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

McLean County COVID-19 Total Reaches 20

Homeland security command post
Eric Stock
/
WGLT
A Homeland Security command post was stationed outside the McLean County Fairgrounds during COVID-19 testing.

McLean County health officials said Wednesday two more people have tested positive for COVID-19, bringing the county's total to 20.
The latest two cases include one male and one female, both in their 60s. The health department said it doesn't have any more information about them.

McLean County Health Department Communicable Disease Supervisor Melissa Graven said of the previous 18 cases, four remain hospitalized, including one in intensive care; seven remain in quarantine; and five have recovered.

Two patients have died.

"Everyone should just assume that COVID-19 is here in our community," department administrator Jessica McKnight said.  "Those measures like staying home whenever you can, washing your hands, social distancing, keeping that distance between one another, those are very important."

The health department noted 109 people were tested Tuesday at the McLean County Fairgrounds, but the health department has said is it unable to track how many of those tested are from McLean County. The clinic is open to anyone who meets certain criteria.

Health department spokesman Dion McNeal said the county hasn’t received word for when the guidelines might be relaxed to allow for the broader population to be tested.

Here is each McLean County confirmed case and his or her status when they were announced:

  1. male, 70s, hospitalized in good condition
  2. male, 40s
  3. male, 20s
  4. female, 70s
  5. female, 20s, self-isolating at home
  6. female, 70s, hospitalized in intensive care (underlying health conditions)
  7. male, 50s, self-isolating at home (history of international travel)
  8. female, 60s, hospitalized in good condition
  9. female, 60s, hospitalized in ICU
  10. female, 80s, hospitalized in ICU
  11. female, 70s, self-isolating at home
  12. male, 70s, self-isolating at home
  13. female, 30s, self-isolating at home
  14. male, 40s, self-isolating at home
  15. male, 40s, self-isolating at home
  16. female, 70s, hospitalized
  17. female, 70s, hospitalized in ICU
  18. female, 80s, hospitalized
  19. female, 60s
  20. male, 60s

Coronavirus in McLean County
Infogram
Death Toll Projections

The federal COVID-19 task force projects between 100,000 and 240,000 deaths. Based on population, that would mean between 31 and 81 deaths in Bloomington-Normal.

Graven said social distancing and other preventive measures will hopefully put the county below those projections.

“It’s reasonable to expect whatever the model is showing, that’s what we should prepare for,” Graven said. “Whether that’s higher or lower, I think we need to prepare and hope for the best.

“What we are concentrating on is making sure we keep that number as low as possible.”

Two have died in McLean County.

The state of Illinois reported 986 new COVID-19 cases on Wednesday, bringing its total to 6,980. The state death toll has reached 141.

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.