McLean County’s COVID-19 testing positivity rate is on the decline, even as the region that includes Bloomington-Normal faces additional restrictions to slow the spread of the coronavirus.
The McLean County Health Department (MCHD) reported 125 new confirmed cases over the weekend. The county’s testing positivity rate (7-day rolling) fell to 5.1%, down a full percentage point from Friday. That rate is well below the statewide average of 8.2% and the national average of 6.6%.
Twelve people are currently hospitalized with COVID-19 in McLean County—down two from Friday. None are in intensive care. Another 406 people are isolating at home and an additional 115 people are now considered recovered.
The death toll remains at 38.
The county exceeded 100,000 test results over the weekend. The cumulative positivity rate is now 4.4% based on 101,500 test results returned since the start of the pandemic.
New COVID-19 mitigation measures take effect on Wednesday. Bars and restaurants won’t be allowed to seat patrons indoors. Outdoor dining must end by 11 p.m. and reservations are required. Gatherings are limited to 25 people or 25% room capacity—whichever is less.
The restrictions do not apply to schools or polling places.
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Election Day anxiety
Rising coronavirus caseloads could cause some who had planned to vote in person to reconsider.
MCHD Administrator Jessica McKnight said local polling sites are taking precautions to help limit COVID spread.
“Everything has a level of risk,” McKnight said. “If you are out in an environment with people outside of your household, if social distancing cannot be maintained, I know they are doing a fantastic job or trying to keep people safe as possible for voting; managing that social distance, encouraging people to wear their face coverings and having sanitizer, encouraging people to wash their hands, those makes to make it as safe as possible for people to exercise their right to vote.”
It's too late to request a vote-by-mail ballot, but there are a few options. Early voting continues until 7 p.m. Monday at Grossinger Motors Arena in downtown Bloomington. The arena also will be a voting center on Tuesday to give voters a second in-person option, aside from their regular voting location.
Election officials hope the arena voting center will help reduce lines on Election Day.
Also, people who have not yet returned their vote-by-mail ballot can still do so. Ballots must be postmarked on or before Election Day and be received within 14 days to be counted. They also can be putinto a ballot dropboxbefore the polls close on Tuesday.
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