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

McLean County Sees 15% Rise In COVID-19 Cases In One Week

WGLT | By Eric Stock

Published July 10, 2020 at 2:13 PM CDT

Exterior of Bloomington Rehabilitation and Health Care Center — The McLean County Health Department has reported the 11th COVID-19 death at the Bloomington Rehabilitation and Health Care Center.

About 40 people have tested positive for the coronavirus in McLean County since the Fourth of July, a 15% jump in cases in just the past week.

The McLean County Health Department (MCHD) reported 10 new cases Friday. It's only the fifth time the county has seen a one-day, double-digit increase in cases.

The new cases announced Friday include a child under the age of 10, as well as several people in their 20s, 40s, 50s, and 70s.

Meanwhile, MCHD Administrator Jessica McKnight said the most recent death reported Thursday stemmedfrom the outbreak at the Bloomington Rehabilitation and Health Care Center. The woman in her 80s becomes the 11th death tied to the nursing home. A coronavirus outbreak at the facilityinfected dozens of residents and staff.

McLean County COVID-19 data — The McLean County Health Department announced 10 new COVID-19 cases on Friday.

McKnight said the woman died last month after being released from isolation. The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) confirmed her death was caused by COVID-19.

McLean County now has 309 confirmed cases to date. Of those, 38 patients are isolating at home, while one remains hospitalized.

There have been 15 deaths, and 255 people have recovered.

Testing positivity rate

Despite the higher daily count, the county’s seven-day testing positivity rate dropped slightly to 2.4%. The county’s positivity rate since the start of the pandemic remains 2%.

“The target for test positivity according to (county-level) metrics is less than or equal to 10%,” said McKnight, referring to IDPH guidance.

The drive-through testing site at the Interstate Center is wrapping up its busiest week since it opened in late March. The site has averaged 349 daily tests this week.

The site, now run by Reditus Labs, is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. to the general public. No symptoms are required.

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