Columbia hospitalizations remain low amid rise in COVID-19 cases
Case numbers for COVID-19 are rising again, but fewer individuals have reported experiencing the same severe symptoms from earlier this year.
During the week of May 14-21, about 38 new cases per day were reported on average. Sixty positive tests were reported on May 16, the highest for the week.
The last spike in cases occurred in late January. The highest number of reported positive tests was 873 collected on Jan. 17.
"We are seeing fewer people hospitalized, which is a very good thing that tells us that it's not impacting the availability of our hospital system," Rebecca Roesslet, assistant director of the Columbia/Boone County Public Health and Human Services department said. "Individuals who are experiencing (COVID-19) are not at the point where they are requiring an extended stay in the hospitals."
Since the start of the pandemic in March 2020, the department has recorded 45,444 total cases.
According to the department's May 23 data, 37 positive tests were recorded on May 19. On May 20, 42 positive tests were recorded. Thirteen positive tests were reported on May 21.
"Now is the time when we are seeing that masks are not being worn with the same consistency that they were in prior months and individuals are gathering more," she said.
She urged individuals experiencing seasonal allergies, like a runny nose, to still seek testing to avoid further spread of the virus.
More: MU ends COVID-19 self-reporting requirement and COVID dashboard with vaccine availability
The department continues to advocate for masking, vaccines, proper hand hygiene and staying home when feeling sick, Roesslet said.
Even amid the increase in cases, MU Health Care's coronavirus dashboard reports fewer hospitalizations compared to earlier this year. The health department reported nearly 200 individuals in county hospitals at one time in the last week of January.
As of Tuesday afternoon, 14 patients were in MU Health Care hospitals for treatment for complications due to COVID-19. Nine of the patients are unvaccinated.
There are three individuals in intensive care units and two on ventilators. Both individuals on the ventilators are vaccinated.
On May 20, four deaths related to the virus were recorded, bringing the total to 247.
The first individual was in the 40-44 age group and died on Jan. 7. The second individual was in the 35-39 age group and died on April 8. The third person was in the 80-and-up age group and died on April 22. The final individual was in the 60-64 age group and died May 7.
Lauren Tronstad covers local government and politics for the Tribune. Contact her at LTronstad@gannett.com or on Twitter @LaurenTronstad.
This article originally appeared on Columbia Daily Tribune: COVID-19 hospitalizations remain low in Columbia amid rise in cases
