COVID-19 cases approach 700

The Atchison County Health Department reported 14 cases of COVID-19 from October 11 – 17, 2021. They include:

1 female, 1 male, ages 0-9

2 females, 1 male, ages 20-29

2 females, 1 male, ages 30-39

2 females, 1 male, ages 40-49

1 female, 1 male, ages 50-59

1 male, age 80+

As of October 17, 2021, there have been 682 total cases and 17 deaths. There are currently 13 active cases, with one active COVID-19 hospitalization in our local hospital.

Atchison County’s current 7-day testing positivity rate is 8.23%.

BREAKTHROUGH CASES

The health department continues to gather 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.

The total number of breakthrough cases as of October 17 is 74.

There are 2,470 fully vaccinated persons as of October 17.

To date, 2.99% of fully vaccinated persons in Atchison County have tested positive for COVID-19 and are considered to be breakthrough cases.

COVID-19 TESTING

The Atchison County Health Department continues to have COVID-19 antigen testing by appointment Monday through Thursday, 7:30 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. 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, 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. 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 for more information.

COVID VACCINE UPDATES

Pfizer Booster Doses

Ccall 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 six 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 include the following:

• 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

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• 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

Third Doses For Immunocompromised

Since booster doses are already approved for Pfizer, the information below applies to the Moderna vaccine. Call Atchison County Health Department at 660-736-4121 for an appointment.

According to the CDC, moderately to severely immunocompromised people should receive a third dose of the Moderna vaccine at least four weeks after their second 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

For total population, Atchison County is ranked fifth in the state with 48% of residents completing vaccinations and ranked eighth in the state with 50.9% of residents receiving at least one COVID vaccine dose. In total, 4,787 doses have been given in Atchison County.

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.

If any businesses have employees interested in the COVID vaccine, Atchison County Health Department will come to you. Call 660-736-4121.

If you know of any home-bound individuals needing a COVID-19 vaccination, call 660-736-4121.

Flu season

Getting an annual flu vaccine is the first and best way to protect yourself and your family from the flu. Everyone six months of age and older should get a flu vaccine every season. Atchison County Health Department has flu vaccine available for children and adults. Appointments are encouraged.

COVID-19 IN ATCHISON COUNTY

10-18-21

FATALITIES 17

ACTIVE CASES 13

CASES REMOVED

FROM ISOLATION 652

TOTAL CASES 682

MALE 318

FEMALE 364

UNDER 20 YEARS 97

21-29 YEARS 68

30-39 YEARS 84