9 new cases of COVID in McLean County; Nearly half of the county’s cases reported in July

McLean County Health Department Administrator Jessica McKnight said almost half of the county’s overall cases were reported in July, with an average of nine new cases each day. (WJBC file photo)

 

By Neil Doyle

BLOOMINGTON – McLean County on Friday added nine new cases of coronavirus as nearly half of the county’s total cases were reported this month.

McLean County’s seven-day rolling positivity rate is 1.8%. (Graphic courtesy McLean County Health Department)

Of the 513 confirmed cases, three people are currently in the hospital and 83 are isolating at home, according to the McLean County Health Department. 412 people have recovered from the virus and there have been 15 COVID-related deaths. The county’s overall positivity rate is 2.1%.

MCHD Administrator Jessica McKnight said nearly 50% of the county’s overall cases were reported in July, with an average of nine new cases each day. McKnight said the county is also seeing an increase in active cases in isolation this month with an average of 57, while there were around an average of 15 in June.

“Trends in McLean County reflect what is being seen across the state with many recent cases related to social gatherings and household contact to someone who is COVID positive,” said McKnight.

Meanwhile, state doctors reported 1,941 new cases of COVID and 21 additional deaths. IDPH this week reported 11 counties that are at a “warning level,” meaning they are experiencing an increase in cases and hospitalizations.

The statewide seven-day rolling positivity rate is now 3.9%.

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…