MCHD reports 117 new cases of COVID-19

Posted on December 9, 2020
McLean County health officials announced 117 new cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday. (Photo courtesy: WJBC/File)

By Blake Haas

BLOOMINGTON – McLean County Health officials announced 117 new cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday, increasing the total county cases to 9,562.

Officials report the seven-day positivity dropped below 10% to 9.3% as 1,202 individuals are isolating at home.

McLean County Health Department Administrator Jessica McKnight reports more than 151,900 tests have resulted in a cumulative positivity rate of 6.3%.

“Sixteen McLean County residents are reported to be hospitalized due to COVID-19. It is important to remember that this number does not represent all persons currently hospitalized for COVID-19 or for other treatment and care. Our local hospitals provide care for individuals from outside our county. McLean County hospitals are reporting 92% of ICU beds in use and 91% of total beds in use.

As of Wednesday, 8,282 individuals have been released from isolation and are considered recovered.

There have been 62 COVID-related deaths in the county.

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…