Cole County among Mid-Missouri leaders in coronavirus vaccinations
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Cole County is in the top 20 among Missouri counties for the percentage of its population getting a coronvirus shot.
And the county is seeing a sustained downward trend in coronavirus cases, according to numbers posted on its weekly dashboard report.
Since March 16, 2020, the county has reported 7,889 cases and 111 deaths from COVID-19.
"As you can see our positivity rate and our numbers of positive cases has continued to decline," Cole County Health Department Director Kristi Campbell told ABC 17 News this week. "Our hospitalizations have continued to decline and then more people are getting vaccinated so it's really a good trend for Cole County."
According to the state's COVID-19 dashboard, just over 18,000 doses of the coronavirus vaccine have been given out to Cole residents. The state reports 15% of the Cole County population have received at least one dose of the vaccine.
Cole County ranks 18th out of 115 counties (including the city of St. Louis) in Missouri and second in Mid-Missouri behind Montgomery County, where 16% of the population has received at least one dose.
Watch this week's coronavirus briefing from Cole County leaders in the player below.
Shelby County ranks first with 21.2% of the population receiving at least one dose of the vaccine and Pulaski County comes in last with only 4.5% of the county population receiving the vaccine.
Currently, eligible residents able to receive the coronavirus vaccine must fall within the state's current vaccination phase, which is up to Phase 1B Tier 2. That group includes people 65 and over and those with certain health conditions.
Gov. Mike Parson is expected to make an announcement regarding vaccinations at a 3:15 p.m. press briefing at the Capitol on Thursday afternoon.
Cole County health care organizations are working with the Missouri National Guard to hold a second-dose mass coronavirus vaccination event Friday at The Linc. A clinic for first doses was held Feb. 5.
Campbell said 2,061 people were given the Pfizer vaccine at the first event.
Campbell said in a news release that the clinic will be organized in a way "almost identical" to the first-dose clinic.
"We ask that everyone bring back the white card they were given the first day and if they have lost it, we will have someone there who can check them in and help them fill out another one," Campbell said. "They will be asked to fill out a consent form again ... we do need your consent every time we give you a vaccine."
She said individuals are able to print off consent forms from the Cole County Health Department's website and the documents will be available at the event.
Campbell said the clinic will employ the same process of seating people in rows.
"You sit in your row, get your vaccine, wait your 15 minutes and then you leave," Campbell said.
She said she believed the longest wait time on Feb. 5 was around 35 minutes from entrance to exit. Campbell said 72 people are scheduled at 15-minute intervals.
