Public health officials urged caution and vigilence Saturday—including among young, healthy people—as the coronavirus spread across McLean County more than ever before.
Six new cases were reported in McLean County on Saturday, and the testing positivity rate ticked up again to 2.6%, the health department reported. The six new cases Saturday included someone between the ages of 10 and 19, as well as people in their 20s, 40s, 50s, and 60s. Over 25% of all local cases to date have been people in their 20s, the most for any group.
McLean County now has 65 active cases. That is the most active cases the county has ever had, if the deadly outbreak at Bloomington Rehab nursing home is excluded. The county's true peak for active cases was 77 on May 20. But 48 of those 77 cases were residents and staff of the nursing home—a relatively isolated setting.
Other than a smaller outbreak at Normal Fire Department, the 65 active cases signal the most community spread to date.
"While those with underlying conditions are at a higher risk and should be more cautious, young and otherwise healthy individuals can get sick too," said MCHD Administrator Jessica McKnight. "COVID-19 can be spread by people without symptoms so any interaction with others, especially those outside of your household, can pose a risk for infection."
To be sure, less than 1% of McLean County residents have contracted the virus. We've had 370 cases, out of over 171,000 residents. Of those, 290 have already recovered.
Hospitalizations also remain relatively low. There are only two right now. Hospitalizations peaked at 10 in mid-May, during the Bloomington Rehab outbreak.
Spreading in July
Yet about 29% of McLean County's total cases (109 of 370) have come since July 1.
The testing positivity rate has climbed over the past three weeks, rising from 0.50% to 2.6% through Friday. (That's the 7-day rolling average.) That's less than the current statewide (3.1%) and national (8.5%) average positivity rates, according to the Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center.
Coronavirus - Testing Positivity Rate
Infogram
The positivity rate has risen even with a significant increase in the amount of testing, suggesting a continued strong presence of the virus in the community.
This week the drive-thru testing site at the Interstate Center has seen over 400 people per day, on average. That's easily a record. In early June it saw just 70 people per day.
Pekin-based Reditus Labs has increased staffing at the site to meet the demand, according to the McLean County Emergency Management Agency. That has reduced wait times.
The testing site is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day. No symptoms are needed.
