McLean County adds 14 new cases of COVID-19; Some cases associated with gatherings

Posted on July 17, 2020
More than 17,800 tests in McLean County have resulted in a positivity rate of 2.0%. The rolling seven-day positivity rate is 2.5%. (WJBC file photo)

 

By Neil Doyle

BLOOMINGTON – Local health officials on Friday reported 14 new cases of coronavirus, bringing the McLean County total to 364.

The COVID-19 numbers as of Friday in McLean County. (Graphic courtesy McLean County Health Department)

“While McLean County is experiencing community spread of the virus, meaning that some people testing positive for COVID-19 are not able to pinpoint when or where they may have become infected, there have been small clusters of cases among families and household contacts,” said McLean County Health Department Administrator Jessica McKnight. “Many of the recently reported cases have been associated with gatherings for 4th of July, birthday parties, or family get-togethers.”

“We also continue to see cases in McLean County related to travelling, whether that be people who have gone to, or had visitors from states that are seeing increases in their case numbers such as Texas, Florida, Arizona, Wisconsin, Indiana, and Tennessee,” McKnight said.

So far this week, there have been 50 new cases reported. McKnight said two people are currently in the hospital, 59 are in home isolation, and 288 have recovered. There have been 15 deaths in the county.

More than 17,800 tests in McLean County have resulted in a positivity rate of 2.0%. The rolling seven-day positivity rate is 2.5%.

Neil Doyle can be reached at [email protected]

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year.  It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city.   Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University.   We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk.  Going to work every day for some people means…