(From the Springfield-Greene County Health Department)The Springfield-Greene County Health Department is reporting a 37% increase in cases of COVID-19 over the last 7 days. This includes two consecutive days of 63 new positive cases prior to the holiday weekend. According to data collected in patient interviews, 97% of positive cases in Greene County are among individuals who are not fully vaccinated.
Last week, the Health Department received confirmation of three cases of the Indian variant B.1.617 of SARS-CoV-2 among Greene County residents.
Early research indicates that the natural immunity resulting from having COVID-19 may be ineffective against this variant. A study published by researchers from Emory University shows promise that individuals fully vaccinated with Pfizer and Moderna immunizations could still neutralize the B.1.617 variant.
In Greene County, just 38% of individuals who are 18 and older are fully vaccinated. This is behind both the statewide rate of 44.1%, and the national rate of 51.5%. While the COVID-19 vaccine is widely available throughout our community, the rate of vaccination has slowed significantly.
Vaccines have proven themselves to be a long-term solution to prevent the spread of COVID-19. If the vaccination rate continues to slow, our community will continue seeing spikes in COVID-19 cases among the unvaccinated.
The Health Department urges everyone 12 and up to get vaccinated at the next available opportunity. Vaccination opportunities, walk-in and by-appointment, from the Health Department and Jordan Valley Community Health Center can be found at vaccine417.com or by calling our COVID-19 Call Center at 417-874-1211. Appointments can be booked with Mercy at mercy.net/MOVaccine and CoxHealth by calling 417-269-INFO (4636).
In the meantime, the Health Department strongly recommends that unvaccinated individuals continue wearing masks and practicing physical distancing. Many places still require all guests or those who are not fully vaccinated to mask and we ask that everyone respect those requirements. Together, by remaining vigilant and getting vaccinated, we can bring an end to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In Greene County, just 38% of individuals who are 18 and older are fully vaccinated. This is behind both the statewide rate of 44.1%, and the national rate of 51.5%. While the COVID-19 vaccine is widely available throughout our community, the rate of vaccination has slowed significantly.
Vaccines have proven themselves to be a long-term solution to prevent the spread of COVID-19. If the vaccination rate continues to slow, our community will continue seeing spikes in COVID-19 cases among the unvaccinated.
The Health Department urges everyone 12 and up to get vaccinated at the next available opportunity. Vaccination opportunities, walk-in and by-appointment, from the Health Department and Jordan Valley Community Health Center can be found at vaccine417.com or by calling our COVID-19 Call Center at 417-874-1211. Appointments can be booked with Mercy at mercy.net/MOVaccine and CoxHealth by calling 417-269-INFO (4636).
In the meantime, the Health Department strongly recommends that unvaccinated individuals continue wearing masks and practicing physical distancing. Many places still require all guests or those who are not fully vaccinated to mask and we ask that everyone respect those requirements. Together, by remaining vigilant and getting vaccinated, we can bring an end to the COVID-19 pandemic.
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