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

McLean County Closer To COVID-19 Warning Level In One Measure

graphic showingcoronavirus disease cases in McLean County
McLean County Health Department
COVID-19 cases continued to climb in McLean County on Saturday.

The McLean County Health Department reported 28 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 on Saturday.

New confirmed cases have totaled 95 in the last seven days, nearly 15% of the total so far. The total for McLean County is now 636 cases.

In the county-level metrics updated by the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) on Friday, McLean County was at the warning level for new cases reported from July 26 to Aug. 1 (58 cases per 100,000 population), according to the department. The state uses other metrics in addition to new cases to determine the overall warning level.

The rolling 7-day testing positivity rate was 2.1% through Friday. The cumulative positivity rate (since the start of the pandemic) is 2.2%.

A total of 120 people are isolating at home and one person remains in the hospital, said the McLean County Health Department. Fifteen McLean County residents are known to have died from COVID-19.

Nearly 15% of coronavirus tests in the county (4,300) happened during the first week in August. There have been 29,400 tests conducted overall.

In a statement, the health department emphasized the variable stress the pandemic can cause in residents.

“Fear, uncertainty, and anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic can be overwhelming and cause strong emotions,” said the department. “Taking care of friends and family can be a stress reliever, but it should be balanced with self-care.

“Take care of your emotional health, which will help you think clearly and react to the urgent needs to protect yourself and your family. Take breaks from watching, reading, or listening to news stories, including those on social media. Hearing about the pandemic repeatedly can be upsetting.”

MCHD also suggested people take time to unwind. Try to do some other activities you enjoy. Connect with others.

The response to COVID-19 is a community effort. It will take all of us working together to move McLean County forward, said the department.

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WGLT Senior Reporter Charlie Schlenker has spent more than three award-winning decades in radio. He lives in Normal with his family.
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