With just 10 active COVID cases in Osage County as of Tuesday, Osage County Health Department (OCHD) Administrator Kim Sallin is pleased.
“We’re moving in the right direction,” she said. “This is the lowest active count we’ve had in a long time.”
All told, the county has seen 1,598 positive cases, with 12 deaths attributed to the coronavirus.
Monday’s vaccine clinic was postponed due to inclement weather and a shortage of staff but Sallin has a plan to catch up.
Next Monday’s scheduled clinic will serve both those who were put off this week and those who are to be vaccinated next week. However, that is dependent on Sallin receiving additional vaccine doses.
“I have 150 doses right now so I know that many will receive the vaccination next week,” she said. “With all the bad weather, delivery of additional Moderna doses should happen later this week but I won’t know for sure until they get here.”
She plans to administer about 400 doses at the next clinic.
As of Tuesday, the plan was to contact those who were bumped this week, up to the first 150, with others to be scheduled once she has the vaccine in hand.
Sallin will have four nurses, two clerical staff members, and a few volunteers at next week’s clinic but she is seeking additional volunteers to help with registration and directing people at the Osage County Community Center. Anyone interested is encouraged to contact the OCHD office at 573-897-3103.
A new phone system will be installed this week at OCHD to handle the ever-increasing number of calls. Sallin explained that when you call, there will be a prompt for those requesting a vaccine. This option will lead callers to a voicemail. The other option will lead to an OCHD employee for other business.
Sallin urges everyone to be cautious, wear a mask, social-distance, and wash hands frequently to help contain the spread.
For additional information and updates, visit OCHD on Facebook.