McLean County health officials reported eight new coronavirus cases on Wednesday, with two of those patients hospitalized, but in good condition.
The eight new cases mark the largest single-day increase in the county since May 18. That was when an outbreak was still underway at the Bloomington Rehabilitation and Health Care Center, where dozens of residents and staff become infected and 10 people died.
McLean County has seen 25 new cases in the past week. That's the most for any seven-day period since late May.
According to the McLean County Health Department, the county has 290 confirmed coronavirus cases; a vast majority of residents (248) have recovered. Twenty-six patients are isolating at home.
The county has had 14 COVID-19-related deaths. The latest,announced Tuesday, was a woman in her 70s. It was the county’s first death since May.
Part of the increase in coronavirus cases could be attributed to more testing being done at the community-based site at the Interstate Center in Bloomington. Since June 22, the site has conducted an average of 212 tests per day, including a record 405 on Monday and 370 more on Tuesday.
The site is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.
Health Department Administrator Jessica McKnight also attributed the rise in active cases to people traveling out of state, particularly to states where COVID-19 cases have surged.
“If you are thinking about traveling away from your community, be aware of whether COVID-19 is spreading where you’re going and take precautions to keep yourself safe,” McKnight said.
McLean County’s seven-day positivity testing rate stands at 1.9%. That’s double what it was before the Fourth of July holiday.
McKnight said the target is to remain below 10% to avoid the potential for a return to Phase 3 of the Restore Illinois reopening. The county’s overall testing positivity rate since the pandemic began is also 1.9%.
McKnight recommends anyone who attended a gathering over the holiday weekend to get tested within five to seven days and to monitor their symptoms.
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