THURSDAY UPDATES: Boone County reports 63 new COVID cases; patients hospitalized due to COVID drops below 30

The Columbia/Boone County Department of Public Health and Human Services is reporting that 63 new coronavirus cases were added to the information hub on Wednesday. The county reported 55 cases on Tuesday and the rest of the cases were reported in the month of July.

The county delays reporting cases by two days.

The dashboard is showing 29 COVID-19 patients in Boone County hospitals. There are three patients in the ICU and one patient is on a ventilator.

The health care system capacity moved back to green. Green status means:

• Operating within licensed bed capacity; accepting patient transfers from referring hospitals within standard care operating procedures. 

Additionally, 49,109 COVID-19 cases were recorded previously.

Boone County is reported to have a high COVID-19 community level, according to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS). 

Here are the CDC's risk mitigation recommendations for the red (high) level:

• Wear a mask indoors in public
• Stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines
• Get tested if you have symptoms
• Additional precautions may be needed for people at high risk for severe illness

If you took a COVID-19 test at home that was positive, Boone County is also encouraging those that took the test to report the results at the link.

Cole County reports 15 new COVID cases

The Cole County Health Department reported 15 new coronavirus cases on Thursday. The county reported two new cases on Tuesday and 13 new cases on Wednesday.

In the week prior to July 22, there were 73 COVID positive cases, 44 breakthrough cases and zero COVID deaths.

According to a release, 61% or 46,850 of Cole County residents have received at least one dose of the COVID Vaccine.