Health and Medicine

McLean County health officials have announced 76 new confirmed coronavirus cases since Friday, as the county saw an increase in hospitalizations to its highest level since the start of the pandemic.

UPDATED 5:05 P.M. | McLean County health officials announced 35 new coronavirus cases on Friday, and an equal number of patients recovering.

Illinois State University trustees will consider a contract to use space in two hotels to house any potential overflow of students who become sick, or who have come in close contact with someone who tests positive for the coronavirus.

Members of the McLean County Board of Health looked to health department administrators Wednesday night for reassurance the agency will be prepared for a potential surge in COVID-19 this winter.

Chestnut Health Systems of Bloomington conducted an exercise Wednesday to test its preparedness to administer a COVID-19 vaccine when it becomes available.

McLean County health officials reported 35 new coronavirus cases on Saturday while the county’s seven-day testing positivity rate held steady at 3%.

Lincoln College will go back to hybrid learning Monday after a two-week quarantine and virtual learning period.

McLean County doctors and public health professionals say the pandemic has made it more important than ever to get a flu shot, and that getting one won’t increase your chances of getting COVID-19 or make it worse if you do.

UPDATED 5:55 p.m. | There are now nine people hospitalized with COVID-19 in McLean County—including three in intensive care—as Illinois State University reported 87 new cases among its students.

The growing number of positive COVID-19 cases is making it harder to staff nursing units in central Illinois.

The Illinois State University administration has asked the board of trustees to approve spending up to $3.3 million for coronavirus surveillance testing of students on campus through the end of the year.

The McLean County Health Department reported 28 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 on Saturday.

The Illinois State University Lab Schools are following Unit 5 and District 87 in telling parents and families the fall term will start with online classes.

McLean County saw a slight uptick in active coronavirus cases Friday as the county announced 10 new cases, while seven patients have recovered.

Gov. JB Pritzker has created new enforcement rules for mask wearing.

Pritzker said the statewide emergency order allows warnings and then fines of up to $2,500 against businesses and other organizations that do not ensure that people wear masks on the premises. He said Friday during a news conference many businesses already do this, but some do not.

Fifteen more people have tested positive for the coronavirus in McLean County, marking the third consecutive day of double-digit cases in the county.

McLean County health officials announced nine new coronavirus cases on Friday as the county closes out a month in which its COVID-19 caseload nearly doubled. 

The McLean County Health Department reported five new cases of COVID-19 Sunday. That brought the total in the county during the pandemic to 458 cases.

McLean County’s largest commercial brewery has temporarily closed associated restaurants because one of its employees has tested positive for the coronavirus.

The Peoria-based OSF Healthcare system will borrow $450 million this fall with the money financing construction of a new comprehensive cancer center in Peoria.

McLean County health officials announced 18 new coronavirus cases on Thursday, the second highest single-day total since the start of the pandemic.