The Atchison County Health Department has reported two new cases of COVID-19 in Atchison County from July 12 – 19, 2021. Those cases were:

1 female, age 30-39

1 female, age 60-69

As of July 19, 2021, there have been 469 total cases. There are two active cases, and 13 deaths have been reported.

There are no active COVID-19 hospitalization in our local hospital.

The current seven-day testing positivity rate for Atchison County is 4.17%.

COVID-19 TESTING

Atchison County Health Department continues to have BinaxNOW test kits and are available for testing by appointment Monday through Thursday. These tests are free. The rapid antigen test provides results within 15 minutes after collecting the sample. This is a great option in identifying positives before going to school or work, so that multiple people do not have to be quarantined due to exposure. Health department personnel are available and in the office by 7:30 am each morning. Call 660-736-4121 if you are in need of testing.

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

Together, our community has made great progress in protecting ourselves and our loved ones from COVID-19.

Atchison County is ranked sixth in the state with 38.9% of residents completing vaccinations and ranked ninth in the state with 42.1% of residents receiving at least one COVID vaccine dose. In total, 3,804 doses have been given in Atchison County. For details see: https://covidvaccine.mo.gov/data/.

We still have more work to do to get to herd immunity where we can experience the benefits of reduced community spread.

COVID-19 Vaccine

Atchison County Health Department has Moderna, Johnson & Johnson, and Pfizer vaccines available. COVID-19 vaccines are free. Walk-ins are welcome. Pfizer is the vaccine available for those ages 12 to 17 and an adult will need to be present during the vaccination. Any student wishing to be fully vaccinated by the time school starts will need to have the first dose of Pfizer started as soon as possible.

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 you know of any home-bound individuals needing a COVID-19 vaccination, contact the Atchison County Health Department at 660-736-4121.

VARIANTS

There are rapidly increasing COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations across many of the metro areas in the state related to the emergence of the delta variant. In addition, the delta variant has been found in Atchison County.

At this time, unvaccinated residents of all ages who have resumed normal activities without adequate protection are most at risk, particularly immune-compromised individuals.

The COVID-19 vaccines have been proven to significantly reduce the risk of serious illness, hospitalization and death.

The region’s public health departments strongly recommend that residents take the following precautions to protect themselves and others in their community get fully vaccinated against COVID-19:

• Anyone 12 and older should seek vaccination immediately.

• Help protect children younger than 12 by ensuring the adults around them are vaccinated.

• Individuals who have initiated two-dose vaccination should get their second dose to ensure maximum protection against all COVID-19 strains, including delta.

• Talk with your friends and family about the importance of getting vaccinated.

• If you have specific concerns about whether you should get the vaccine, consult your physician.

Unvaccinated individuals should wear a mask while visiting indoor public places, in crowded outdoor settings, and for activities with close contact with others who are not fully vaccinated.

• Be aware that people with underlying medical conditions may not be able to receive full protection from the vaccine and that children younger than 12 are not yet eligible for vaccination. These populations are vulnerable to being exposed to COVID-19.

Both vaccinated and unvaccinated residents should exercise caution.

• Currently, only 40% of Missourians are fully vaccinated. Assume that one in two people in any crowd or gathering may be unvaccinated. If you do not know the vaccination status of those around you, resume social distancing of at least six feet.

• If unvaccinated, being in crowds like restaurants, bars, fitness centers, or movie theaters puts you at a higher risk for COVID-19. Avoid indoor spaces that do not offer fresh air from the outdoors as much as possible.

• Additionally, continue practicing good hand hygiene by washing your hands frequently for at least 20 seconds.

Stay home if you’re sick.

• Seek testing if you develop or have any symptoms of COVID-19, including mild symptoms similar to a cold or allergies.

Individuals with underlying medical conditions should get fully vaccinated as soon as possible and wear masks when around persons of unknown vaccination status.

• The following conditions are associated with increased risk of death from COVID-19: age above 65, organ transplant recipient, cancer, diabetes, obesity, chronic heart/lung/kidney/neurologic conditions, rheumatologic conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, psoriasis, use of immunosuppressive medications, AIDS, and other immunosuppressive conditions or neurological diseases.

• Having more than one of these conditions may significantly increase the risk of hospitalization or death. For more information, please visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/clinical-care/underlyingconditions.html