Pettis County added 95 confirmed cases of COVID-19 on Tuesday, bringing the total number of cases to 6,684, according to the Pettis County Health Center.
“The (Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services) website is reporting Pettis County has a positivity rate of 11.2% for the past seven days, which is a slight increase from 11.1% for the last week with PCR testing,” the Pettis County COVID-19 Task Force briefing stated on Monday. “This week there were 499 PCR tests and 408 antigen tests for a total of 907. Last week there were 904 tests.”
According to the Pettis County Health Center, from Sept. 24-30 the groups with the highest number of new cases were 30-34-year-olds with 18 and 13-18-year-olds with 13. There were 20 individuals birth to 18 with positive cases reported in the time period. Since July 1, 21.22% (same as last week) or 398 of total cases are in individuals 0-18 years of age.
“For the period Sept. 27 to Oct. 3 there were 80 positive tests reported and 19 were fully vaccinated for a breakthrough rate of 23.7% which leaves an unvaccinated rate of 76.3%,” the briefing said. “Most of the breakthrough cases received the Pfizer vaccine. The month of last vaccination for the highest number of cases was February with four followed by January, March and April with three each.”
As of Friday, according to the briefing, there were 1,420 hospitalized in Missouri as compared to 1,543 hospitalized with COVID last week. There are 367 people in ICU and 252 on ventilators as compared to 405 people in ICU and 263 on ventilators last week.
There are eight individuals hospitalized at Bothwell Regional Health Center as compared to 21 last week. The age range is 45-96. There is one patient on a ventilator as compared to four last week. The ventilator patient was not vaccinated. The DHSS website now reports 99 deaths in Pettis County up from 96 last week.
Approximately 41.2% of the population of Pettis County residents have started vaccination. According to the state website, 17,453 Pettis County residents have started vaccination and 15,508 are considered fully vaccinated, which is approximately 36.6% of the population. Pettis County is falling behind the state rate of 53.9% who have started vaccination and 48% fully vaccinated. The state is reporting 65.4% of the population over 18 has started and 58.3% are fully vaccinated.
For Pettis County, 52.2% of the population 18 and older have started vaccination and 46.5% are fully vaccinated. According to the DHSS website, 23.3% of 12-17-year-olds have started vaccination and 19.1% are fully vaccinated.
Pettis County Health Center has regular walk-in clinics from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tuesdays, from 8:30 a.m. to noon Thursdays and from noon to 3 p.m. Fridays. First doses are available as well as second doses and third/booster doses.
Following the DHSS amended state order, Bothwell is now providing the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine booster shot for those who are eligible at all existing vaccine clinics.
People who received the Pfizer vaccine can receive a booster shot at least six months after their initial series based on this guidance:
● People 65 years and older and residents in long-term care settings should receive a booster;
● People aged 50–64 years with underlying medical conditions should receive a booster;
● People aged 18–49 years with underlying medical conditions may receive a booster; and
● People aged 18-64 years who are at increased risk for COVID-19 exposure and transmission because of occupational or institutional settings (e.g., frontline medical workers, teachers, first responders, food and agriculture workers, manufacturing workers, corrections workers, U.S. Postal Service workers, public transit workers, grocery store workers) may receive a booster.
Those with an underlying medical condition are encouraged to speak with their health care provider about whether a booster shot is right for them. People can also get the flu vaccine at the same time they receive the COVID-19 booster shot.
Pfizer vaccine clinics are available from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 6 at Bothwell Healing Arts Center, second floor, and from 1 to 4 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 7 at Bothwell Truman Lake in Warsaw for people ages 12 and up.
People may walk in; however, appointments are encouraged by calling 660-829-8888 or scheduling in Bothwell’s patient portal, MyBothwellHealth at www.brhc.org/portal or in the MHealth app. There is no charge for the vaccine.
Visit www.brhc.org/vaccine for all clinic locations and dates.
The state-run Monoclonal Antibody Infusion Center at Bothwell continues to offer treatment for people with a positive COVID-19 result and who have had onset of symptoms within the last 10 days. The center is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Sunday. People may call the center’s referral number at 660-829-6647 to be screened for potential treatment that can prevent severe illness and hospitalization. There is no cost. People who have had a high-risk exposure to a COVID-19 positive person should speak with their provider about receiving treatment since they may also be eligible.
Bothwell offers drive-thru COVID-19 testing at its Healing Arts Center at 3700 W. 10th St. in Sedalia. Hours are 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to noon Saturday. People must register before arriving at the testing location by calling 660-827-7900. Current Bothwell patients may register by calling or scheduling their own COVID-19 testing appointment in Bothwell’s patient portal, MyBothwellHealth at www.brhc.org/portal or in the MHealth app.
Only standard PCR tests will be given in drive-thru testing. People with COVID symptoms may see a provider in the Walk In Clinic to see if a rapid test is recommended.
Katy Trail Community Health is offering free vaccine and free testing at its Sedalia site, 821 Westwood Drive. Vaccine is also available at locations in Warsaw, Versailles, and Marshall. For testing, go to www.katytrailcommunityhealth.org.
The DHSS reported a seven-day total of 7,053 confirmed cases for an average of 1,008 per day. There were a total of 22 deaths attributed to COVID-19 in Missouri during the last seven days, representing an average of three deaths per day. There were a total of 100,611 vaccinations, representing an average of 14,373 per day.