Number of active COVID-19 cases in local counties twice what they were one year ago

As students return to classes they are once again confronted with the COVID-19 pandemic with the number of active cases in local counties over twice what they were a year ago.

On Monday, the Scott County Health Department reported 46 new COVID-19 cases since Friday, leaving the county with 330 active cases. A year ago, Scott County had 140 active cases.

There have been 89 deaths related to COVID-19 since the pandemic began.

Due to the increase in the number of positive cases in Scott County, the health department is warning residents they are unable to call each and every positive case.

“Please be patient as we try to call as many positives as we can,” they said in a statement released on social media. “Our COVID data reporting may also be delayed. Thank you for your patience.”

Mississippi County is facing a similar increase. On Monday the Mississippi County Health Department reported 60 new cases since Aug. 17. They currently have 119 active cases, almost double the 60 active cases they had one year ago. There have been 32 COVID deaths in the county.

The New Madrid County Health Department had not released any new numbers as of Tuesday morning, but the last report issued had the county with 106 active cases on Aug. 13. There were just 36 cases reported in New Madrid County one year ago.

In Stoddard County, there were 53 new cases since Friday, giving the county 217 active cases. One year ago, Stoddard County had just 49 cases. There have been 80 deaths related to COVID-19 in the county since the pandemic began.

Testing

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) is planning to hold a free COVID-19 testing event in Sikeston on Wednesday. Testing will take place in the YMCA parking lot from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. No pre-registration or appointment is needed.

A DHSS wastewater testing report suggested there has been a possible increase in COVID-19 transmission in Scott County over the last several weeks and traces of the Delta variant have been found.

Vaccinations

In Missouri, 51.1% of those eligible have initiated vaccination with 44.2% completing the vaccination process.

Locally, numbers are well below the state average. In Scott County, 39.4% have initiated vaccination while 34.2% have completed the vaccination process.

In Mississippi County, 38.2% of residents have initiated the vaccination process while 32.6% have completed the process.

In New Madrid County, only 29.1% of residents have initiated the vaccination process while 24.1% have completed the process.

In Stoddard County, 34.4% of residents have initiated the vaccination process while 28.5% have completed the process.

For those interested in getting the vaccine, there are plenty of opportunities.

• The Scott County Health Department is offering the Pfizer vaccine, which is for individuals aged 12 and up. Call 573-471-4044 to set up an appointment.

• The Mississippi County Health Department is having a Moderna Vaccine Clinic on Wednesday. Those needing their first or second dose of Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, can schedule an appointment for Wednesday at their Charleston location.

This vaccine clinic is for those 18 and older and those interested can call 573-683-2191.

• The New Madrid County Health Department offers the Moderna COVID vaccine for individuals 18 years and up every Monday. To make an appointment call 573-748-5541.

• Southeast Health offers Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine clinics every Tuesday and Wednesday from 8 a.m. to noon in Suite 120 at Southeast Medical Plaza located at 1723 Broadway in Cape. You must have an appointment. Walk-ins will not be accepted. To schedule your vaccine, call 573-519-4522.

• The Missouri Delta Medical Center is scheduling Pfizer vaccine appointments for ages 12 and up by calling 471-0200.

• Other vaccination opportunities can be found at MOStopsCovid.com.

Hospitalizations

According to Saint Francis Hospital, there are 44 patients hospitalized due to COVID. Of the 44, 42 are unvaccinated and two are partially vaccinated. There are 35 in the COVID Care Unit with 24 on floor status and 11 on ICU status.

There are 18 on ventilators. All 18 are unvaccinated.

According to Southeast Health there are 32 COVID-19 hospitalizations with 28 unvaccinated. There are nine COVID-19 patients currently on ventilators.