County’s COVID-19 case total at four

As of Monday, March 29, Perry County reported four active cases of COVID-19, according to Liz assistant director of the Health Department
The county’s seven day rolling average is 0.5 cases. This total has been around one or less for the past four to five weeks.
There were 153 cases in January, a reported 58 in February and 27 in the first 29 days of March.
The county has assisted with vaccinations since mid-January.
“We started vaccinating long term care facilities not covered under the federal vaccination program on Jan. 13 and held an in house clinic for Phase 1A individuals on Monday, Jan. 18,” said assistant health department director Liz House.
So far, the health has administered 5,083 doses of COVID-19 vaccine.
An estimated 20 percent of the county’s 19,136 persons have initiated vaccination, according to the State’s COVID vaccine dashboard this morning (Monday, March 29). This means that 3,830 first doses have been administered. In total, 6,360 doses have been given.

While many counties have used a secure link online for individuals to register for COVID-19 vaccine appointments, Perry County has relied on people phoning in to schedule shot times.
“We primarily provide a call-in option for vaccine appointments as internet is limited in areas of our county,” Forester said. “We have also had individuals stop by our office to register in-person.”
Statewide, a total of 256,812 doses have been administered in the past seven days (from March 22 to 28), which is an average of 36,687 per day. A total of 25.2 percent have in Missouri initiated vaccination while 15.2 percent are reported as having completed the vaccination process.
There have been 67.7 percent of those 75-84 initiating vaccine in Missouri. The 65-74 year-od category is at 63.7 percent while 62.2 percent of those 85 and older have initiated vaccine.

Vaccine clinic April 9
The Perry County Health Department will be hosting a COVID-19 vaccine clinic Thursday, April 8 at Trinity Lutheran School gymnasium in Altenburg.
In addition, the health department will begin offering on-site vaccinations to businesses with 10 or more staff interested in receiving the Moderna vaccine. If a business is interested, they can contact House at the health department (573-547-6564, ext. 216).
The state of Missouri entered phase two of its vaccination schedule March 29. The state is planning to open shots up to those in phase three Friday, April 9.