Osage County ranked ninth in the state for active COVID cases

By Neal A. Johnson
Posted 4/21/21

Osage County Health Department (OCHD) Administrator Kim Sallin said this week that while the county’s nine active cases seem low, the county has been listed ninth in the state in terms of cases per …

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Osage County ranked ninth in the state for active COVID cases

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Osage County Health Department (OCHD) Administrator Kim Sallin said this week that while the county’s nine active cases seem low, the county has been listed ninth in the state in terms of cases per 100,000 people, according to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS). She reminded everyone to remain vigilant with masking and social distancing while continuing to encourage vaccination.
“It’s not great to be on this list,” she said.
Osage County’s overall number of cases rose by seven since last week to 1,685 and there have been 14 deaths.
Sallin continues to offer Pfizer and Moderna vaccines with walk-in clinics, including one held Monday at the Westphalia Lions Den, with 24 getting a prime dose and five receiving Moderna booster doses.
Another walk-in clinic will be held this Friday, April 23rd, from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Commissioners’ Room of the Osage County Administration Building (Annex) building. Sallin said she is hoping high-school students will participate (ages 16-18 for the Pfizer shot) but said anyone under the age of 18 will need parental permission. A photo ID is required and insurance cards are recommended if available.
An additional clinic will be held on April 30 from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
For individuals who qualify as homebound, there is an option. The Osage Ambulance District (OAD) is partnering with the OCHD to offer in-home vaccines to those not able to get into the clinics offered. Those interested need to call the Osage County Health Department at 573-897-3103 for scheduling. OAD will be contacted to provide the shots in the home.
“I am happy with this partnership,” said Sallin. “Not everyone can get out, so being able to send the vaccine to them is a great option.”
Several doses were administered to homebound individuals on Monday, and Sallin said the new guidelines for Moderna has twice the shelf-life as before, meaning that once a vial is opened, it can be used for up to 12 hours instead of six.
“That helps tremendously,” she said. “We’re able to start in the morning and wrap up with clinics in the evening like we did Monday. We can minimize our waste as well.”
As of this week, 18.5% of county residents are fully vaccinated and Sallin hopes to continue increasing that number.
“We have exhausted the list of people who have called to request the vaccine,” she said. “Now, we’re looking at outreach to offer the vaccine. We are open to holding clinics anywhere in the county.”