MCHD reports 50 new cases of coronavirus; Tier 3 mitigations could be relaxed

Posted on January 7, 2021
Local health officials over the summer administered COVID-19 testing at a drive-through site in LeRoy. (Facebook/McLean County Health Department)

 

By Neil Doyle

BLOOMINGTON – Health officials said there are 40 McLean County residents hospitalized due to COVID-19 and 931 are in home isolation.

Local hospitals are reporting 73% of ICU beds and 86% of total beds in use, according to the McLean County Health Department. MCHD on Thursday reported 50 new cases as the county’s rolling positivity rate inched down to 8.8%.

There have been 116 COVID-related deaths. 92 additional people were released from isolation, now 11,052 in the county have recovered.

“It is important for everyone to continue using all the tools available to us to help stop this pandemic including staying home as much as possible, wearing a mask, following guidance for isolation and quarantine, washing your hands, and practicing social distancing,” said MCHD Administrator Jessica McKnight.

Meanwhile, Gov. Pritzker on Wednesday announced that Tier 3 mitigations could be relaxed on Jan. 15 for regions that meet certain metrics. State health officials are continuing to watch the data to ensure there isn’t’ a spike in cases from the recent holidays.

Where Region 2 stands:

  • Percent positivity for three consecutive days – 11 consecutive days under 12% (7-day rolling average) – We meet this metric but our positivity rate is increasing, currently at 9.6%
  • ICU and hospital bed availability for 3 consecutive days– 21.3% ICU beds and 25.3% med/surg beds – ICU 11 Consecutive Day over 20% and Med/Surg Beds- 11 Consecutive Days over 20%–We meet this metric
  • Declining 7-day average COVID hospitalizations in 7 of the last 10 days –10 days of COVID hospitalized patient decreases. – We meet this metric.

Data updated: 1/6/2021 at https://dph.illinois.gov/regionmetrics?regionID=2

Neil Doyle can be reached at [email protected]

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