COVID update

Barton County Health Department Administrator Joel Dermott stated that last week was another quiet one, with only one additional case reported. Dermott stated, “Although we are seeing some indicators of rising case numbers in other states, it has yet to materialize here in Missouri”. He added that statewide numbers are excellent by all measurements.

According to Dermott, sewershed testing is showing the BA.2 as the dominant variant across the state, but it still has not translated into an increase in positive cases. He noted that perhaps this is an indicator of the widespread and predominant nature of the Omicron BA.1 variant that struck in the late fall.

Dermott stated, “Regardless of the cause, we will gladly take it”.