FRIDAY UPDATES: Boone County COVID-19 hospitalizations up again
EDITOR'S NOTE: This story has been changed to correctly identify the CDC levels.
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Boone County hospitals took on two more COVID-19 patients Friday after a large jump was reported the day before.
The health department reported 43 people with COVID-19 in Boone County hospitals, up from 41 reported Thursday and 34 on Wednesday. The department reported hospitals are in "yellow" status, meaning some are limiting admissions and/or procedures.
The department also reported today that Boone County had moved into the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's high community level category for COVID-19.
Another 33 people in Boone County tested positive for coronavirus on Wednesday, the most recent number available. The rate of new cases in Boone County has stayed relatively steady over the past week after falling from its late-June peak.
The health department has recorded nearly 50,000 coronavirus cases since the pandemic started.
Cole County has seen a small increase in cases, with 10 people testing positive Thursday and 15 Wednesday, according to the county health department.
Boone County moves back into high COVID-19 level
Boone and two other Mid-Missouri counties are back in the high community level category for COVID-19, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The Boone County health department reported the move back into the high community level category from the medium category Friday. The CDC map is current as of Thursday.
The CDC has also placed Howard and Cooper counties into the high category. Several other Mid-Missouri counties -- Montgomery, Callaway, Audrain, Randolph, Chariton, Saline and Pettis -- are in the medium category. Other local counties are seeing low community levels.
The levels are determined by using COVID-19 case rates and hospitalization rates.
CDC's COVID community levels are updated& Boone County is in the red/high level.
— Columbia/Boone Co. Public Health & Human Services (@CoMo_HealthDept) August 5, 2022
CDC risk mitigation recommendations:
🔴Wear mask in public & on public transportation
🔴Stay up to date with COVID vaccines
🔴Get tested if symptomatic
🔴Consider additional precautions if high risk pic.twitter.com/P4d9smvyFB
The CDC has different guidelines for each category. Those in high-level counties are advised to wear masks in indoor public settings.
The Boone County health department reported 41 COVID-19 patients in Boone County hospitals Thursday, up from 34 on Wednesday.
