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“Missouri and Arkansas are currently facing the worst Covid-19 outbreaks in the United States, becoming the country’s new virus epicenter. In several counties in these two states, coronavirus caseloads and hospitalisations have reached levels not seen since their peaks last winter. Officials say the infections are being driven by the Delta variant.”

“Missouri’s 7-day COVID case average has more than doubled since the start of July.”
“Missouri’s positivity rate jumped from 13.1% to 13.8% overnight from Sunday into Monday. The positivity rate was 4.5% on June 1.”

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“KANSAS CITY, Kan. — The Kansas City metro may be nearing a critical tipping point, according to some health experts. As the number of COVID-19 cases climb across Missouri, hospitals in the metro report steady increases of both new cases and COVID-19 hospitalizations. Doctors and nurses at the University of Kansas Health System said it’s a trend they’ve seen coming.”

‘Increases all around over the weekend, from what we saw last week,’ Lance Williamson, RN infection and prevention and control manager, said during a COVID-19 update Monday. ”

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Delta variant continues spread across metro with Kansas City up nearly 70% total cases. ‘We’ve seen a steady increase,’ Lance Williamson, an RN for the University of Kansas Health System said. COVID-19 case numbers have soared since bottoming out in late spring. As of Monday, 54 people were staying at a KU health system’s hospital receiving treatment for COVID-19, 13 of those patients were in the ICU. ‘You know, I think that if we see that things get more unsafe for even fully vaccinated people depending on what we find from delta variant. Next week may be even less safe than next week,’ Williamson said.

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“This is a mask-up Monday. It’s also mask-up Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. That’s the word from top public health agencies in the area. If you haven’t heard, 10 Kansas City area health departments have just issued a joint public advisory recommending that unvaccinated residents wear face coverings. The move comes amid growing concerns about the spread of the Delta variant in Kansas City and an increase in COVID hospitalizations. Notably, this is only a recommendation. It is not a mandate.”

When out & about in the metro on Monday, few masks (indoors or out) were in sight.
Since most seem to be mask resistant, what is the point in making a "recommendation" that no one will follow???

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“TOKYO — Kansas City Metro, 18-year-old Kara Eaker was the first American athlete to test positive for COVID-19 in Tokyo for the 2020 Olympics. Eaker finished 7th overall in the U.S. Gymnastics Trials in June. Fully vaccinated, she was joined by GAGE teammate Leanne Wong as alternates for the team. Blue Valley High School graduate (Kansas City Metro) Leanne Wong has been facing criticism for refusing the vaccine. She was also an alternate on the women’s gymnastics team. Both her parents said there are already strict protocols in place to protect their daughter and other athletes. Now, Leanne Wong is also in COVID quarantine in Tokyo with Kara Eaker and will not be able to compete in the Olympics.”

“TOKYO — U.S. tennis star Coco Gauff will no longer lead the U.S. tennis team at the Tokyo Olympics. She has announced that she tested positive for the coronavirus, dashing her hopes of competing in the Games.”

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The above photo is a Cell Phone snap from local KC TV news. The original photo of Ms Eaker is from the AP.