McLean County COVID-19 Update: 5-21-2022 to 5-27-2022 

The wide availability of COVID-19 vaccines, at home testing kits, and updated isolation and quarantine guidance has prompted a revised public health approach. Beginning June 1^st, IDPH is shifting its COVID-19 contact tracing efforts and individual case investigations telephone calls to focus on a more strategic approach of automated case notification (see Monday’s IDPH press release: https://dph.illinois.gov/resource-center/news/2022/may/changeover-from-covid-19-individual-contact-tracing-calls-to--au.html).

MCHD COVID-19 Call Center will end after May 31^st:

MCHD is also shifting our COVID response in line with changes happening statewide. MCHD’s COVID-19 Call Center will cease operations on May 31^st at 4:01pm.

For COVID-19 Resources and Guidance: https://dph.illinois.gov/covid19.html

McLean County Health Department (MCHD) is reporting 655 new cases since last Friday, 05/20/2022, bringing our total of probable and confirmed cases to 53,579.

The weekly age breakdown for all cases added to the total is as follows:

COVID-related deaths are not reported out on the same day they occur. It may take days or even weeks to receive an official death certificate and cause of death. There have been 374 COVID-related deaths reported in McLean County. This includes 5 additional COVID-19 deaths: 4 males; one in his 50s, one in his 60s, one in his 80s, and one in his 90s; and one female in her 90s. None of the 5 deaths were associated with long-term care.

COVID-19 Community Level by County (includes hospitalization data): 

Presently, McLean County’s Community Level is Medium based on these combined indicators.

Data Updated: May 26, 2022

Case Rate/Total Cases (last 7 days): 384.80/100,000

New hospital admissions of confirmed COVID-19 (last 7 days): Total 16.0 admissions or 9.3/100,000

% Staffed inpatient beds in use by patients with confirmed COVID-19 (last 7 days): 4.5

Data through: May 24, 2022

In areas where the Community Level is Medium the CDC strongly recommends that those individuals at highest risk or who have high risk persons in their household should consider wearing masks in indoor public places. You can check your county’s level of community risk here: https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#datatracker-home

It’s also important to remember the following precautions, especially if you are at a high risk for serious illness:

• If you are immunocompromised or high risk for severe disease
  • Talk to your healthcare provider about whether you need to wear a mask and take other precautions (e.g., testing)
  • Have a plan for rapid testing if needed (e.g., having home tests or access to testing)
  • Talk to your healthcare provider about whether you are a candidate for treatments like oral antivirals, PrEP, and monoclonal antibodies
• If you have household or social contact with someone at high risk for severe disease
  • consider self-testing to detect infection before contact
  • consider wearing a mask when indoors with them
• Stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines and boosters
• Maintain improved ventilation throughout indoor spaces when possible
• Follow CDC recommendations for isolation and quarantine, including getting tested if you are exposed to COVID-19 or have symptoms of COVID-19

Click here to learn more about the Community Level framework and recommended prevention strategies: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/covid-by-county.html

COVID-19 Boosters Now Available:

MCHD is offering primary vaccines, first and second boosters to those qualify. Adolescents ages 5-11 are now eligible for COVID-19 boosters. 

• For CDC guidelines on who can get a booster visit: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/booster-shot.html?s_cid=11705:who%20is%20eligible%20for%20covid%20booster:sem.ga:p:RG:GM:gen:PTN:FY2
• To schedule any COVID-19 vaccine, including boosters, call:
  • Adult Immunizations (309) 888-5435
  • Child Immunizations (309) 888-5455

Approximately 279,888 doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered in McLean County and 61.41% of the population are fully vaccinated. 64.79% of Illinois residents are fully vaccinated. The IDPH has created a dashboard on their website to track vaccine delivered and administered in the state: https://dph.illinois.gov/covid19/vaccine/vaccine-data?county=McLean

Fully vaccinated McLean County residents by age category:

Age 5-11 = 39.40%

Age 12-17 = 63.65%

Age 18-64 = 63.11%

Age 65+ = 92.64%

New MCHD COVID-19 Testing Clinic Location:

MCHD is now offering COVID-19 testing clinics at the McLean County Customer Service Center* located in downtown Bloomington on East Street between Front and Washington. The McLean County Customer Service Station sits directly east from the McLean County Government building. This testing clinic location replaces the former clinic location at the Grossinger Motors Arena. Testing continues to be offered on a convenient walk-up basis where you can be registered on site. You may also register online in advance at https://health.mcleancountyil.gov/735/COVID-19-Local-Testing-Options 

The next testing clinics are scheduled for:

• Tuesday, 05/31 from 9am – 12 pm
• Wednesday, 06/01 from 9 am – 12 pm

The McLean County Customer Service Center is located in a government parking lot where parking is free for the first two hours. The lot is also handicap accessible.