MCHD health officials warn of “difficult winter” as officials mark 46th COVID death

Posted on November 18, 2020
On Tuesday, the McLean County Health Department announced another resident has died due to COVID019. (Photo courtesy: HOI)

By Blake Haas

BLOOMINGTON – Local health officials warn of a “very difficult winter” as another McLean County resident has died due to COVID-19, marking the county’s 46th death.

Health officials report a male in his 60’s who was not associated with a long-term facility was the county’s latest death.

The health department is also reporting 122 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the county total to 7,008.

At this time, 1,516 individuals are isolating at home, while 5,424 individuals were released from isolation.

“The positivity rate in our county and across our region continues to rise,” said McLean County Health Department Administrator Jessica McKnight. “We are experiencing substantial community spread, and most concerningly, we have seen hospitalizations increasing, threatening to strain our healthcare system as we are entering flu season and going into what is shaping up to be a very difficult winter.”

Health officials say 122,300 tests have resulted in a cumulative positivity rate of 5.7%. The rolling 7-day positivity rate is 14.9%.

Blake Haas can be reached at [email protected].

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