Katy Trail Community Health Center officials urge area residents to seek medical care if they are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19.

During the Pettis County COVID-19 Task Force meeting on Monday, January 4, officials said, “As our numbers are beginning to increase again, we ask that people monitor themselves; and if they become ill to seek medical care, particularly if they are having difficulty breathing, notice a dusky color around (their) lips or nail beds or are experiencing dizziness. COVID disease can progress quickly, and waiting too long to seek care can have serious consequences. For those at high risk of serious illness, monoclonal antibody therapy is available through Bothwell Regional Health Center. Please discuss your risk factors with your doctor to see if you are a candidate for this therapy. The therapy needs to be delivered before a person becomes seriously ill, and should be considered as soon as possible after diagnosis.”

As for the COVID-19 numbers, the health center reports that as of January 4, there were 4,264 total positive cases as compared to 4,077 cases on December 28 and 3,908 cases on December 21. This is an increase of 187 cases in the past week and 356 cases in the past two weeks. The positivity rate for December 15-21 was 18.24 percent; and the rate was 389.71 per 100,000 residents. The positivity rate for December 22-28 was 20.30 percent; and the rate was 410.97 per 100,000.

In other news, health center officials say most of Missouri’s allotment of the Moderna vaccine is being directed to longterm-care facilities. Immunizations in the community will be provided through Walgreens and started last week. The Health Center is an approved vaccination site, and it will be ordering vaccine as soon as the state moves to vaccinating those in the 1B category.

Health-department officials are “asking everyone to be patient as we set up schedules for immunizations in the order of the guidelines for those most at risk. The immunization plan will be by appointment as the process begins. We can not begin to set up appointments until we know how much and when we will receive vaccine.”

The website www.covidvaccine.mo.gov is a good source of information about the COVID vaccine in Missouri.