A fifth Normal firefighter has tested positive for COVID-19 as McLean County health officials announced four new coronavirus cases on Wednesday.
The firefighter was part of a group of 15 the townplaced under quarantine after a co-coworker contracted the virus while off duty, said City Manager Pam Reece. Three others later tested positive.
“Since he was already in quarantine, there was no risk of any additional exposures related to his case,” said Normal Fire Department Public Information Officer Matt Swaney.
Swaney added all the infected firefighters are showing symptoms and remain quarantined at home. He said none has required medical intervention or hospitalization.
“Our ability to provide our services to the town has not been affected,” Swaney said. “We are operating as usual with our established pandemic policies and procedures in place.”
The Bloomington Fire Department has placed 23 of its fire personnel under precautionary quarantine since the start of the pandemic, but has had no positive cases, according to public information officer Eric Davison.
He said not all the quarantines resulted from the same event.
“At this point, temperatures are taken prior to entrance in the building and throughout the shift to hopefully avoid the need for multiple employees (to be) quarantined,” Davison said.
The four new coronavirus cases push McLean County’s total of confirmed cases to 337. Nine more people have recovered from the virus, bringing that total to 269.
Four patients remain hospitalized while 49 are isolating at home. Fifteen have died.
McLean County’s seven-day positivity rate dropped from 2.6% to 2.2% while the positivity rate since the start of the pandemic remains 2%, according to McLean County Health Department Administrator Jessica McKnight.
COVID-19 testing continues daily at the Interstate Center in Bloomington from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The site administered 390 tests on Tuesday, one of its highest totals to date. The site has averaged 346 tests per day since July 6.
Loading...
We’re living in unprecedented times when information changes by the minute. WGLT will continue to be here for you, keeping you up-to-date with the live, local and trusted news you need. Help ensure WGLT can continue with its in-depth and comprehensive COVID-19 coverage as the situation evolves by making a contribution.
