"July 4th, 2021

"The overall seven-day positivity rate for the state of Missouri climbed to 10.3%, according to the MDHSS. That number is the highest it has been since Jan. 18, 2021. While that number has climbed more than three percentage points already this month, the number is still down from a high of 23.1% in November.

"COVID-19 cases grow in hard-hit Missouri. The number of hospitalized COVID-19 patients jumped by nearly 27% over the Fourth of July weekend in a hard-hit area of Missouri where immunization rates are low, leading to a temporary ventilator shortfall and a call for help from respiratory therapists.

"Overall, the state said 44.6% of the population has received at least one dose. An estimated 41% of Kansas City residents have received at least one dose of the vaccine, while 'our' County is at only 30.1%. Missouri is currently a hotspot for COVID-19 cases. Cases are also increasing in Kansas City and St. Louis. Data from the state of Missouri shows its 7-day case average doubling over the past month.

"The delta variant of the virus is believed responsible for much of the spread in Missouri.

"During an update last Thursday morning, the University of Kansas Health System warned that hospitals in the Kansas City metro are already full because of illnesses other than COVID-19. They warn that a large surge following the holiday weekend will be dangerous. 'One of the things we should be afraid of is that hospitals are full and they’re full throughout our community,' Dr Stites (chief medical officer) said. 'That’s because all the normal stuff is back out there again. As masks have come off what we’re seeing is that people are getting sick.'

"Health experts warn the Delta variant is much more transmissible than other strains of coronaviruses. The say the best protection against COVID-19 and the Delta variant is to get vaccinated, something health departments in both Missouri and Kansas are struggling to convince people to do. 'There’s just not a lot of defense against not getting vaccinated except, I’m gonna say it, paranoia,” Dr Stites said. 'If you’re not vaccinated, you frickin’ need to have a mask on. If you don’t have a mask on you’re throwing the dice.'”

Approximately 70% of the people where we live are totally unvaccinated by choice.

**********************************
"Coronavirus cases are rising again in Branson and southwest Missouri, now a national hotspot.

"Hospitals in the area are seeing an increase in patients, many of them younger. With the July 4 holiday, public health officials fear a further increase in new cases, spurred by the prevalence of the delta variant and low vaccination numbers in the region. Cox Medical Center Branson appealed to the community asking them to get vaccinated. "Today, there are 100 patients in the hospital with COVID. Sadly, nearly all of those cases could have been avoided with a vaccine.”

"Masks nor social distancing have never been required at any time, during the COVID pandemic, by the state of Missouri. As the Delta Variant now takes hold - with Branson, Missouri being a top US National Hotspot - the Missouri governor is currently inviting visitors to come to Branson to enjoy all the tourist town has to offer. Sadly, coronavirus may be one of those things…

"Missouri Governor Mike Parson spent most of his July 4th weekend in the Ozarks with stops in Springfield, Branson and some time at his home in Bolivar. During an interview Parson talked about the state’s dubious distinction of having the highest rate of new COVID-19 cases in the country due to its low vaccination rate and the new variants.

"Parson answered, 'The reality is at the end of the day everybody’s got to take care of themselves and their healthcare.' This is not the state's responsibility.”

So that's where Missouri stands on this July 4th holiday weekend.