Columbia/Boone County seeing an increase in COVID-19 cases
COLUMBIA, MO (KMIZ)
The Columbia/Boone County Public Health and Human Services department extended its health order after a significant increase in COVID-19 cases throughout the county, along with one case of the UK variant being found within the county.
Health department director Stephanie Browning made the decision to extend the health department's public health order after the number of COVID-19 cases increased.
"A couple of things that were concerning and led us to extend the order was the UK variant being reported here. That is concerning because there is a lot that we're still learning about it, studies and evidence do suggest that it does spread faster,", said Ashton Day, Health Educator for Columbia/Boone County Public Health and Human Services.
The previous health order extension went into effect on March 24 and was set to expire on April 14. Many restrictions on businesses in regards to occupancy were lifted and modified during that restriction.
Now, the health department says the new number of positive COVID-19 cases has been concerning. As it's seen a 300% increase in the 5 day rolling average of new COVID-19 cases within a 9 day period. The department says the 5-day rolling average was at 5 on March 31 and increased to 20 on April 9.
"As well as a small spike or increase in cases that we've seen just in the last week or 2, since spring break and Easter and those holidays, so we're keeping a close eye on that,", said Day.
The health department says the increase has been seen within the 18 to 24-year-old population, as they make up 19% of Boone county's population. That age group made up 44.7% of new cases the week of April 4. The department states this is the highest percentage of new cases within this particular population since the week of Sept. 7, 2020.
"We have seen an increase in cases with that age group, that 18-24, which is primarily what you would consider the college-age, those cases within the last week or so have risen about 300% which is very concerning,", said Day.
The UK variant was found in Boone County last Wednesday, the CDC says this particular variant could spread quickly. It is also the most common COVID-19 variant strain found within the U.S.
According to the health department, "As of April 12, there have been 68,871 first doses administered (38.2% of Boone County population) and 44,206 have completed vaccinations (24.5% of Boone County population)."
All Missourians 16 and older are now eligible to receive a vaccine as a part of Phase 3. Health officials encourage those who are eligible to contact a local vaccinator in order to get an appointment scheduled. MU has also announced appointment availability for its vaccination clinic on Friday and Saturday.
