County Adds 42 COVID Cases; Positivity Rate Tops 5%

McLean County’s seven-day testing positivity rate for the coronavirus has topped 5% for the first time since a late summer surge tied to Illinois State University students’ return to campus.
The McLean County Health Department (MCHD) announced 42 new confirmed coronavirus cases on Tuesday as the rolling positivity rate rose to 5.4%, the county’s highest since Sept. 16.

Credit McLean County Health Department

Gov. JB Pritzker has said rising positivity rates across the state, including McLean County’s Region 2, are cause for concern as much of the state is battling a surge in new cases and hospitalizations. Region 2's positivity rate is now 7.5% and rising, according to the state. If it hits 8% and stays there for three straight days, new mitigations would be triggered.

McLean County reports 12 COVID-19 patients are hospitalized. None are in intensive care. MCHD said 347 patients are isolating at home and 3,819 people have completed their time in quarantine and are considered recovered. Twenty-one patients have recovered since Monday.

The county reports 34 people have died from COVID complications since the start of the pandemic. 

MCHD Administrator Jessica McKnight cautions against hosting indoor gatherings even as the weather turns colder to help prevent COVID’s spread.

“As we look forward to enjoying fall holiday celebrations it is important to remember that even small gatherings of families and friends can put people at increased risk for COVID-19,” McKnight said. “It is important, especially now we are seeing community spread of the virus, to take responsibility to protect ourselves, our families, friends, and communities from COVID-19 through extra precautions.”

The county’s cumulative positivity rate remains 4.3% based on more than 97,000 tests since the start of the pandemic.

The COVID testing site at the Interstate Center in Bloomington conducted 746 tests on Tuesday. The site is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. barring severe weather.