UPDATED 2:15 P.M. | The McLean County Health Department has announced it expects to receive a bonus shipment of about 1,100 COVID-19 vaccine doses on Tuesday, and plans to allow for additional vaccination appointments for people in Phases 1A and 1B who are seeking their first dose.MCHD said the county, through its partnership with Carle BroMenn Medical Center, will take additional appointments at its vaccination clinics on Wednesday and Thursday. The department also has added a new clinic on Friday specifically for people 65 and older -- one of the group's eligible in Phase 1B along with essential workers.
"Our goal remains the same, to safely and equitably administer the vaccine to the residents of McLean County as quickly and efficiently as possible," MCHD administrator Jessica McKnight said in a news release.
Those eligible for the vaccine can register on the county health department website. For those who need assistance booking an appointment can call the county's COVID-19 call center at (309) 888-5600.
Data from the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) indicates 14,898 COVID-19 vaccines have been administered in McLean County while 2,521 people have received both vaccine doses. That’s about 1.5% of the county’s population. The statewide rate of those fully vaccinated is 1.8%
IDPH also has started posting data on vaccine inventory. The state reported the county has about 2,510 vaccines in its inventory. That includes about 1,390 through the MCHD and 1,120 at community-based sites such as grocery stores and pharmacies.
New COVID cases
Bloomington-Normal’s hospital capacity remains limited even as the rate of new coronavirus cases has slowed.
MCHD reported 34 new coronavirus cases on Tuesday. That brings the county’s total of confirmed and probably cases to 13,885.
According to MCHD, 87% of Bloomington-Normal hospital beds are in use. That’s down from 85% on Monday, but the use of intensive care beds rose from 65% to 81% over the same period.
The county reports 22 McLean County residents are hospitalized due to COVID-19, while 20 COVID patients are in Bloomington-Normal hospitals.
MCHD said the county has 392 people isolating at home. The current count of 414 active cases is the county’s lowest since Oct. 30. Since the pandemic began, 13,319 people have been released from quarantine and are considered recovered.
McLean County’s coronavirus death toll remains 152.
The county’s seven-day testingpositivity rate is unchanged at 4.3%,while the cumulative testing positivity rate held at 6.4%, based on more than 216,7000 tested conducted since the start of the pandemic.
IDPH reported 2,304 new coronavirus cases and 47 additional deaths on Tuesday. That includes the deaths of two Champaign County women in their 80s.
Coronavirus In McLean County
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