July 6, 2022
Kirksville, MO 7/6/22 – Cases reported to the Adair County Health Department this week climbed to 77, continuing an upward trend that began a month ago. The new cases were reported in the seven days from June 28 through July 4, 2022.
Hospitalizations remain low here, although one more COVID-related death has been reported. The overall known deaths among Adair County residents since the beginning of the pandemic is 54.
The continued increase in cases reflects the high transmissibility of the Omicron variants. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, (CDC) variants B.4 and B.5 currently account for 70% of all infections.
The CDC also reports the B.4 and B.5 variants are showing signs of causing more severe disease than the previous Omicron variants. COVID-19 vaccine developers are targeting these two variants in new vaccines which they are formulating and putting through clinical trials in anticipation of being released in the mid- to late fall.
The CDC continues to recommend that people get vaccinated and fully boosted now, because the current vaccines are still proving effective in protecting against severe disease, hospitalization, and death.
The CDC recommends that children ages 6 months to 4 years be vaccinated, and that everyone ages 5 and older be fully vaccinated and receive one booster dose. Moreover, it recommends that those ages 50 and older and some individuals ages 12 to 49 who are moderately or severely immunocompromised also receive a second booster.
The Adair County Health Department continues to administer Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines and boosters. Vaccines are administered to those ages 12 and older on Tuesdays from 2 to 4 p.m., and to those ages 5 through 11 on Thursdays from 3 to 5:30 p.m. The Health Department is now administering the Pfizer vaccine to children ages 6 months to 4 years old from 9 to 11 a.m. on Thursdays.
To schedule an appointment for the appropriate dose of vaccine or booster, or if you have questions regarding the timing of primary vaccines and booster doses, call the Adair County Health Department at 660-665-8491.
