12/30/2021 COVID-19 Weekly Update
Lincoln County, Missouri is adding about 77 COVID-19 cases per day. Last week that number was about 56 cases per day. In the beginning of November, that number was about 23 cases per day.
The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) recently reported that the Omicron variant was detected in the wastewater in Troy. Because of this, we anticipate the increase of cases to continue.
The CDC estimates that the Omicron variant currently makes up about 59% of cases in the United States. The previous week’s estimate was also lowered to 22% from 73%. You can visit the CDC website for updates on Omicron: Omicron Variant: What You Need to Know | CDC
The CDC also recently updated its guidance for isolation and quarantine.
Isolation refers to staying away from others when you have COVID-19.
Quarantine refers to staying away from others after being exposed to COVID-19.
According to the new guidance, isolation time was reduced from 10 days to 5 days (if symptoms are resolved or resolving). This includes an additional 5 days of strict mask wearing around others to reduce any chances of transmission. If you still have a fever or are not feeling well on day 5, you should remain in isolation. To summarize, you should still take precautions for 10 days; 5 days should be spent completely away from others and another 5 days wearing a mask if you must be around others (if you have no symptoms or symptoms are improving).
If you have completed your primary series and received your booster dose, you do not need to quarantine after being exposed to someone with COVID-19. You do need to wear a mask around others for 10 days and test on day 5, if possible. This includes people who have gotten their primary series of mRNA vaccine in the past 6 months or J&J in the past 2 months and are not yet eligible for a booster dose.
If you are more than 6 months out from your primary mRNA series have not received a booster dose, 2 months out from your J&J shot and have not received a booster dose, or are unvaccinated, you should quarantine for 5 days after being exposed to someone with COVID-19. This includes strict mask wearing around others for another 5 days. Best practice also suggests testing on day 5, if possible.
For more details about the new guidance, click here.
As a reminder, if you test positive for COVID-19 you should notify your close contacts as soon as possible. This helps to stop the chain of transmission in the community. Close contact refers to anyone who you were within 6 feet of for more than 15 minutes over a 24-hour period (2 days before symptoms started until your positive test).
The St. Louis Metropolitan Pandemic Task Force is showing a high number of pediatric hospitalizations due to COVID-19 in the region. As of yesterday (12/29/21) there were 28 pediatric hospitalizations. At this time last week, there were 16. They are also reporting a very high number of adult daily admissions and hospitalizations. Because of this, the pandemic task force reported that visitors to hospitals may be restricted in the near future.
The 7-day PCR positivity rate for Lincoln County is 16.8%. At this time last week, it was 12.0%.
Free COVID-19 PCR testing will continue on Wednesdays through January. Due to the large traffic volume of the most recent event, we are working with various agencies to determine if a new site is needed. The hope is to find a space that can handle the traffic without disrupting the surrounding community.
Cases per 100,000 in Lincoln County are at 451, up from 395 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 435. Last week this number was at 311.
The age group with the largest increase was in 0-9 at 4%; all others were over 2%. Old Monroe, Truxton, Warrenton, Silex, and Moscow Mills were the zip codes with the largest increases this week.
The rate of Lincoln County residents who have completed their COVID-19 vaccination series is 39.7%. You can make an appointment here.