MCHD reports two additional COVID-related deaths; 95 new cases since Friday

McLean County Health officials reported the new cases on Monday. (Photo courtesy: Reditus/Facebook)

By Blake Haas

BLOOMINGTON – Two more McLean County residents have died from COVID-19 since Friday.

The McLean County Health Department reports the latest deaths are one male in his 50’s, who was not associated with a long-term care facility, and one male in his 70’s who was associated with a long-term care facility.

In addition, officials reported 95 new cases of COVID-19, increasing the county’s probably and confirmed cases to 23,036.

At last count, 17 McLean County residents are hospitalized due to COVID-19, while 13 people are hospitalized in local hospitals with the virus.

Hospitals in the county are reporting 65% of ICU beds and 88% of total beds in use, down from Friday’s totals of 77% of ICU beds and 89% of total beds in use.

The county’s cumulative positivity rate held steady at 4.2%, while the seven-day rolling positivity rate declined to 1.9% from 2.0% on Friday.

Approximately 193,632 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been administered in the county, and 55.16% of the county’s population are fully vaccinated.

Blake Haas 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…