COVID soars at record pace

87 new cases, 128 hospitalized or isolated

By PHYLLIS ZORN

Staff writer

As people prepare to gather with families for Thanksgiving, the number of COVID-19 diagnoses in Marion County has made a steep upward climb.

Kansas Department of Health and Environment reports show 87 Marion County residents were diagnosed with COVID-19 in the week spanning Nov. 7 to Saturday.

Peak days were 23 new cases Nov. 8, 18 new cases Nov. 10, and 17 new cases Nov. 11. The lowest total was Nov. 13, with two new cases.

The Nov. 8 spike was the single worst day since Jan. 4, when there were 27 new cases.

Information from the county health department shows a rise of active cases from 73 Nov. 8, to 99 Nov. 10, and 128 Friday.

As of Monday, the health department reported 97 active cases.

Hospitalizations no longer will be reported by the health department because of hospitalizations in facilities out of the health department’s jurisdiction.

The number of deaths shot up from 32 Nov. 10 to 36 Friday.

At this time, the state reports no COVID clusters in the county.

The county total is now 1,817 cases, or 152.9 cases per 1,000 residents.

Children’s vaccinations

Children 5 to 11 years of age will receive Pfizer pediatric COVID vaccines Nov. 30 at the county health department. The vaccination clinic will be 4 to 6 p.m. Appointments are necessary and are being accepted by the health department at (620) 382-2550.

Booster vaccinations

People who had their primary Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine series six months ago qualify for a booster vaccination if they are 65 or older, or 18 or older and live in a long-term care facility or are at increased risk for exposure.

People 18 and older who got Johnson & Johnson vaccines two months ago are qualified to get booster shots.

People may mix or match which booster shot they get.

Appointments for Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson, and Moderna boosters are being accepted by the health department.

People getting booster shots need to present an insurance card if they have one so the health department can bill for administration of the shot. The shot itself is free even without insurance.