COVID-19 uptick pressures Greene County

An increase in COVID-19 cases in Greene County has caught the attention of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Springfield-Greene Health Department.

The CDC's COVID-19 community levels website shows a high risk of transmission. Officials with the federal agency recommend local residents wear a mask in indoor public spaces, stay up to date on COVID-19 vaccines, get tested if they have symptoms and take additional precautions as needed for people who are at high risk for severe illness.

"People may choose to mask at any time. People with symptoms, a positive test or exposure to someone with COVID-19 should wear a mask," CDC officials recommend on the website.

The most recent CDC data show a Greene County weekly case rate of 266.13 per 100,000 population, 11.8 new COVID-19 admissions per 100,000 population and 4.7% of staffed inpatient beds in use by patients with confirmed cases of the virus.

Kendra Findley, administrator of community health and epidemiology for the Springfield-Greene Health Department, said the organization is recommending "people assess their personal risk when it comes to masking."

"If someone is immunocompromised and in a crowded environment, they should probably choose to wear a mask given the increase in COVID activity," Findley said via email. "Masking is a proven way to protect against contracting the COVID virus, but mandating is not an option any longer. It is a personal choice."

Last year, city and state COVID restrictions on gatherings and face masks were lifted just before summer as many businesses returned, mostly, to pre-pandemic operations, according to past reporting.

According to the Health Department, nearly 53% of the eligible population in Greene County is fully vaccinated.