JEFFERSON CITY (KMOX) - The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services reported 1,180 new coronavirus infections Wednesday, the first time the daily total exceeded 1,000 since February 11. It's also the first time the number was above 1,100 since February 5.
They note not all the cases may have been confirmed in the previous 24 hours. The 7-day rolling average of new cases in Missouri is 753, up from 706 just the day before. A month ago, there was an average of 264 new infections reported each day.
The sharp increase in coronavirus positives, along with escalating hospitalizations, is due to two factors: the highly contagious Delta variant taking hold in the state, and the low vaccination rate in young people and rural areas. Hospitals in Springfield report the highest number of COVID-19 patients so far in the pandemic, with 225 at Cox Health Hospital – 85 of those were on ventilators, and almost all the patients are unvaccinated.
Related
Another troubling number released Wednesday is 35 more deaths were reported, again, not necessarily occurring within the past day.
As the pandemic experiences what may be another wave, the St. Louis Metropolitan Medical Society released a statement. It reads in part;
"As the rate of COVID-19 infections escalates in southwest Missouri including the Delta variant, threatening the St. Louis region, the physicians of the St. Louis Metropolitan Medical Society (SLMMS) encourage all who are eligible to obtain a COVID-19 vaccine.
To address vaccine hesitancy, and ultimately achieve herd immunity, widespread vaccine acceptance across all demographic groups will be imperative. Physicians are working to build trust and acceptance of the vaccine, especially among groups who are the most vulnerable. The Medical Society supports outreach efforts to deliver vaccinations to these vulnerable populations."
© 2021 KMOX (Audacy). All rights reserved
LISTEN on the Audacy App
Follow KMOX
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram