Pettis County added 23 confirmed cases of COVID-19 on Monday, bringing the total number of cases to 11,991, according to the Pettis County Health Center.
“On March 31, the Governor transitioned from pandemic to endemic stage,” the Pettis County COVID-19 Task Force briefing stated on Monday. “As a result, the data available from the Department of Health and Senior Services has changed significantly. Data such as positivity rates, number of tests conducted and vaccination rates will no longer be available at the county level. The Department of Health and Senior Services will provide weekly updates on Friday of cases in a county and the case rate. The Health Center will continue to collect data to the best of our ability to keep the community informed. We have not received additional guidance on how data will be collected going forward.”
The most significant concern is the increase in cases, the briefing states. As of Thursday, there were two new positive cases reported. As of Monday, April 4, there were 23 new cases reported. For the previous week, there were five new cases reported.
The health center continues to receive late case reports. The case count per 100,000 for the past seven days is 9.4/100,000 as compared to 14/100,000 last week. This is an increase of 36 cases in the past week and 65 cases in the past two weeks.
The omicron variant is still circulating. The omicron BA2 variant is becoming the dominant variant and is causing increased cases in Europe and parts of the U.S.
The vaccine breakthrough for the week ending April 1 is not available. The updated report will be included next week.
Influenza cases continue to increase. As of April 4, there were 878 cases of influenza reported. There were 75 cases of influenza A and three cases of influenza B reported last week. There are two individuals hospitalized with influenza.
As of Friday, there were 477 hospitalized in Missouri with COVID as compared to 595 hospitalized with COVID last week. There are 61 people in ICU as compared to 95 people in ICU last week.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has released new guidance regarding mask-wearing based on the risk for your county. Pettis County is in the yellow or medium risk category. The guidance for a medium-risk county is as follows: Stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines and get tested if you have symptoms. If you are a high-risk individual, talk to your physician about precautions to take. Anyone should feel comfortable wearing a mask and high-risk individuals should check with their doctor.
There are four individuals hospitalized at Bothwell Regional Health Center as compared to zero last week. The final DHSS report lists 125 deaths in Pettis County with a confirmed PCR test and 34 deaths with a positive antigen test
Pettis County Health Center has regular walk-in clinics from 9 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. Tuesdays.
While the CDC has relaxed masking in indoor settings for communities, the guidance does not apply to health care settings where universal masking is still required for now. Visiting hours are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Bothwell and all visitor guidelines can be found at brhc.org/visitors. Beginning Tuesday, April 5, the hospital’s southwest doors will be open from 6 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday for patients, visitors and employees.
People who test positive who have a particularly high risk of progressing to more severe disease need a prescription/order from a local physician for treatment. Contact your health care professional as quickly as possible after testing positive. Two of the medications can only be started within five days of onset of symptoms. People can no longer self-refer for infusions by calling the hospital.
Following recent U.S. Food and Drug Administration and CDC action, the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services has said a second booster dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine may be administered to all individuals 50 years and older and to moderately to severely immune-compromised individuals 12 years and older. Those who are eligible may receive a second booster dose at least four months after their initial booster dose to increase their protection against severe disease from COVID-19. Adults aged 18 to 49 who received the Johnson & Johnson primary and booster vaccine who are not moderately or severely immunocompromised may receive a booster dose of a Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine at least four months after their last dose.
People who want the Pfizer two-dose primary vaccine series or a booster dose can visit the Bothwell Walk-In Clinic located on the first floor of the Bothwell Healing Arts Center at 3700 W. 10th St. in Sedalia. The last public vaccine clinic will be from 10 to 11 a.m. April 13 on the second floor of the Bothwell Healing Arts Center.
The Pfizer vaccine is available for children aged 5 to 11. People who want the vaccine for their child in that age group can make appointments at Bothwell TLC Pediatrics from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Thursdays by calling 660-829-5852 or 660-829-8888 or at Bothwell Health Center-Truman Lake in Warsaw from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Fridays by calling 660-438-6800.
Katy Trail Community Health Is providing Pfizer vaccine to community members from 1 to 6 p.m. Wednesdays and Fridays at 816 Westwood Drive.
