Missouri hospital opens 6th virus ward as variant rages on

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A hospital in Springfield, Missouri, has opened its sixth COVID-19 ward as the variant delta virus rages in the southwestern region of the state, and county health officials St. Louis and Kansas City also warn of a sharp increase in cases.

Springfield’s Mercy Hospital announced on Sunday that it had opened its sixth COVID-19 ward, after the hospital only needed five departments at the height of the pandemic last year, Kansas City reported Star.

Administrative director Erik Frederick said the hospital was treating 133 patients infected with the virus on Sunday.

“Many local rural communities do not have high vaccination rates,” Frederick wrote. “They don’t have a hospital either. Get sick, come to Springfield. I think this is left out in the narrative.

The St. Louis County Health Department issued a public health notice on Monday after a 63% increase – 1,461 cases – in new cases of COVID-19 in the past two weeks. The county currently has an average of 100 new cases diagnosed per day, St. Louis Public Radio reported.

County executive Sam Page attributed the increase in cases to the delta variant, which is more contagious than previous variants. He predicted an increase in hospitalizations and deaths in the coming weeks and urged residents to get vaccinated.

In the Kansas City area, doctors from the University of Kansas Health System said health officials need to start considering possible measures to respond to an increase in cases in the metro area, Kansas reported. City Star.

Health system chief medical officer Dr Steve Stites did not suggest requiring masks in indoor spaces again, but said it could become a possibility due to the large number of people who are not vaccinated in the area, combined with people socializing more often.

The City of Independence issued a public health notice on Friday in response to the increase in COVID-19 cases.