Greene County Health Department reports 37 COVID-19 deaths in January, 1,917 cases for children 5-17

(From the Springfield-Greene County Health Department)

The Springfield-Greene County Health Department is highlighting important COVID-19 data from the month of January.

Key Point:

The Health Department is encouraging parents in Greene County to help slow the surge after January data shows an increase of almost 300% in COVID-19 cases among kids aged 5-17.

 

In January alone, 1,917 children aged 5-17 tested positive for COVID-19 compared to 494 positive cases in Dec. 2021. Case rates per 1,000 in this age group are also high when compared to the case rate for adults over 18. In January, the case rate per 1,000 for children aged 5-17 years old was 81, while those in the 18 and older age group had a case rate of 58.3.

The surge in this age group is likely due to the easily transmissible Omicron variant along with low vaccine rates. At a vaccination rate of 15% for 5–11-year olds and 34% for 12–20-years old, these age groups have the lowest vaccination rates in Greene County and are significantly lower than state and US vaccination averages.

Anyone 5 and older are encouraged to get a primary series of a COVID-19 vaccine, and boosters are available for anyone 12 years and older. Unvaccinated adolescents are 8 times more likely to be hospitalized from COVID-19, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

There are several ways families in Greene County can help slow the surge, which includes protecting oneself or their children by choosing vaccination. Getting vaccinated and receiving a booster can save lives. To learn more about booking a vaccine or booster, please visit vaccine417.com or call (417) 874-1211.

Other COVID-19 data from January:

Cases:

As of 1/31, the 7-day rolling average of COVID-19 cases increased by 118%, with an average of 425 cases per day compared to 195 on 1/1.
Those in the 31-40 age group had the highest increase in COVID-19 cases. From Jan. 17-Jan. 30, there were 1,609 reported cases within this age group, compared to 1,163 from Jan. 3-Jan.16.
Young adults aged 23-30 were the second largest age group for reported COVID-19 cases at 1,378 cases from Jan. 17-Jan.30.

Infants aged 0-4 surpassed 500 cases for the first-time during Jan. 2022.

Death/Hospitalizations:

Springfield-Greene County lost 37 lives in January due to COVID-19 complications.
1 woman in her 30s
1 man in his 30s
5 women in their 40s
2 men in their 40s
1 woman in her 50s
4 men in their 50s
7 men in their 60s
2 women in their 60s
4 women in their 70s
7 men in their 70s
1 man in his 80s
1 woman in her 80s
1 woman in her 90s



As of Jan. 31, there were 236 people hospitalized.

*This number represents confirmed COVID-19 deaths that occurred in January. This number could change based on delayed reports.

Vaccination:
As of Jan. 31st, 159,927 first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been administered and 145,896 second doses have been administered in Greene County.
The Springfield-Greene County Health Department Vaccination Clinic has administered nearly 13,000 total COVID-19 vaccine doses as of Jan. 31.
75% of the vaccines administered were 3rd doses
13% of the vaccines administered were 1st doses
Those aged 12-64 made up 48% of those who have received vaccine doses.



For more information on eligibility and to book a vaccination appointment, please visit vaccine417.com, or call the call center at 417-874-1211.