COVID-19 highlights for the week of 11/29/21:
What’s Happening?
- Omicron Variant has been identified as a Variant of Concern by the CDC. No cases of this variant have yet been identified in the U.S. CDC is following the details of this new variant. See CDC’s Media Statement.
- Average daily new cases in the Metro have sharply increased from 359 to 424 over the past week.
- Average daily new cases in the HCC N-S have sharply increased from 53 to 70 over the past week.
- Most communities within our region remained at a high level of transmission as defined by the CDC (see below). Pettis County is at a substantial level of transmission.
- Vaccines are now available and underway for 5-11 year olds, providing the opportunity to help protect them and those around them from COVID-19.
What Can I Expect?
- Rising cases and hospitalizations are expected to continue to worsen due to the compounding effects of:
- The ongoing holiday season leading to more gatherings, crowds and travel
- Relaxed masking requirements in certain jurisdictions
- Low vaccination rates
- Given our experience from last year, this increase in cases could continue well into 2022.
- Irregular reporting due to the holidays may skew data or, at a minimum, make it particularly delayed in appearing on the MARC COVID-19 Data Hub and other sources.
- We will share more information regarding the Omicron Variant as it becomes available.
What Can I Do?
- Mask Up: CDC guidance recommends that everyone in communities with high or substantial levels of community transmission wear a mask in public indoor settings (CDC). You can check the transmission status of your community or those you intend to visit on the CDC Covid Data Tracker.
- Get tested: If you have travel plans for the holidays, make sure to include a COVID-19 test prior to travel as part of those plans and added caution upon return, including monitoring for symptoms and testing if symptoms arise.
- Get vaccinated: Check with your primary care physician or pediatrician’s office on where to find a vaccine near you. You may also visit vaccines.gov; text your ZIP code to 438829 (GETVAX); or call 1-800-232-0233; or visit Prepare Metro KC (preparemetrokc.org).
- An individual initiating vaccination on December 6th would be fully protected by:
- January 10th at the earliest (two weeks after second dose) for Pfizer
- January 17th at the earliest (two weeks after second dose) for Moderna
- December 20th at the earliest (two weeks after single dose) for J&J
- An individual initiating vaccination on December 6th would be fully protected by:
- Follow Guidance: Continue to follow your local public health guidance regarding isolation and quarantine.
- See CDC’s “Safer Ways to Celebrate Holidays” on other ways to mitigate risk and stay safe.