12/22/2021 Weekly Update

Lincoln County, Missouri is adding about 56 COVID-19 cases per day. Last week that number was about 65 cases per day.

The recently identified Omicron variant currently makes up about 73% of cases in the United States. That number was 2.9% at the last estimate. CDC states the Omicron is spreading rapidly. You can visit the CDC website for updates on Omicron: Omicron Variant: What You Need to Know | CDC

The best way to protect yourself and your community this holiday season is to get vaccinated to avoid severe disease from COVID-19 and flu.

The 7-day PCR positivity rate is 12.0%. At this time last week, it was 15.7%. We are seeing the positivity rate come down slightly, but it is still very high. At the beginning of November our positivity rate was about 8.8%.

Free COVID-19 PCR testing is continuing on Wednesdays through December at Winfield County Market in the parking lot. Hours are from 10am until 6pm.

Cases per 100,000 in Lincoln County are at 395, down from 417 last week. In order to move to the next lowest transmission category, this number need to be less than 100.  In order to be in the lowest category, that number needs to be under 10.

Our number of active cases (individuals who are in isolation for COVID-19 infection) is at 311. Last week this number was at 387.

8 of our 18 zip codes saw an increase of more than 2% from last week. 6 of 18 saw more than 3% increase. The zip codes with the highest week over week increase were:

63334 11.12% Bowling Green

63348 10.0% Foristell

63390 6.17% Wright City

63377 4.32% Silex  

63343 4.22% Elsberry

63383- 3.85% Warrenton

The 0-9 age group saw the largest increase in cases from week to week. Cases in this age group increased by 2.28%. This is lower than last week’s increase. The next highest age group was 10-19, which increased by 2.12%. All age groups saw increases of less than 3%.

The St. Louis Metropolitan Pandemic Task Force is also showing a relatively high number of pediatric hospitalizations. As of today (12/22/21) there were 16 pediatric hospitalizations, 6 of which were in the ICU.

The rate of Lincoln County residents who have completed their COVID-19 vaccination series is 39.5%. You can make an appointment here. 

The CDC recently updated its guidance for boosters, now recommending that anyone age 16 and older should receive a booster 6 months after their primary series. You can make an appointment here.