MCHD reports two new COVID-related deaths; nine new cases

The McLean County Health Department reported the new cases on Wednesday. (Photo courtesy: WJBC/File)

By Blake Haas

BLOOMINGTON – In the past week, the McLean County Health Department reports two COVID-related deaths.

Health officials report the two deaths are one male in his 40s and one female in her 60s, neither associated with long-term care facilities.

Meanwhile, the department also reports nine new cases of COVID-19, while 18,214 individuals have been released from isolation and are considered recovered.

However, officials are warning people to use extra caution during the 4th of July holiday weekend.

“A holiday weekend with social gatherings and travel is upon us,” said Public Affairs Coordinator Marianne Manko. “This, as the highly contagious Delta variant continues to spread across the U.S. and has already been identified as one of the primary reasons for an upsurge in new COVID-19 cases in some states. Those who are unvaccinated are at greatest risk.”

Officials report 369,400 tests have resulted in a cumulative positivity rate of 5%. The rolling 7-day positivity rate is 0.2%.

On the vaccine front, approximately 159,303 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been administered in McLean 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…