Coronavirus (COVID-19) updates

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. – In accordance with the directive from the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, Saint Francis Healthcare System will begin vaccinating individuals in Phase 1B Tier 2 on Wednesday, Jan. 20, in addition to those in Phase 1A and 1B Tier 1...

New Madrid County is the latest county to begin a waiting list for the COVID-19 vaccine. On Friday morning, the New Madrid County Health Department said in a social media post they currently do not have a date when the vaccine will be available to the general public, but residents wanting the vaccine can put their name on a waiting list...

SIKESTON — The first semester of school during a pandemic wasn’t without its challenges, but for the most part, it’s gone as well as it could, and the Sikeston R-6 superintendent thinks the second semester will be even better. “When we ended the school year, we didn’t know what school would be like in the fall, but we were hoping we would be able to have in-person learning for our kids because we thought that’s what is best,” Sikeston R-6 Superintendent Dr. ...

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo.– Gov. Mike Parson announced on Thursday the activation of Phase 1B - Tier 1 of Missouri’s COVID-19 Vaccination Plan.  Federal partners have informed the state that they plan to significantly increase vaccine supply next week and that individuals 65 and older and those with comorbidities should be prioritized. This news allows the state to begin the process of activating Phase 1B tiers. ...

The number of active COVID-19 cases locally continues to decline. On Wednesday afternoon, the Scott County Health Department reported 20 new cases and 61 recoveries. Currently, the number of active cases is at 668, the lowest number since Nov. 17. There have been 2,905 recoveries and 71 deaths...

On Thursday, Missouri Gov. Mike Parson activated Phase 1B of the state’s vaccine distribution plan while local health departments are making a plan to get the vaccine administered to the local community.

As the number of new COVID-19 cases continues to slow in the area, five additional deaths were reported in the area since Friday. The Scott County Health Department reported one death over the weekend, a resident in their 60s. The death is 71st in the county since the pandemic began.

Scott County has the fewest number of active COVID-19 cases since Nov. 19. On Thursday, the Scott County Health Department reported 19 new cases and 96 recoveries Thursday afternoon leaving the county with 749 active cases, the lowest number of actives since November...

As local county health departments continue to wait for the arrival of the COVID-19 vaccine, deaths due to the coronavirus continue to be reported. Missouri Gov. Mike Parson said Wednesday that 105,000 doses of the vaccine have been administered, not counting the vaccines that have been given at long-term living facilities. He added that they anticipate receiving “an adequate supply” of the vaccine by the end of January to complete Phase 1A of the state’s vaccination plan...

John J. Pershing VA Medical Center has started calling veteran patients 85 and over to offer appointments to receive the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. The medical center will administer vaccinations beginning Thursday, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekdays, as well as on Saturdays, Jan. 16 and Jan. 30. Clinical staff will be available to patients for consultation and assistance throughout the vaccination process...

As states brace for a coronavirus surge following holiday gatherings, the number of new cases locally has been somewhat subdued but seven deaths were reported in the area since Friday. Scott County has reported 42 new cases since Friday with 35 recoveries. As of Monday afternoon, the Scott County Health Department was reporting 894 active cases with 2,535 recoveries. There has been 63 deaths...

In a poll conducted by the Standard Democrat, a majority of those who voted said they would take the COVID-19 vaccine when it becomes available. Over 500 votes were cast with 297 (53.1%) saying they would take the vaccine. “Why wouldn’t I,” commented one person on Facebook. “Not only will it protect me but it will protect others. This is really a no brainer if you believe in science.”...

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – During Wednesday's briefing at the State Capitol, Gov. Mike Parson provided an update on Missouri's progress with COVID-19 vaccinations.  “Missouri has now received shipments of both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccine, and we have been successfully administering vaccines for more than two weeks,” Parson said. ...

Residents and staff of long-term care facilities in Missouri began receiving the vaccine for COVID-19 on Monday, as the state moves into the second phase of inoculations. CVS Health and Walgreens are administering the vaccinations at skilled nursing and assisted living facilities. While less than 1% of the country’s population lives in long-term care facilities, as of Dec. 24 those in long-term care facilities accounted for 38% of US COVID-19 deaths...

Seven deaths related to COVID-19 were reported by the Scott County Health Department on Friday, the biggest one-day death total in the county since the pandemic began in March. The deaths, which were reported late Friday afternoon, involved a resident in their 30s, another in their 50s, two in their 60s, one in their 70s and two in their 80s. There has been 59 deaths reported in the county since March...