Health and Medicine

OSF HealthCare has launched an updated digital solution to help educate and triage people who are concerned about COVID-19 and risking exposure to go to a doctor's office.

McLean County hasn't had any new COVID-19 cases in the last two days, but county health officials said Wednesday it could still take weeks to determine if social distancing efforts are starting to flatten the curve in the county.

Bloomington and Normal fire chiefs said they have adequate supplies of personal protective equipment (PPE) for now. That includes masks, gloves, and gowns. 

One of the difficulties in estimating the penetration of the novel coronavirus in Bloomington-Normal has been a lack of testing. As of Tuesday, there were only eight confirmed cases of COVID-19 in McLean County. Protocols have not called for testing everyone. Early on there was also a lack of swabs used to collect test matter from nasal passages, though that is rising.

The homeless population in Bloomington-Normal is at increased risk of COVID-19 sickness, according to service providers.

A woman in intensive care in Bloomington-Normal has died of COVID-19, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health.

The McLean County Health Department said she was in her 70s and tested positive last week. The department said the woman died late last week.

Those living close to the edge have a lot of fear and uncertainty amid the pandemic. Government responses to the coronavirus pandemic have prompted a flood of calls to 211 centers across the state.

The daily increase in reported cases of COVID-19 in Illinois is 168. One more person has died, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health. The Cook County man was in his 70s. So far, there have been 753 confirmed cases of coronavirus caused sickness in the state.

A mutual aid group in Bloomington-Normal is channeling anxiety and stress over the coronavirus into helping others.

Meghan Reha of the McLean County Mutual Aid Team says the group formed because it's important that people at high risk stay home. Reha said they have about 15 volunteer drivers who will deliver groceries or medicine from pharmacies when authorized.

A licensed counselor in Normal is urging parents of college students to actively listen and show understanding to help their children cope with the COVID-19 response that has upended their college life.

The Town of Normal is proceeding with plans to halt water shutoffs and delay a scheduled utility and waste fee increase in response to potential economic ramifications from the coronavirus pandemic.

"As we know, this situation is going to have significant economic impact," City Manager Pam Reece said during Monday's Town Council meeting. "We just don't know to what extent."

The United Way of McLean County said it will provide targeted help to reduce financial damage from the coronavirus pandemic. The United Way has announced a $100,000 allocation to support youth and families in the community affected by the outbreak.

Among the many uncertainties the coronavirus has created in central Illinois is election turnout.

"That is the question of the decade," said McLean County Clerk Kathy Michael.

The first downstate cases of coronavirus disease were announced Saturday. Two are in Central Illinois.

Starting Monday individuals experiencing a behavioral health crisis can seek help at the McLean County Triage Center in downtown Bloomington.

Special Olympics Illinois has canceled its state basketball tournament this weekend in Bloomington-Normal and Peoria.

Amtrak is notifying passengers and employees who may have been on a train carrying a passenger who may have the coronavirus. That train traveling from Chicago to St. Louis last Wednesday stopped at Uptown Station in Normal.

State Farm has suspended all non-essential business travel through the end of March as a precaution against the spread of coronavirus.