More deaths reported as counties await arrival of virus vaccine

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.

Phase 1A is healthcare workers, long-term care facility residents and staff while Phase 1B is high risk populations. Phase 2 is populations at increased risk and Phase 3 is widespread availability for all Missouri residents.

Parson said this week he expects Missouri to receive a shipment of approximately 37,000 doses of the Pfizer vaccine and 36,000 doses of the Moderna vaccine.

“We now have 351 approved vaccine providers across the state, including 344 Phase 1A and 1B providers,” Parson said. “We are working through the vaccine plan as quickly and efficiently as possible.”

Local health departments, like the New Madrid County Health Department, are reporting they have not yet received the vaccine. According to the New Madrid County Health Department, once they receive the vaccine, they will administer it by appointment only.

“It is important to remember the current demand for the vaccine is much greater than the supply,” Parson said, adding once they feel they are close to completing Phase 1A they will begin Phase 1B. “This is a gradual and ongoing process.”

While the area waits for the vaccine, several deaths have been reported in the area.

Five Scott County residents have died related to COVID-19 since Monday. The Scott County Health Department reported the death of three people on Tuesday afternoon, one person in their 70s and the other two in their 80s.

On Wednesday the health department reported that two individuals in their 90s died related to the virus, making 68 deaths since the pandemic began.

The health department reported 33 new cases on Tuesday and an additional 19 cases Wednesday while 113 have recovered in the last two days, leaving 826 active cases along with 3,544 recoveries.

The New Madrid County Health Department reported seven deaths related to the virus over the holidays making 38 residents who have died since March.

To date there are 47 active cases in New Madrid County with 1,840 out of quarantine.

In Stoddard County 38 new cases have been reported in the last two days along with 22 more recoveries. As of Wednesday afternoon, the Stoddard County Public Health Center reported 112 active cases and 60 deaths along with 2,567 recoveries.

Four deaths were reported in Cape Girardeau County on Tuesday, making 119 since the pandemic began. One death was a resident in their 60s, another in their 70s, another in their 80s and one in their 90s.

Currently there are 1,671 active cases in Cape Girardeau County with 6,304 cases resolved.

There are 45 active cases in Pemiscot County with 10 hospitalizations while 31 deaths have been reported and 1,432 have been released from isolation.

In Dunklin County there are 51 active cases with 18 deaths reported along with 2,684 recoveries.