White House ‘red zone’ report suggests UK COVID-19 variant spreading in Missouri

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The new White House Red Zone Report, obtained by ABC News, says an acceleration in cases this fall/winter suggests the UK variant is spreading in Missouri communities.

As of Jan. 2, 218,000 vaccine doses have been distributed to the state. Health officials in the state have vaccinated 89,565 people with the first dose.

The report also shows Missouri is in the red zone for cases, indicating 101 or more new cases per 100,000 population. Missouri has the 33rd highest rate in the country.

The state also remains in the red zone for test positivity, indicating a rate at or above 10.1%. Missouri has the 13th highest rate in the country.

The report says Missouri has seen stability in new cases but an increase in test positivity.

Right now, Boone County has the highest positivity rate in mid-Missouri and ranks among the top 12 counties across the state for new cases in the last three weeks.

The White House ranks 88 Missouri counties in the red zone. In mid-Missouri, that includes Boone, Cole, Callaway, Audrain, Camden, and Cooper counties, along with a few others.

Daily cases are down across the state since the peak in November but cases are still higher than much of the summer's average case rates.

The report says White House officials want Missourians to understand virus levels are high and that proactive testing and vaccination will help slow the spread.

Of course, the best way to prevent spread of any variant is to distance, wear masks and stay home if sick.