Health and Medicine

McLean County health officials said Tuesday four more county residents have died of COVID-19 complications, while hospital capacity has become increasingly strained by a rise in more serious cases.

With plans for saliva-based testing held up at the federal level, Illinois State University will begin in-house rapid antigen testing in January.

The McLean County Nursing Home in Normal is seeing a spike in coronavirus cases.

Bloomington Mayor Tari Renner is isolating at home after receiving a positive test for the coronavirus on Tuesday. Renner said he immediately sought a test after his son tested positive.

Renner told WGLT in an interview Tuesday evening he "sort of lost his voice" the day before Thanksgiving and had some upper respiratory symptoms six days later.

The Carle Mobile Health Clinic made its Bloomington debut Monday, partnering with District 87 to offer physicals and immunizations for students.

Kelly Parker manages Carle's mobile health services. She said transportation, scheduling and cost already  are barriers for some families to get their kids' health care squared away.

Parker said the COVID-19 pandemic adds another element.

UPDATED 5:25 P.M. | McLean County’s COVID-19 testing positivity rate dropped below 11% on Friday after a week of gradual increases.

Bloomington-Normal hospitals have a few more intensive care beds available than they did heading into the Thanksgiving weekend, but a rise in COVID testing positivity could increase demand for those beds soon.

UPDATED 5:35 p.m. | Unit 5 schools will move to all-remote learning starting next Wednesday because of rising coronavirus infection numbers.

McLean County health officials announced 421 new coronavirus cases and the 42th COVID-related death on Thursday, as the county’s testing positivity rate jumped to 10.9%. That’s the highest rate since Sept. 6, following a surge of new cases when Illinois State University students returned to campus.

McLean County’s seven-day testing positivity rate for the coronavirus has topped 5% for the first time since a late summer surge tied to Illinois State University students’ return to campus.

McLean County health officials announced 34 new confirmed coronavirus cases Thursday as the county’s seven-day testing positivity rate rose to 4.4%.

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.