our bus operators for their exceptional service during this time.”
— Ryan Denham | WGLT