Vernon County's COVID-19 cases continue to climb

The Vernon County Health Department recently released an update to county COVID-19 numbers.

The county's total number of COVID-19 cases is now at 2,288. There have been 74 new cases and of these, 49 are still active — having increased from last week's active cases number of 33.

There has been a total of 52 deaths from COVID-19 in the county — an increase over the past week by one.

According to the health department, as of July 20, there have been 5,302 COVID-19 vaccinations administered. This represents 25.8 percent of the total Vernon County population. This number also reflects residents who have received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine. Vaccinated residents increased by only .5 percent over the past week.

In a statement issued via their social media account, the Vernon County Health Department noted the following:

"COVID cases continue to rise. Hospitals are quickly becoming overwhelmed and running out of available beds. Getting vaccinated is still the best way to decrease the spread of COVID-19. It is still important to remember to practice social distancing when in public and if unvaccinated wear a mask. While vaccinated people do not have to quarantine after exposure it is still important to monitor for symptoms. Anyone who develops symptoms, which include fever, chills, cough, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, loss/change to taste/smell, diarrhea, congestion, headache, fatigue, and muscle aches should get tested and isolate at home until results are received."

The Vernon County Health Department recognizes that there are at-home COVID tests available. While these offer a convenient testing option, at this time Vernon County Health Department will not accept results from home tests. If you require documentation for your employer you will need confirmation testing from a lab or primary care provider.

Missouri has one of the lowest vaccination rates in the country and one of the worst outbreaks of the Delta variant. The situation is so bad in Missouri that a surge team was deployed to help stop the spread — including members from the CDC and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.