Coronavirus

As the region braces for an arctic blast this weekend, there aren't many places for people experiencing homelessness to go.

McLean County health officials are reporting 35 new confirmed or probable COVID-19 cases, as the county’s testing positivity rate rose to 4.9%.

It’s been nearly two months since the first COVID-19 vaccine received emergency use authorization from the Federal Drug Administration. More than one million doses have been given in Illinois, including more than 15,000 in McLean County.

The state will soon start ramping up the distribution of COVID-19 vaccines as part of its effort to further limit the spread of the disease.

The McLean County Health Department reported 57 new confirmed or probable COVID-19 cases on Wednesday, as the county’s testing positivity rate ticked up slightly to 4.5%.

UPDATED 2:15 P.M. | The McLean County Health Department has announced it expects to receive a bonus shipment of about 1,100 COVID-19 vaccine doses on Tuesday, and  plans to allow for additional vaccination appointments for people in Phases 1A and 1B who are seeking their first dose.

Unit 5 plans to bring its elementary students back to the classroom five days a week, starting later this week.

McLean County Health Department Administrator Jessica McKnight says she knows the public is tired of the frustration and confusion surrounding vaccine distribution.

The McLean County Health Department on Monday reported 83 new confirmed and probable COVID-19 cases, as the county’s testing positivity rate ticked down to 4.3%. That's the lowest it's been since Oct. 20.

Illinois State University's Department of Health Sciences and Health Services workers administered about 300 coronavirus vaccines on Friday, according to a university spokesperson.

A bar and restaurant in Normal faces a $1,750 fine for violating COVID-19 mitigation protocols.

Joe's Station House, located at the Shoppes at College Hills, refused to halt indoor service when Gov. JB Pritzker's executive orders called for that measure. There were three violations -- two in November and one in December, according to a complaint against the business.

UPDATED 5:30 P.M. | McLean County has matched December’s record number of 51 COVID-related deaths in January as the county reported six more deaths on Friday.

Gov. JB Pritzker pushed back Thursday on criticisms of the state’s COVID-19 vaccine rollout, saying state officials are “doing everything we can” to ensure timely delivery of doses.

McLean County continues to see a drop in new coronavirus cases as health officials report their lowest one-day total since Oct. 15.

The start of high school basketball in central Illinois is on the horizon, and a timetable has been set for football, volleyball, soccer and other sports.

COVID-19 vaccines are becoming available at more locations in McLean County, although supplies are limited.

Here is a current list of COVID vaccine options. It was last updated Feb. 4, 2021.

Does this list need to be updated? Contact news@wglt.org.

Who can be vaccinated?

UPDATED 12:15 P.M. | The rate of new coronavirus cases continues to slow in McLean County, while COVID-19 hospitalizations are mostly unchanged.

UPDATED 12:15 P.M. | McLean County’s active COVID-19 caseload continues to fall, though available bed space in Bloomington-Normal hospitals remains limited.

UPDATED 4:45 P.M. | Unit 5 plans to phase in more classroom days for its pre-kindergarten through fifth grade students who have been learning in a hybrid format.

UPDATED 5:40 P.M. | Central Illinois is officially moving out of additional mitigations as the region's COVID-19 statistics continue to improve.

Central Illinois is officially moving out of additional mitigations as the region's COVID-19 statistics continue to improve.

The Illinois State University women’s basketball team picked up a win Friday and didn’t have to take the floor.

UPDATED 9:45 P.M. | McLean County health officials announced 10 new COVID-related deaths Friday, marking the largest single-day increase since the start of the pandemic.