Four employees at the McLean County Nursing Home in Normal have tested positive for the coronavirus, county administrator Camille Rodriguez said on Friday.
The news came as the county set a new one-day record with 32 new coronavirus cases.
Rodriguez said no nursing home residents have tested positive. By state mandate, nursing homes are regularly tested for COVID-19.
“McLean County Nursing Home employees continue in their diligence to protect and promote health by following the recommendations of the Illinois Department of Public Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in the response to and prevention of the spread of COVID-19,” Rodriguez said. “The health and safety of the people that live and work at the McLean County Nursing Home continues to be our primary focus.”
Rodriguez said the nursing home has informed all staff, resident families and guardians about the positive cases. She did not comment on whether the employees who tested positive displayed symptoms, or required medical attention.
She said they would return to work after they are approved by their health care providers or public health officials.
County hits 700 cases
Meanwhile, McLean County Health Department Administrator Jessica McKnight said the county has four people in the hospital with COVID-19, including one in their 20s, one in their 30s and one in their 40s.
“We are definitely seeing COVID-19 in McLean County hitting the younger generation,” McKnight said. “This virus definitely doesn’t discriminate because of age.”
She added the county also has had several cases involving infants. Young adults in the 20s make up the largest percentage of cases at nearly 30%.
The county also announced 14 new recoveries, while its seven-day positivity rate dipped to 1.8%. The cumulative positivity rate (since the pandemic began) remains 2.1%.
The county has reached 722 confirmed coronavirus cases since the start of the pandemic, including 15 patients who have died and 595 who have been released from their time in quarantine.
The county currently has 108 patients isolating at home.
McKnight said more people are getting tested because of suspected COVID-19 exposure.
“What we are seeing more now in our confirmed cases is that they know of (a COVID-19 positive). They were at a gathering or a party where they know another individual has tested positive so they have gone for testing.”
McLean County's recent rise in coronavirus cases could bring it closer to a warning designation. One of the metrics is new cases based on population. The county reported 51 new cases per 100,000 residents from Aug. 2-8.
Counties are designated in the warning area when two or more indicators reach certain targets.
On Friday, the Illinois Department of Public Health announced 14 counties are at a warning level: Bureau, Cass, Clinton, Franklin, Greene, Grundy, Hancock, Jefferson, Kane, LaSalle, Moultrie, Perry, Union and Will.
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