WEDNESDAY UPDATES: Montgomery County reports two new COVID-19 related death since last week

Montgomery County Health Department reported the 19th and 20th COVID-19 related death in their weekly update.

Currently, the health department reports active cases remains at 76 cases, the same as last Wednesday.

The county has reported an increase of 65 cases in the last seven days, making a total of 733 total cases since March.

The department reports 63 new recoveries, bringing the total to 637 recoveries.

Boone County reports 124 new cases; active cases back above 900

Columbia/Boone County Department of Public Health and Human Services is reporting 124 new active cases, an increase of 44 cases from Tuesday. This is the first triple digit increase since Sunday.

The dashboard is currently reporting 909 active cases, an increase of 22 cases from Tuesday.

The county now has a reported total number of COVID-19 cases of 12,254 since March.

The county has reported the total number of cases removed from isolation is 11,305, an increase of 102 cases from Monday.

Columbia/Boone County Department of Public Health and Human Services dashboard has reported the latest five-day average as 108.

The dashboard is reporting the positivity rate currently sits at 33.9% for Dec. 4 through last Thursday.

The health department is reporting the total hospitalizations in Boone County at 130 cases, a drop of eight from Tuesday.

The number of Boone County residents hospitalized is reported to be 21.

The dashboard is reporting 36 COVID-19 patients in the ICU and 17 patients on ventilators.

The hospital status is still currently in the 'yellow' zone.

Outbreak of COVID-19 cases closes Boonville Public Works building til Dec. 28

Boonville Public Works is going to close the building down till Dec. 28 due to an increase of COVID-19 cases.

Residents can still make water payments by using the drop box located at 1200 Locust Street or at City Hall (cash or check only).

If someone needs to make a deposit for a new account (cash or check only), those can be received at City Hall until the Public Works office reopens.

If there is a water leak, sewer back up or other issues during normal business hours contact Boonville City Hall to report the issue. During off-hours, contact the City of Boonville police dispatch.

Pettis County reports five COVID-19 related deaths

Pettis County Health Center is reporting five COVID-19 related deaths. This is the seventh COVID-19 related death this week and brings the total number of deaths in the county to 47.

The county is also reporting a 176 active case drop from Tuesday. Currently, there are 644 active cases in the county.

The county is reporting 28 new cases bringing the total number of cases in the county to 3,826.

The health center is reporting 24 residents remain hospitalized from the coronavirus.

The county has reported 3,135 recoveries since March.

Unemployment inches down in Missouri

Unemployment is inching down in Missouri. But it's still higher than pre-pandemic levels.

The state's economic development department on Wednesday announced employment increased by 17,400 jobs last month, The Associated Press reported. The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate dropped from 4.6% in October to 4.4% in November.

Missouri's economy is still recovering from the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. Compared to the same time last year, the unemployment rate is 1% higher.

Employment dropped in Missouri government jobs and the hospitality field. There were employment gains in trade, transportation and utilities. Employment is also up in education and health care.

Audrain County hospital begins coronavirus vaccinations

St. Mary's Hospital in Audrain County began administering Pfizer's coronavirus vaccine Wednesday morning.

Dr. Simon McKeown, an SSM doctor who is also the medical director for the Audrain County Health Department, was among the first people to get a coronavirus vaccine shot at the hospital in Mexico, Missouri, the health department said on its Facebook page.

McKeown said Wednesday marked his 144th shift since the pandemic began and that he has treated 176 patients with COVID-19.

"I would urge anyone who has the opportunity to receive one of the COVID vaccines to do it," McKeown said in a quote posted to Facebook. "These vaccines cannot give you the disease, and they have been proven to be safe and effective."

The health department said it will receive vials of Moderna's vaccine on Dec. 21. The department is making appointments with health-care workers who are not part of the hospital system to begin their vaccinations.

As of Tuesday, Audrain County had 179 active cases of coronavirus. The health department reports 28 deaths associated with COVID-19. Three of those deaths were reported Friday.

Missouri reports 2,600 new COVID-19 cases, 45 virus-related deaths

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services reported more than 2,600 new COVID-19 cases and dozens of virus-related deaths on Wednesday morning.

An update on the department's coronavirus dashboard said 2,673 new cases over the last 24 hours brought the pandemic total up to 353,038.

Health officials also reported 45 new COVID-19 deaths. The pandemic total increased to 4,799.

The dashboard said Missouri ranked 18th in the nation for new virus-related deaths over the last week -- 109. It included the state was 20th in the US for new coronavirus cases over the same time period -- 19.665.

Virus-related hospitalizations decreased slightly on Wednesday. According to state hospital data, 2,529 were in statewide hospitals because of COVID-19. It's 45 fewer than the number reported on Tuesday.

Statewide ICU admissions increased slightly on Wednesday. The dashboard said 10 more admissions brought the total to 604.

Callaway County Health Department warns of possible COVID-19 exposure at wrestling meet

The Callaway County Health Department and Fulton Public Schools have warned residents of possible COVID-19 exposure at a recent wrestling meet.

The school district calendar said Fulton hosted the Wrestling Triangular meet from 5:45 - 9:15 p.m. on Thursday.

Anyone who attended the wrestling meet and develops covid symptoms is recommended to get tested, the health department release said.

As of Tuesday, Fulton Public Schools' coronavirus dashboard said there were 23 active COVID-19 cases reported across the district and 208 were quarantined because of exposure.

MU Health Care to start covid vaccinations

MU Health Care said it plans to vaccinate 900 front line workers Wednesday starting at 7 a.m.

University Hospital received a shipment of almost 3,000 Pfizer coronavirus vaccines on Tuesday.

The hospital said it hopes to vaccinate all front line workers by the end of December, with the next shipment of the vaccine expected to arrive Dec. 20. The third shipment is expected to come just a week later.

Brad Myers with MU Health Care said they are excited to be able to have a solution they can provide to their employees and eventually the community.

Boone Hospital is also expected to get a shipment of vaccines on Wednesday.

They had previously scheduled vaccinations to begin on Thursday.