Missouri in “vulnerable position,” according to White House ‘Red Zone’ report
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)
The latest White House 'Red Zone' report says Missouri is in a "vulnerable position" going into fall and winter after COVID-19 test positivity and case rates were sustained at their highest levels during the past four weeks.
The report obtained by ABC News on Monday said Missouri reported 166 new cases per 100,000 people from Sept. 17 to Sept. 23, putting the state at eighth in the country for new cases. With a more than one percent increase in test positivity, the state moved from 10th in the country to eighth.
In mid-Missouri, nine counties were in the red zone for new cases:
- Cole
- Camden
- Laclede
- Pettis
- Pulaski
- Miller
- Cooper
- Saline
- Moniteau
Audrain, Randolph and Howard counties were all in the orange zone. While Boone, Callaway, Phelps, Morgan, Adair and Maries counties were in the yellow zone.
As part of its recommendations, the report said Missouri should rapidly scale up testing and target testing in areas with persistent high levels of transmission to help curb the spread of COVID-19. It added that new rapid, mobile testing supplies will be distributed in the coming weeks to help with that goal.
