By WJBC Staff
BLOOMINGTON – The McLean County Health Department recently reviewed COVID-related death numbers, comparing data reports from the Illinois Department of Public Health. As of Friday, that number totals 207, with 165 confirmed COVID-related deaths, and 42 probable COVID-related deaths. That is an overall increase in total COVID-related deaths of 30.
“McLean County, along with the rest of the state, unfortunately saw a dramatic increase in COVID-related deaths in November, December and January,” said McLean County Administrator Jessica McKnight. “After the large influx of reported deaths, we worked with the IDPH to audit our reports and compare our records from that time period.”
| COVID-Related Deaths
Per Month McLean County |
|
| Mar-20 | 2 |
| Apr-20 | 1 |
| May-20 | 10 |
| Jun-20 | 1 |
| Jul-20 | 1 |
| Aug-20 | 1 |
| Sep-20 | 7 |
| Oct-20 | 16 |
| Nov-20 | 27 |
| Dec-20 | 75 |
| Jan-21 | 45 |
| Feb-21 | 15 |
| Mar-21 | 6 |
| Total | 207 |
The IDPH reports COVID-related deaths by county for confirmed cases by PCR test only, while probable deaths are reported as aggregate data as part of a state-wide total. The MCHD reports both confirmed and probable COVID-related deaths in its daily reports.
The IDPH considers a confirmed or probable COVID-19 case a COVID-related death if it meets the following criteria:
- If the death is within 30 days of symptom onset, diagnosis, positive laboratory specimen (PCR or antigen) collection OR during hospitalization, unless there was another fully explanatory alternative cause of death unrelated to SARS-CoV-2 infection (such as an accident or homicide)
- If the patient has a clinical history consistent with COVID-19 and did not completely recover (return to baseline health) after the COVID-19 diagnosis
- If the patient has an autopsy finding consistent with COVID-19
- If disease (COVID-19 or SARS-Co-V-2) is mentioned on the death certificate under any of the below circumstances:
- Immediate Cause of Death
- Underlying Cause of Death
- Significant Condition Contributing to Death
In addition, if disease is not mentioned in any place on the death certificate, but it meets criteria #1 or #2, then it shall be classified as a “confirmed” COVID-related death. Although the time elapsed since a COVID-19 positive lab result can be taken into account, patients can have prolonged illnesses or hospitalizations past the 30-day threshold. Lastly, if there is no other fully explanatory alternative cause of death, yet any of the above criteria are met, and there is a positive lab result for SARS-Co-V-2, the case is also classified as a “confirmed” death.
However, if any of the above criteria are met, and there is no lab result (i.e. SARS-Co-V-2 testing was not performed) the IDPH will classify it as a probable COVID-related death.
It can take days or weeks for an official cause of death to be confirmed.
Data on the additional 30 COVID-related deaths
Associated with Long Term Care Facilities:
| Age | Male = 7 | Female = 12 |
| 50’s | 1 | 0 |
| 70’s | 1 | 1 |
| 80’s | 3 | 5 |
| 90’s | 2 | 5 |
| 100’s | 0 | 1 |
Not Associated with Long Term Care:
| Age | Male = 4 | Female = 7 |
| 60’s | 0 | 2 |
| 70’s | 3 | 2 |
| 80’s | 1 | 1 |
| 90’s | 0 | 2 |
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