
By Neil Doyle
BLOOMINGTON – The rolling positivity rate in McLean County has dropped below 8% for the first time in over two weeks as local health officials Wednesday reported 77 new coronavirus cases.
The positivity rate is 7.5%, according to McLean County Health Department Administrator Jessica McKnight. There are 19 McLean County residents currently hospitalized and 1,279 are in home isolation. McKnight says local hospitals are reporting 85% of ICU beds in use and 85% of total beds in use.
157 additional people were released from isolation, now 6,538 have recovered. There have been 50 COVID-related deaths.
“While large gatherings are known to be high-risk, small gatherings with people outside your household also pose a risk for spreading the virus,” said McKnight. “Traditional Thanksgiving gatherings with family and friends can increase the chances of getting or spreading COVID-19 or the flu.”
MCHD will be closed Thursday and Friday for the holiday. There will be no COVID update on Thursday.
Neil Doyle can be reached at [email protected]