All of Mid-Missouri still in high transmission level of COVID-19

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

As the delta variant continues to spread across Missouri, the most recent state profile report shows all but three counties in the "red zone" or high transmission level of COVID-19.

Currently, 112 counties in Missouri, including all of Mid-Missouri, are in the "red zone." Two counties, Pemiscot and Worth, are in the "orange" or substantial level, and one county, Schuyler, has emerged in the "yellow" or moderate transmission level.

The CDC guidelines state anyone in an area of high or substantial transmission should wear a mask indoors no matter vaccination status, meaning everyone except residents in Schuyler are recommended to wear masks.

According to the CDC report, there was an 11% increase in new cases and a 67% increase in new COVID-19 deaths. This comes as the state nears 10,000 total deaths from the pandemic.

Hospitalizations also increased by 12% and 31 hospitals in Missouri are currently short staffed. This means that more than a quarter of Missouri hospitals don't have enough workers to deal with the surge in patients.

The postivity rate did decrease, though, by 0.5%, now sitting at 13.9%.

The state profile report also shows 49.6% of the total population in Missouri have had at least one dose of the vaccine, and 41.9% of people are fully vaccinated.