COVID-19 Case-by-Case Update: Positivity Rate a New Low

Photo courtesy to the CDC

NORMAL, Ill. McLean County Health Department is reporting 24 new cases of COVID-19 today, bringing the total to 2,938 cases.

Currently, 1,412 individuals are isolating at home.  Seven individuals are hospitalized, with two in the Intensive Care Unit.  There are 1,501 individuals that have been released from isolation and are considered recovered.

There have been 18 COVID-related deaths in McLean County.

More than 61,300 tests have been resulted overall, and the cumulative positivity rate is 4.8%. The rolling 7-day positivity rate is 6.6% through Sept. 13, 2020. This positivity rate is the lowest it has been this month.

“These last few months have been a stressful time for people and communities coping with uncertainties and change due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Health Department Administrator Jessica McKnight.

“How someone responds to stress can depend on their background, social support from family or friends, financial situation, health and emotional background, the community they live in, and many other factors,” said McKnight. “Fear, uncertainty and anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic can be overwhelming and cause strong emotions.”

MCHD says taking care of friends and family can be a stress reliever, but it should be balanced with self-care.

“Take care of your mental health. Know what to do if you are sick and are concerned about COVID-19,” said McKnight.

Testing

A State of Illinois mobile COVID-19 testing site will be set up from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Sept. 14–Wednesday, Sept. 16, in the Illinois State University Alumni Center parking lot.

Illinois State faculty, staff, students and community members can receive testing at the site. Illinois State students are encouraged to continue using the on-campus symptomatic and asymptomatic testing sites. If students do test at the mobile site they should share positive test results with Student Health Services by uploading them to the Secure Patient Health Portal. 

Testing for faculty, staff, students, and community members is also available seven days a week at the Interstate Center in Bloomington.