Fifty-four new cases of COVID-19 in Atchison County

The Atchison County Health Department was notified of 54 new cases of COVID-19 reported in Atchison County during the week of January 31 through February 6, 2022. They include:

2 males – ages 0-9

3 females, 5 males – ages 10-19

4 females, 5 males – ages 20-29

4 females, 1 male – ages 30-39

5 females, 3 males – ages 40-49

2 females, 3 males – ages 50-59

8 females, 1 male – ages 60-69

1 female, 2 males – ages 70-79

2 females, 3 males – ages 80+

Of the 54 cases, eight were reported as home tests. COVID-19 testing sites are required by law to report test results within 24 hours to state and local public health officials, but people who take at-home tests are not – and many of those test results don’t get reported. Atchison County Health Department appreciates those who called to report positive home tests. Whether or not you do contact your health department with the news from your test, the most important thing you can do with your test result is to follow CDC guidance.

As of February 6, 2022, there have been 1,368 total cases of COVID-19 reported in Atchison County, as well as 21 deaths. There are currently 51 active cases. There are no active COVID-19 hospitalizations in our local hospital. The current seven-day testing positivity rate (PCR and antigen) is 26.5%.

BREAKTHROUGH CASES

Vaccine breakthrough infection is a COVID-19 case that occurs in someone who is fully vaccinated. Atchison County breakthrough cases as of February 6, 2022, total 331. Fully vaccinated persons as of February 4, 2022, total 2,800.

To date, 11.8% of fully vac-cinated 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 effective.

THE SEWERSHED SURVEILLANCE PROJECT

Collections at the Tarkio Wastewater Treatment Facility the week of January 24, 2021, show presumed Omicron (100%) variants.

COVID VACCINE UPDATES

On January 31, 2022, the FDA announced the second approval of a COVID-19 vaccine. The vaccine has been known as the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine, and will now be marketed as Spikevax, for the prevention of COVID-19 in individuals 18 years of age and older. Spikevax has the same formulation as the EUA Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine and is administered as a primary series of two doses, one month apart. Spikevax can be used interchangeably with the EUA Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine to provide the COVID-19 vaccination series.

Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine is available under EUA as a two-dose primary series for individuals 18 years of age and older, as a third primary series dose for individuals 18 years of age and older who have been determined to be immunocompromised, and as a single booster dose for individuals 18 years of age and older at least five months after completing a primary series of the vaccine.

The Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine is also authorized for use as a heterologous (or “mix and match”) single booster dose for individuals 18 years of age and older following completion of primary vaccination with a different available COVID-19 vaccine. For example, Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine and Janssen COVID-19 vaccine recipients 18 years of age and older may receive a single booster dose of the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine.

Children ages 5 years and older can get Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines. Booster shots are available to everyone ages 12 years and older at least 5 months after completing the Moderna or Pfizer series and 2 months after receiving J&J/Janssen.

Moderately or severely immunocompromised people ages 5 years and older who completed their Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine primary series and ages 18 years or older who completed their Moderna COVID-19 vaccine primary series should plan to get an additional primary dose at least 28 days after their second dose.

Eligible individuals may choose which vaccine they receive as a booster dose. Individuals do not need to get their booster shot at the same location they received their initial series. Visit MOStopsCovid.com to find a nearby provider and schedule an appointment or locate a walk-in clinic. Locations for COVID vaccine in Atchison County:

• Atchison County Health Center, Tarkio, MO – Appointments available on Tuesdays & Thursdays. Call 660-736-4121 for an appointment.

• Rogers Pharmacy, Tarkio – Call 660-736-5512 for an appointment.

• Stoner Drug, Rock Port, MO – Call 660-744-2433 for an appointment.

COVID-19 Vaccination Rates: 8th and 9th 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 eighth in the state with 54.5% of residents completing vaccinations and ranked ninth in the state with 57.2% of residents receiving at least one COVID vaccine dose. In total, 6,289 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 and appointments are available on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Pfizer is the vaccine available for those ages 5 years of age and older. Anyone age 5-17 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, call 660-736-4121.

COVID-19 TESTING

As you are likely well aware, there is a nationwide shortage of rapid COVID-19 antigen tests and an increased demand for tests as case counts continue to climb. Atchison County Health Department has very few antigen tests from the state. We do have PCR tests and can receive results within 24 hours. Call for an appointment.

Missouri provides several options for obtaining a free COVID-19 test without any symptom criteria. The oppor-tunities for testing include:

• Free testing sites (sponsored by Missouri DHSS)

• Free PCR at-home test kits shipped to home (sponsored by Missouri DHSS)

• Free rapid antigen at-home test kits shipped to home (4 per residential address, sponsored by US DHHS & USPS)

• Free testing provided by pharmacies (sponsored by US DHHS)

FLU SHOTS STILL AVAILABLE

Getting an annual flu vaccine is the first and best way to protect yourself and your family from the flu. Everyone 6 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 available on Monday through Thursday. Businesses interested in hosting a flu clinic can call 660-736-4121.

COVID-19 IN ATCHISON COUNTY

2-6-22

FATALITIES 21

ACTIVE CASES 51

CASES REMOVED

FROM ISOLATION 1,296

TOTAL CASES 1,368

MALE 641

FEMALE 727

UNDER 20 YEARS 268

21-29 YEARS 154

30-39 YEARS 212