Area sees increase in COVID-19 cases
July 14, 2021
Sheila Harris
The Barry County Health Department reported a significant increase in new cases of COVID-19 on its July 8 situational update. With 83 new cases, the number was almost double the number of new cases reported the previous week.
The health department also reported that a male, age 61 or older with significant underlying health conditions, died due to complications of COVID-19. His death brought the total number of COVID-related deaths in Barry County to 60 since the counting period began in March of 2020.
Neighboring counties are also reporting an increase in active cases and deaths between June 30 and July 8. Lawrence County reported an increase of 95 active cases and two additional COVID-related deaths; Stone County reported an additional 66 cases and one death; and Newton County reported 149 new cases, with no COVID-related deaths for that period.
Southwest Missouri has gained national attention for the increasing number of COVID-19 cases it is facing, coupled with its low vaccination rate compared to the national average.
Erik Frederick, Chief Administrative Officer of Mercy Springfield, said in a July 11 tweet that with 133-plus COVID patients, Mercy had plans to open a sixth COVID unit, up from last year’s five units.
CoxHealth CEO Steve Edwards told Ky3 staff that on July 11 they had 119 COVID inpatients, in contrast to 14 during the middle of May. That number is expected to increase as the month progresses.
The total of number of confirmed cases of COVID in Barry County stood at 3,405 on July 8. Of that number, 3,230 people had recovered, seven were hospitalized, 115 were in isolation with active cases and over 150 people were in quarantine.
Sheila Harris
The Barry County Health Department reported a significant increase in new cases of COVID-19 on its July 8 situational update. With 83 new cases, the number was almost double the number of new cases reported the previous week.
The health department also reported that a male, age 61 or older with significant underlying health conditions, died due to complications of COVID-19. His death brought the total number of COVID-related deaths in Barry County to 60 since the counting period began in March of 2020.
Neighboring counties are also reporting an increase in active cases and deaths between June 30 and July 8. Lawrence County reported an increase of 95 active cases and two additional COVID-related deaths; Stone County reported an additional 66 cases and one death; and Newton County reported 149 new cases, with no COVID-related deaths for that period.
Southwest Missouri has gained national attention for the increasing number of COVID-19 cases it is facing, coupled with its low vaccination rate compared to the national average.
Erik Frederick, Chief Administrative Officer of Mercy Springfield, said in a July 11 tweet that with 133-plus COVID patients, Mercy had plans to open a sixth COVID unit, up from last year’s five units.
CoxHealth CEO Steve Edwards told Ky3 staff that on July 11 they had 119 COVID inpatients, in contrast to 14 during the middle of May. That number is expected to increase as the month progresses.
The total of number of confirmed cases of COVID in Barry County stood at 3,405 on July 8. Of that number, 3,230 people had recovered, seven were hospitalized, 115 were in isolation with active cases and over 150 people were in quarantine.
