Atchison County COVID-19 cases increased by 11 from September 27 to October 3, 2021:
1 female – age 0-9
1 male – age 30-39
1 female, 1 male – ages 40-49
2 females, 1 male – ages 60-69
2 females, 2 males – ages 70-79
As of October 3, 2021, there have been 648 total cases in Atchison County with 17 deaths. Seven cases are currently active. There is one active COVID-19 hospitalization in our local hospital. Our current 7-day testing positivity rate is 8.42%.
BREAKTHROUGH CASES
We are gathering data to determine the number of known breakthrough cases for Atchison County since vaccines were first made available late last year. Vaccine breakthrough infection is defined as the detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA or antigen in a respiratory specimen collected from a person more than 14 days after they have completed all recommended doses of a COVID-19 vaccine. There have been 64 breakthrough cases as of October 3, 2021. Fully vaccinated persons as of October 3, 2021, total 2,428.
To date, 2.6% of fully vaccinated persons in Atchison County have tested positive for COVID-19 and are considered to be breakthrough cases. This means that the data shows that COVID-19 vaccines administered in Atchison County thus far have been very effective.
COVID-19 TESTING
Atchison County Health Department continues to have COVID-19 antigen testing by appointment Monday through Thursday. Hours available for testing are: Monday-Thursday, 7:30-8:30 a.m. and 3-4 p.m. Please call 660-736-4121 to make an appointment. Testing is done car-side. Those who live or work or go to school in Atchison County, will take precedence.
Community Hospital-Fairfax offers COVID testing Monday-Friday from 10-11 a.m. Please call 660-686-2211 to register.
Missouri Department of Health has free, at-home test kits that can be ordered online. Visit https://health.mo.gov/living/healthcondiseases/communicable/novel-coronavirus/community-test.php#self-collection to find out more information about those kits and how to order.
COVID VACCINE UPDATES
Pfizer Booster Doses
Please call 660-736-4121 for an appointment. COVID-19 Vaccine booster shots are available for the following Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine recipients who completed their initial series at least 6 months ago:
• 65 years and older
• 18+ who have underlying medical conditions
• 18+ who work and/or live in high-risk settings
Underlying medical conditions:
• Cancer
• Chronic kidney disease
• Chronic lung diseases, including COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), asthma (moderate-to-severe), interstitial lung disease, cystic fibrosis, and pulmonary hypertension
• Dementia or other neurological conditions
• Diabetes (type 1 or type 2)
• Down syndrome
• Heart conditions (such as heart failure, coronary artery disease, cardiomyopathies or hypertension)
• HIV infection
• Immunocompromised state (weakened immune system)
• Liver disease
• Overweight and obesity
• Pregnancy
• Sickle cell disease or thalassemia
• Smoking, current or former
• Solid organ or blood stem cell transplant
• Stroke or cerebrovascular disease, which affects blood flow to the brain
• Substance use disorders
• Occupations at increased risk for COVID-19 exposure and transmission include front line essential workers and health care workers as previously detailed by the CDC*
• First responders (healthcare workers, firefighters, police, congregate care staff)
• Education staff (teachers, support staff, daycare workers)
• Food and agriculture workers
• Manufacturing workers
• Corrections workers
• U.S. Postal Service workers
• Public transit workers
• Grocery store workers
*List could be updated in the future
Third Doses For Immunocompromised
Since booster doses are already approved for Pfizer, the information below applies to the Moderna vaccine. Please call Atchison County Health Department for an appointment, 660-736-4121.
According to the CDC, moderately to severely immunocompromised people should receive a 3rd dose of the Moderna vaccine at least 4 weeks after their 2nd dose. This includes people who have:
• Been receiving active treatment for cancer
• Received an organ transplant
• Received a stem cell transplant within the last 2 years
• Moderate or severe primary immunodeficiency
• Advanced or untreated HIV infection
• Active treatment drugs that may suppress your immune response
Additional information regarding this guidance can be found on the CDC website at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/recommendations/immuno.html
5th and 8th in the
State of Missouri
We have continued to rank in the top 10 since the state started tracking. For total population, Atchison County is ranked fifth in the state with 47.2% of residents completing vaccinations and ranked eighth in the sState with 50.4% of residents receiving at least one COVID vaccine dose. In total, 4,649 doses have been given in Atchison County. For details see: https://covidvaccine.mo.gov/data/.
COVID-19 Vaccine
Atchison County Health Department has all three vaccines available – Johnson & Johnson, Moderna and Pfizer. COVID-19 vaccines are FREE. Appointments are encouraged. Pfizer is the vaccine available for those ages 12 years of age and older. Anyone age 12-17 will need an adult present during the vaccination. To find a COVID-19 vaccine near you, go to www.vaccines.gov and type in your zip code. You can also narrow the search down by type of vaccine and search radius.
If any businesses have employees interested in the COVID vaccine, Atchison County Health Department will come to you. Please call 660-736-4121.
If you know of any home-bound individuals needing a COVID-19 vaccination, please reach out at 660-736-4121.
MO VIP: Missouri Vaccine Incentive Program
MO VIP is our state’s vaccine incentive program – rewarding those who have already chosen or will choose to receive a COVID-19 vaccination. The Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services will partner with the Missouri Lottery to draw 180 winners in 5 randomized drawings who will win either $10,000 cash or $10,000 towards an education savings account. In total, the state will award 900 individuals throughout the incentive program. Registration opened July 21, 2021. For more info: https://covidvaccine.mo.gov/win/.
For a direct link to the registration form: https://movaccineincentive.azurewebsites.net/.
For those without internet access, please call the COVID hotline at 877-435-8411 to provide your information and verbal consent over the phone.
