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

County's COVID Positivity Rate Moves Higher Into 'Warning' Level

Testing site on the Quad
Emily Bollinger
/
WGLT
More than 2,000 COVID-19 tests have been administered on Illinois State University's campus since classes resumed Aug. 17.

McLean County’s testing positivity rate ticked up higher into the warning zone Thursday, as Illinois State University reported 57 more students have contracted COVID-19.

Countywide, there were 56 new cases reported Thursday. There are now a record 496 active cases in McLean County, the health department reported. That includes three hospitalized people (one fewer than on Wednesday) and 493 others who are isolating at home.

Of the county’s 56 new cases, 48 of them are college-aged people between the ages of 18 and 29, said the health department. ISU said Thursday that 410 students have tested positive, an increase of 57 in just one day.

The county’s testing positivity rate (seven-day average) is now 8.4%. That, coupled with the total number of cases, is likely to push McLean County into “warning” status for the state’s county-level risk metrics. That does not automatically trigger new regional mitigations, but it could prompt local leaders to enact their own measures.

Coronavirus - Testing Positivity Rate
Infogram
The McLean County Health Department (MCHD) said Thursday it “continues to monitor several key indicators that measure the health burden of COVID-19 and capture our county’s ability to respond. The target indicators include new cases, number of deaths, positivity rates, testing, and hospital availability.”

“We continue to keep a close eye on these data indicators and are sharing situational updates with our local leaders to help them make informed decisions about implementing additional precautions,” said MCHD Administrator Jessica McKnight.

Meanwhile, testing remains available at several locations in McLean County.

  • Interstate Center, Bloomington. Open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. No symptoms needed. Managed by Reditus Labs.
  • Chestnut Family Health Center, 702 W. Chestnut St., Bloomington. Open 1-4 p.m. Mondays and 9 a.m. to noon Fridays. Call (309) 557-1412 to schedule an appointment. No symptoms needed. Free and open to any McLean County resident.
  • Health department testing on Thursdays in Colfax, LeRoy, and Heyworth. Location rotates every week through September. See full schedule.
  • Walmart in Normal. Only available on select days. See schedule.
  • Sports Enhancement Center in Bloomington. Make an appointment.

For months, the Interstate Center was the primary testing option in Bloomington-Normal. But so far in August, there have been a record 3,500-plus tests administered elsewhere in McLean County, including at Illinois State and Illinois Wesleyan universities.

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Ryan Denham is the digital content director for WGLT.
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