THURSDAY UPDATES: Boone County reports 86 new COVID-19 cases, 1st time vaccination rate is 7.4%
Columbia/Boone County Department of Public Health and Human Services is reporting 86 new COVID-19 cases, a decrease of 44 cases from Wednesday.
The dashboard is currently reporting 622 active cases, an increase of 27 from Wednesday.
The county now has a reported total number of COVID-19 cases of 16,475.
The county has reported the total number of cases removed from isolation is 15,784, an increase of 59 from Wednesday.
Columbia/Boone County Department of Public Health and Human Services dashboard has reported the latest five-day average as 70.
The dashboard is reporting the positivity rate of 19.2% for Jan. 15 through last Thursday.
The health department is reporting the total number of hospitalizations in Boone County is 79.
The number of Boone County residents hospitalized is reported to be 22.
The dashboard is reporting 25 COVID-19 patients in the ICU and 15 patients on ventilators.
The hospital status is still currently in the 'yellow' zone.
According to the Missouri Vaccine Dashboard, Boone County has the largest number of people vaccinated against COVID-19 with 5,992 having received their second dose.
The county also has the largest percentage of people that have received at least one dose of the vaccine with 7.4%. Cole County is second with 6.7%.
Mid-Missouri hosting three mass vaccinating sites
Mid-Missouri will soo be hosting three mass vaccinating sites with the help of the Missouri National Guard.
Gov. Mike Parson announced nine sites (Missouri State Highway Patrol regions) across Missouri that will host the mass vaccination events.
This week's vaccine sites by Region/County:
A - Pettis
B - Randolph
C - Lincoln
D - Jasper/Newton
E - Cape Girardeau
F - Audrain
G - Howell
H - Andrew
I - Pulaski
Officials say the vaccination sites will have the capability to provide up to 2,500 doses per day, per team.
Randolph County
In Randolph County, the health department will be hosting a coronavirus vaccine drive-thru Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Riley Pavilion in Rothwell Park.
This event is open to anyone who falls in Phase 1A or 1B of the Missouri vaccination plan, but you must pre-register at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A0448A8AF2FA6FE3-covid.
Audrain County
The Audrain County Health Department said the clinic opens at 9 a.m. Friday at the Mexico Memorial Airport. Anyone in Tiers 1 and 2 of Phase 1B of the state's vaccination plan can get the shot.
No registration is needed to receive the vaccine, the department requests for people to bring a form of I.D.
Pettis County
Bothwell Regional Health Center and Pettis County Health Center will host a mass vaccination site on January 28, 29, and 30, in Sedalia.
The event is at the MO-AG Theatre on the Missouri State Fairgrounds in Sedalia.
All available appointments are being filled by people who have preregistered, and about 2,200 people are expected to be vaccinated at this event. No walk-in appointments will be available.
To register go to http://brhc.org/services/covid-19_vaccine_information.aspx and fill out the pre-registration form. Appointments are scheduled based on the pre-registration forms received. Individuals will be screened and approved according to the phases outlined by DHSS.
SSM Health drive-thru testing site reducing hours of operation
SSM Health is reporting their drive-thru testing site in Jefferson City is reducing its hours of operation.
Beginning Monday, the testing site will be open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to noon and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sundays and remains closed on Saturdays.
The testing site is located at the Health Plaza East entrance of the hospital, 2505 Mission Dr. in Jefferson City.
A physician’s order is required for testing. Anyone who feels sick and has symptoms consistent with COVID-19 should contact their primary care provider.
Missouri COVID-19 positivity rate continues fall, hits levels not seen since October
Missouri's seven-day COVID-19 positivity rate continues to fall and has now hit levels not seen in months.
On Thursday, the state health department reported the positivity rate was at 10.2% -- slightly lower than the rate reported on Wednesday. It still indicates widespread COVID-19, according to CDC data.
The last time the rate was near the same level was on Oct. 13 -- according to the dashboard.
The rate has decreased by nearly half since January started -- it was up to 19.6% on New Year's Day. Since its peak at 24.4% in mid-November, the positivity rate has mostly fallen.
The health department reported 1,636 new coronavirus cases on Thursday bringing the pandemic total up to 454,573.
Workers also reported 16 additional virus-related deaths. The dashboard said 6,725 have died from COVID-19 since the pandemic started.
Missouri administered more than 25,000 coronavirus vaccine doses over the last day. As of Thursday morning, the total doses administered were up to 400,236, according to the vaccination dashboard.
State hospital officials say virus-related hospitalizations were down to 1,908 on Thursday. COVID-19 ICU admissions were lower as well at 427.
