Butler County reports 127 new COVID cases

In this AP file photo, a technician prepares COVID-19 coronavirus patient samples for testing.

AP Photo/John Minchillo

The Butler County Public Health Department reported 127 new COVID-19 cases Wednesday, as completed vaccination rates for the six-county region lag far behind state rates.

Across the state, 49.4% of the population has initiated a vaccination, and 42.3% have completed a vaccination regimen, according to figures reported by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. Completed rates for Butler, Carter, Dunklin, Ripley, Stoddard and Wayne counties average less than 24%.

The total stands at 5,345 cases in Butler County, with 52 total deaths.

The previous week, there were 204 active cases in Butler County..

According to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, 16% of the region’s total inpatient beds were available, while 29% of the region’s intensive care unit beds were available. In Southeast Missouri, 77 patients were hospitalized Tuesday with the disease associated with Coronavirus — 33 of those in intensive care. Twenty-three of those were on ventilators, though nearly 70% of the region’s ventilators were still available.

Across the state, 1,631 COVID-19 patients were hospitalized Tuesday, and 19% of the state’s inpatient beds were available. That number dropped to 17% for intensive care unit beds, with 477 patients across the state in intensive care units because of the virus. More than 250 patients (265) were on a ventilator, leaving 63% of the state’s ventilators available.

The latest available data from the state showed rising numbers in several area counties (figures are as of Monday):

• Butler — The county had 85 new cases as of Monday, a 23.4% decrease compared to the seven days prior; 21.4% testing positivity rate, a 1.9-percentage-point increase compared to previous seven days.

• Carter — 5 new cases, a 64.3% decrease compared to the seven days prior; 30% positivity rate, 1.1% -percentage-point decrease compared to previous seven days.

• Dunklin — 54 new cases, a 63.6% increase compared to the previous seven days; 19.4% positivity rate, 6.1%-percentage-point increase compared to previous seven days.

• Ripley — 14 new cases, 50% decrease compared to previous seven days; 11.3% positivity rate, 7.6-percentage-point decrease compared to previous seven days.

• Stoddard — 78 new cases, 41.8% increase compared to previous seven days; 28.1% testing positivity rate, 10.4%-percentage-point increase compared to previous seven days.

• Wayne — 31 new cases; 106.7% increase compared to the previous seen days; 34% testing positivity rate, 16.7%-percentage-point increase compared to previous seven days.

Across the state, authorities reported 13,160 new virus cases in the past seven days, down 10% from the previous seven days. The testing positivity rate was 14.3%, down .7 percentage points from the previous week.

In Southeast Missouri counties vaccination rates are:

Butler — 28.6% initiated, 23.1% completed.

Carter — 29.5 initiated, 22.1% completed.

Dunklin — 28.2% initiated, 23.4% completed.

Ripley — 23.5% initiated, 19.2% completed.

Stoddard — 32.3% initiated, 26.9% completed.

Wayne — 31.4% initiated, 25.6% completed. Butler County Health Center Director Emily Goodin reminded everyone, registering through local health departments, the Missouri Vaccine Navigator or contacting the Missouri COVID-19 hot line at 877-435-8411 can help Missourians identify and sign up for available appointments in their area.

Scheduled rapid testing will be done every Wednesday by appointment only in Butler County. To schedule a test, go to https://www.butlercountyhealth.org/. Look for “Vaccine Registration & Coronavirus Info” and click the “Book Now” icon, or call 877-435-8411 to set up an appointment.