Osage County Health Department (OCHD) Administrator Kim Sallin on Tuesday reported there are currently 23 active cases, bringing the county’s total to 1,771, with 16 deaths.
Four individuals are currently hospitalized, one of whom is in their mid-30’s and vented in the ICU.
“Only one of our 23 new cases were vaccinated,” said Sallin. “Another variant has been reported in Peru, currently with worse effects than the Delta variant, which continues to adversely affect middle-aged, unvaccinated adults. I believe it’s important that we continue to reach out to everyone to impress upon them the importance of getting the vaccine.”
Having said that, Sallin noted it’s becoming difficult to find vaccines again. “We had an overabundance for a long time and now it’s difficult to get Pfizer, I think because it’s being offered to kids 12 and older,” she explained. “I’m getting my vaccines from different places but I have to wait for them to get shipments in before I can order them. It takes a lot of coordination with a lot of facilities. We have great communication with the providers in our region so everything should work out.”
The OCHD continues to offer the Janssen Pharmaceutical vaccine, a single-shot protocol but the department is educating everyone about the risks involved and potential side effects.
That includes inmates, which are being offered the single-shot vaccine because it’s easier than having to arrange for a second dose as is required for Moderna and Pfizer. However, Sallin said she believes a booster shot six months after the initial dose may be required.
“It makes more sense to get the double dose a few weeks apart instead of doing it six months later,” said Sallin, noting that to this point, no prisoners at the jail have accepted a vaccine offer. “Most of those who come to clinics that talk about getting the Janssen shot choose one of the others after we explain everything to them.”
Without a vaccine of some kind, however, Sallin said there is a 64% increase in the risk of transmitting the Delta variant among household members, which is significantly higher than the UK strain. Sallin added that this strain is 40% more transmissible outdoors.
To ensure the vaccination is made available, the OCHD will continue to hold walk-in clinics at the Annex Building every Friday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., and community clinics are still being scheduled.
A clinic will be held at Fatima from 2-6 p.m. on July 15 for back-to-school immunizations and COVID vaccine, which anyone can attend, and staff will be at Quaker for employees on July 16. Sallin said her department will also be at open houses at other schools for back-to-school and COVID vaccinations.
The OCHD was at the Osage County Fair and placing the booth under the pavilion this year resulted in higher foot traffic.
Last Friday, 40 doses were administered. “We’re not turning anyone away who comes in on other days for the vaccine,” said Sallin, noting that on Monday of this week, eight walk-ins were provided the vaccine at the OCHD office.
A community pool party will be held at the Linn City Pool from 6-8 p.m. on July 28 and everyone is welcome.
Sallin said she is immensely grateful for the extension of OCHD temporary employees as they have allowed contact with each new case (so long as they return the call). “We are keeping routine contact with most of these folks as they are very sick,” she added.