UPDATED 12:20 p.m. | McLean County health officials say the rate of new coronavirus cases has dropped in recent weeks, but they are calling for more vigilance as another holiday approaches.The McLean County Health Department (MCHD) reported 75 new confirmed coronavirus cases on Tuesday, while an additional 227 patients have recovered.
Bloomington-Normal hospitals report greater demand for beds in the last 24 hours; 83% are currently in use, including 88% of intensive care beds. However, the number of McLean County residents in the hospital with COVID-19 fell from 28 to 18 since Monday.
The county’s confirmed count of coronavirus cases is 10,851. Of those, 9,711 have completed their time in quarantine and are considered recovered.
MCHD Administrator Jessica McKnight noted daily positive cases have decreased slightly even as COVID death rates have risen.
“Trends in McLean County in the weeks since the Thanksgiving holiday weekend have mirrored that of the rest of the state,” said McKnight. “We are heading into the new year with hope on the horizon as the first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine are administered in McLean County, but we cannot let our guard down."
McKnight noted the county reported 45 COVID-related deaths and had more than 4,000 coronavirus cases in November alone.
The county's COVID death toll remains 85. On Tuesday, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) reported two deaths in Livingston County--a man in his 40s and a man in his 70s. The state also reported three deaths in Peoria County--two men in their 70s and a man in his 80s; and three deaths in Tazewell County--a woman in her 70s, a man in his 80s and another man in his 90s.
McLean County’s seven-day positivity rate dropped to 7.9%. The cumulative positivity rate remains 6.4%, based on more than 168,400 tests conducted since the start of the pandemic.
The COVID-19 testing site at the Interstate Center in Bloomington conducted 768 tests on Monday, its highest one-day total in nearly a month. The site is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and will be open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve. It will be closed on Christmas and New Year’s Day.
Testing site moves
Meanwhile, Central Illinois Regional Airport is now hosting a relocated mobile COVID-19 testing facility.
CampusTown Urgent Care will administer drive-up testing in the airport’s long-term parking lot from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays.
The facility offers the same-day rapid COVID tests and also can test for antibodies.
“This collaborative approach between CIRA and CampusTown Urgent Care helps to mitigate the pandemic in our community while at the same time serving essential frontline workers at the airport with access to rapid test results in accordance with CDC guidelines.“ said Bloomington-Normal Airport Authority Chairman Jay Allen. “This ensures the safe, ongoing, efficient operation of the essential services provided at CIRA. “
Dr. Tom Pliura operated the mobile site at The Sports Enhancement Center in Bloomington starting in April before moving it to the airport this week.
Preregistration is required at https://covidtest.center.
Coronavirus In McLean County
Infogram
There's no subscription fee to listen or read our stories. Everyone can access this essential public service thanks to community support. Donate now, and help fund your public media.
