Northwestern Missouri Health Services Issue Advisory As COVID-19 Delta Variant Spreads

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Twelve health departments in Northwestern Missouri have joined forces to issue a public health advisory.

The advisory comes amid an increase in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations as the delta variant spreads.

Health officials have said those who have not been vaccinated are at the greatest risk of contracting the virus.

Consistent, they “strongly recommend” that residents get a full COVID-19 vaccine.

The public health notice also states that unvaccinated people should wear a mask in public places, in crowded outdoor places and during any activity that requires close contact with other unvaccinated people.

Departments are asking residents – vaccinated or not – to continue to exercise caution in interactions with the public and to stay at home in the event of illness.

As a perspective, health departments have said that only about 25% of people in Northwestern Missouri are vaccinated, so it’s safe to assume that three in four people in those areas are unvaccinated.

People who are immunocompromised or have other health problems should get vaccinated as soon as possible, health officials advise.

The 12 health departments that approved the advisory include:

• Andrew County
• Atchison County
• Caldwell County
• Daviess County
• Grundy County
• Harrison County
• Holt County
• Livingston County
• Mercer County
• Nodaway County
• City of Saint-Joseph health service
• Tri-County Department of Health (DeKalb, Gentry, Worth)

The Clinton County Health Department was the only department in the area not to sign the message.

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