COVID-19 Case-by-Case Update

Photo courtesy to the CDC

NORMAL, Ill.- McLean County Health Department is reporting 43 new cases of COVID-19 today, bringing the total to 1186 cases.

Currently, 439 individuals are isolating at home. Four individuals are currently hospitalized. There are 727 individuals that have been released from isolation and are considered recovered.

There have been 16 COVID-related deaths in McLean County.

The age breakdowns for the new cases:

Ages 1-9yrs: 1 case

Ages 18-19: 11 cases

Ages 20s: 20 cases

Ages 30s: 7 cases

Ages 40s: 1 case

Ages 70s: 1 case

Ages 80s: 2 cases

Over 40,900 tests have been resulted for a cumulative positivity rate of 2.9%. The rolling 7-day positivity rate is 7.4% through Aug. 24, 2020.

“The last seven 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. “Fear and anxiety about a disease can lead to social stigma, which is negative attitudes and beliefs toward people, places, or things. Stigma can lead to labeling, stereotyping, and other negative behaviors toward others. Stigma can be heightened by insufficient knowledge about how COVID-19 is transmitted and treated, and how to prevent infection.”

McLean County Health Department warns stigma can drive people away from getting screened, tested, and quarantined, which are important tools to help us control the spread of the virus.

“The next three to four weeks will be a pivotal time in our community’s response to the COVID pandemic,” said McKnight.

The McLean County Health Department continues to work with our universities, community leaders, and local businesses and make recommendations based on the State of Illinois’ Mitigation Plan.

“Now is the time for us to come together as a community and support one another in a collaborative effort rather than placing blame on any one person or group of people,” said McKnight. “The response to the COVID pandemic will be a marathon not a sprint, and though we crave getting back to a sense of ‘normalcy’ we have to keep pressing on and prioritizing public health prevention practices that lower our risk of becoming infected or infecting others.”