John Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center
Last Updated at 1/13/2022, 9:21 PM
US Totals: COVID Infections: 64,061,015

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Americans at High Risk

"As COVID-19 surges, there are no hospital beds for others in need of care. Treatment shortages, packed hospitals: Why at-risk adults should be on COVID alert."

"As the coronavirus tears across America, it is a particularly bad time for high-risk people to catch COVID-19. And that means a lot of Americans are vulnerable. Nearly 40% of U.S. adults are considered at high risk for a serious infection because they're over 65, are carrying extra pounds or have certain medical conditions.

"'In the fall, anyone who was even a little overweight or over 50 years old would be immediately given monoclonal antibodies to prevent their infection from getting worse', said Dr. Dorry Segev, a transplant surgeon and epidemiologist at Johns Hopkins University. 'Now, you have to be incredibly high risk and it's only for treatment (not prevention), because we have so little supply.'" USA TODAY

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"Backlash to COVID-19 vaccines comes at a time when Missouri is seeing record hospitalizations of COVID patients amid stagnating vaccination rates." Missouri independent

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“US Supreme Court Blocks COVID Vaccine Mandate for Businesses.”

“US Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy called the Supreme Court's decision to block a nationwide vaccine and testing mandate for large businesses, ‘disappointing’.

"‘As a doctor and a public health professional today's news was disappointing. We know that the requirements for vaccines in workplaces are an important part of how we can keep workplaces safer, for both workers as well as for customers. The next few weeks are going to be challenging. We are going to continue to see high numbers of cases. Our hospital systems in parts of the country are strained and that will continue.’” CNN

“For some, the Supreme Court decision on vaccines mandates is a big win. Like Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt who challenged the mandate early on. He is also suing several different entities to have all mask mandates removed.”
KMBC News

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Schools

“KANSAS CITY, Kan. — Multiple school districts in the Kansas City area are canceling classes on Friday citing rising COVID-19 numbers, other illnesses and not having enough substitute teachers.
This comes even after Kansas school boards have greatly relaxed qualifications for substitute teachers to the following:
• Meet the minimum age requirement of 18.
• Have a high school diploma.” FOX News

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Missouri Lacks Mitigation as State Faces Record COVID Surge

“Missouri hits a new monthly record for COVID cases as state neglects to address deadly surge. School districts are closing due to COVID outbreaks and hospitals are being forced to delay procedures. Before this surge is finished, omicron will be responsible for many deaths. Missouri has reported more cases of COVID-19 in the first 12 days of January than any full month of the pandemic so far.

"‘This last week has been sadly predictable in this pandemic,” said Alex Garza, chief community health officer for SSM Health, during a briefing Tuesday for the St. Louis Metropolitan Pandemic Task Force. ‘We knew that the combination of fewer mitigation measures, together with a highly contagious variant, would cause this virus to really run wild. And unfortunately that is what is happening.'"

“Gov. Mike Parson has made no recent in-person statements about the situation. In his social media feeds, he has not addressed the record hospitalizations or case numbers.” NPR News

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Politics

“Rising COVID cases in Missouri General Assembly could affect important legislation.”

“JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – The rising number of COVID cases in the Missouri Capitol could prolong passing legislation that is on a deadline. Lawmakers are on a time limit to redraw the state’s congressional map and pass a supplemental budget. With no mitigation strategies required in the statehouse, both House and Senate leaders said members are dealing with the virus, which could put a pause on those key issues.” FOX News

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