Four more McLean County residents die from COVID-19

McLean County Health Department Administrator Jessica McKnight reports 133 more McLean County residents have tested positive for COVID-19. (Photo courtesy: WJBC/File)

By Blake Haas

BLOOMINGTON – McLean County health officials report four additional residents have died from COVID-19, increasing the county’s death total to 69.

McLean County Health Department Administrator Jessica McKnight reports the latest deaths were a male in his 70’s, a male and female in their 80’s who were not associated with long-term care facilities. McKnight reports the fourth death was a male in his 90’s who was associated with a long-term care facility.

Health officials also report 133 new cases of COVID-19, increasing the county’s confirmed cases to 9,806.

McKnight reports fifteen residents are hospitalized due to COVID-19, with 73% of ICU beds in use and 89% of total beds in use.

More than 155,500 tests have resulted in a cumulative positivity rate of 6.2%, down from 6.3% on Thursday. The rolling 7-day positivity rate is 8.7%, down from 9.1%.

Currently, 1,130 individuals are isolating from home, while 8,592 individuals have been released from isolation and are considered recovered.

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…