Pettis County added 172 confirmed cases of COVID-19 on Tuesday, bringing the total number of cases to 6,684, according to the Pettis County Health Center.
“The number is a little higher this week due to the month end reconciliation which identifies cases that had not been reported previously,” the Pettis County COVID-19 Task Force briefing issued Tuesday said. “The preliminary case count for the month of August is 740 cases, which is an increase of 139 cases over the 601 cases reported in July. This is an increase of 18.7%.”
The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services is reporting Pettis County has a positivity rate of 12.9% for the past seven days, which is an improvement from 13.9% for last week with PCR testing. This week there were 715 PCR tests and 516 antigen tests for a total of 1,231. Last week there were 1,142 tests.
According to the briefing, the group with the highest number of new cases for Aug. 26 to Sept. 2 was 40-44-year-olds with 19 followed by 13-18-year-olds with 15. There were 37 individuals birth to 18 with positive cases reported in the time period. There are approximately 167 active cases in Pettis County residents.
“For the period Sept. 1-3, there were 46 positive tests reported and seven were fully vaccinated for a break-through rate of 17.9%, which leaves an unvaccinated rate of 82.1%,” the briefing said. “A significant majority of positive cases are unvaccinated.”
There are 14 individuals hospitalized at Bothwell Regional Health Center as compared to 19 last week. There are three patients on a ventilator as compared to six last week. The DHSS website now reports 88 deaths in Pettis County, up from 87 last week. A report was received this week of the death of two Pettis County residents. One was under the age of 40. Another area resident was under 30. Seven of the 14 hospitalized patients are between 30-59.
Pettis County has now vaccinated approximately 39.2% of the population with at least one dose. According to the state website, 16,576 Pettis County residents have received one dose and 14,303 are considered fully vaccinated, which is approximately 33.8% of the population. Pettis County is falling behind the state rate of 52.3% with at least one dose and 45.7% fully vaccinated. The state is reporting 63.4% of the population over 18 has at least one dose of vaccine and 55.8% are fully vaccinated. For Pettis County, 49.6% of the population 18+ has at least one dose and 43.2% are fully vaccinated. According to the new DHSS page, 21.6% of 12-17-year-olds have started vaccination and 15.2% are fully vaccinated. The briefing states this is a change from last week but there is now more accurate data available.
This week 611 doses of vaccine were given as compared to 645 doses of vaccine given to Pettis County residents last week.
Vaccines are available at AFC Urgent Care, some local pharmacies, at many community events as well as Katy Trail Community Health, Bothwell Regional Health Center and Pettis County Health Center. All vaccines are free.
A third dose is available to individuals with a weakened immune system due to illness or medications.
Pettis County Health Center has 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 for those unable to make their second dose appointment. Register by calling 660-827-1130, but appointments are not required.
OATS is providing transportation to vaccine clinics free of charge. To schedule transportation, call 1-800-276-6287.
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. Current Bothwell patients may register by calling 660-827-7900 or using Bothwell’s patient portal, MyBothwellHealth. Non-Bothwell patients should register by calling 660-827-7900.
People with COVID symptoms may see a provider in the Walk In Clinic to see if a rapid test is recommended. People should remain in their car and call 660-827-7900 to check in and receive further instructions.
Bothwell will offer vaccine clinics for Pfizer one and two from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 8 at Bothwell Healing Arts Center, second floor and from 1 to 4 p.m. Sept. 9 at Bothwell Truman Lake.
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.
Visit www.brhc.org/vaccine for all clinic dates.
Katy Trail Community Health is offering free vaccine and free testing at its Sedalia site, 821 Westwood Drive. The vaccine is available at Warsaw, Versailles, and Marshall locations. For testing, visit www.katytrailcommunityhealth.org or call 877-733-5824 to schedule an appointment.
