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

COVID-19 Hitting Minorities Harder In McLean County

Jessica McKnight
Eric Stock
/
WGLT
McLean County Health Department administrator Jessica McKnight will take part in a media briefing on Friday afternoon.

The McLean County Health Department on Friday reported seven new cases of COVID-19, bringing its total to 38.
This follows the biggest single-day surge in cases on Thursday, when the county reported 11 new cases.

According to the MCHD website, 23 of those patients remain in quarantine, while seven have fully recovered. Six remain hospitalized and one patient remains in intensive care. Two have died. 

The department’s communicable disease supervisor, Melissa Graven, said the recent spike in cases appears to be a reflection of increased testing and increased prevalence of the coronavirus in the community. 

"We are just starting to see statistically the presence of COVID in our community," Graven said. 

COVID-19 By Race

The county is reporting cases by race and ethnicity for the first time, though the data is incomplete. Eight cases are listed as unknown, while 17 are white, 12 are black, and two are Hispanic.

Graven said the disproportionate number of African-Americans contracting COVID-19 compared to the general population caught the department's attention.

“We are strategizing in our efforts to see communications about prevention,” Graven said. “I think it’s too early to say why we are seeing that but it’s definitely a trend that was noticed and we are seeking to address.”

Graven said the department needs to make sure that its prevention messaging is getting out to everyone in the community.

“It’s a really complex issue that we are trying to figure out the best way we can solve,” Graven said.

Graven said the department will try to boost its prevention outreach, including social distancing and hand washing.

Testing Tapers

Mobile COVID-19 testing at the McLean County Fairgrounds appears to have tapered. After averaging 112 over the first five days, 87 people were tested Thursday, though it’s still not clear when or if eligibility will be expanded or how long the testing will continue there.

McLean County Health Department Administrator Jessica McKnight said the department is involved in “ongoing communications” with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Illinois Department of Public Health, but it’s not clear who will make the call on expanding testing.

“What we had heard is the request would come from the Illinois Department of Public Health and the regional site to HHS and then it’s still not up to Illinois Department of Public Health or the locals to make the decision, (it’s) just to make the request,” McKnight said.

A spokesperson for the state of Illinois said the state has already requested HHS to relax the guidelines at the Bloomington site.

A spokesperson for HHS said those running the testing site would need to contact HHS or FEMA for permission to expand its guidelines.

As it stands now, fewer than half of the testing kits are being used, while daily testing numbers are dwindling.

McKnight was asked if she found it frustrating that more than half of the testing kits are going unused each day when testing has been in such demand.

“The frustration is more so that we don’t have the answers for our community about what is exactly going on,” McKnight said.

State Totals

The state of Illinois reported 1,209 cases on Friday, bringing its total to 8,904. The state reported 53 additional deaths, bringing that total to 210.

Coronavirus in McLean County
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We’re living in unprecedented times when information changes by the minute. WGLT will continue to be here for you, keeping you up-to-date with the live, local and trusted news you need. Help ensure WGLT can continue with its in-depth and comprehensive COVID-19 coverage as the situation evolves by making a contribution.

Eric Stock is the News Director at WGLT. You can contact Eric at ejstoc1@ilstu.edu.
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