MCHD announces 17 new cases; countywide total surges to 187

Posted on May 18, 2020
Health officials say that 45 of the 187 cases are from a local long-term care facility. (Photo courtesy: McLean County Health Department)

By AJ Harris and Blake Haas 

BLOOMINGTON – Local Coronavirus numbers continue to grow as health officials announce 17 new cases, surging the county total to 187. 

“Of our 17 new cases, two of those are related to the Bloomington rehab outbreak, one resident and one staff,” Jessica McKnight McLean County Health Department Administrator said. “In that outbreak, our total right now is 45 cases there, 16 staff and 29 residents.” 

McKnight added that one staff member at the facility who has contracted the virus does not count towards the McLean County total, as it is someone who lives outside the county.

Health officials say that of the 187 total cases, seven individuals are currently hospitalized, 65 are in home isolation, and 107 have recovered. Six people have died from the virus. 

During his press briefing heard on AM 1230 WJBC, Gov. Pritzker announced 2,294 new cases of COVID-19 with 59 additional deaths; the statewide total now stands at 96,485 cases and 4,234 deaths. 

AJ Harris can be reached at [email protected]. 

Blake Haas can be reached at [email protected]. 

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