
HUTCHINSON,
Kan. — The Reno County Health Department has begun administering COVID-19 booster doses to ages 16 and 17, effective Monday, December 13. This comes after the CDC and FDA cleared the younger age group last week.

Booster doses are recommended for all individuals aged 16 and older who have completed a 2-dose primary series of Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine at least six months prior, or a Johnson and Johnson vaccine at least two months prior. At this time, only the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine is authorized for adolescents aged 16 and 17. Boosters increase the antibody response, helping to protect from serious illness, even as the virus mutates.

Active COVID-19 cases in Reno County are currently at 629 and the positive test rate is back up over 20%. There has not yet been a confirmed case of the Omicron variant in Kansas. Preventative measures include getting vaccinated, wearing a mask, sanitizing hands frequently, socially distancing, staying home if feeling ill, and getting tested if exposed to COVID-19 or are experiencing symptoms.

Reno County Emergency Management assisted Hutchinson Regional Medical Center in acquiring ten additional ventilator units from the state on Friday. There has been an increased need due to the severity of symptoms patients are experiencing.

The Reno County Health Department is administering vaccines during their normal operating hours. Walk-ins are accepted for those age 12 and over, but appointments are recommended. Appointments are required for children aged 5-11. Call 620-694-2900 and select option 6 for scheduling. The vaccine is free to any Reno County resident, regardless of citizen status or insurance. Flu shots can also be administered at the same time as a COVID vaccine.

The Health Department is open Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday from 7:30am to noon, and 1 to 6pm, and Wednesday from 9am to noon and 1 to 6pm. To view vaccine availability at other sites, visit www.vaccines.gov. For a ride to one of the vaccine sites, call RCAT at 620-694-2913. To view the Reno County COVID-19 dashboard, visit www.renogov.org and click on the dashboard link in the spotlight section.

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HUTCHINSON,
Kan. — The Reno County Health Department has begun administering COVID-19 booster doses to ages 16 and 17, effective Monday, December 13. This comes after the CDC and FDA cleared the younger age group last week.Booster doses are recommended for all individuals aged 16 and older who have completed a 2-dose primary series of Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine at least six months prior, or a Johnson and Johnson vaccine at least two months prior. At this time, only the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine is authorized for adolescents aged 16 and 17. Boosters increase the antibody response, helping to protect from serious illness, even as the virus mutates.Active COVID-19 cases in Reno County are currently at 629 and the positive test rate is back up over 20%. There has not yet been a confirmed case of the Omicron variant in Kansas. Preventative measures include getting vaccinated, wearing a mask, sanitizing hands frequently, socially distancing, staying home if feeling ill, and getting tested if exposed to COVID-19 or are experiencing symptoms.Reno County Emergency Management assisted Hutchinson Regional Medical Center in acquiring ten additional ventilator units from the state on Friday. There has been an increased need due to the severity of symptoms patients are experiencing.The Reno County Health Department is administering vaccines during their normal operating hours. Walk-ins are accepted for those age 12 and over, but appointments are recommended. Appointments are required for children aged 5-11. Call 620-694-2900 and select option 6 for scheduling. The vaccine is free to any Reno County resident, regardless of citizen status or insurance. Flu shots can also be administered at the same time as a COVID vaccine.The Health Department is open Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday from 7:30am to noon, and 1 to 6pm, and Wednesday from 9am to noon and 1 to 6pm. To view vaccine availability at other sites, visit www.vaccines.gov. For a ride to one of the vaccine sites, call RCAT at 620-694-2913. To view the Reno County COVID-19 dashboard, visit www.renogov.org and click on the dashboard link in the spotlight section.

Health Department Administering COVID-19 Boosters to Ages 16 and 17 + Additional Ventilators Acquired

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The number of deaths of Reno County residents increased from 2019 to 2020.

That’s according to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment’s Bureau of Vital Statistics. While it is not a pleasant subject to cover, many do wonder how much of an impact the pandemic had on the number of people who lost their lives year-over-year.&nbsp;

In 2020, 868 county residents died compared with 746 in 2019. Of those, 94 were COVID related, 83 of those COVID deaths were over the age of 65, while 11 were aged 45-64. With a little over three weeks left until the end of the year, the county has seen 81 COVID deaths in 2021. Let it be known that 2019 saw the sixth-most deaths of Reno County residents in 20 years.

The number of COVID deaths was pale by comparison with other factors including heart disease, which claimed 157 lives, and cancer, which took another 129 loved ones. Still, COVID was the third-leading cause of death in 2020, according to the numbers.

Though no number is good, there was a drop in deaths due to suicide from 18 in 2019 to 13 last year, and the number of people who died from kidney disease fell from 24 in 2019 to just nine in 2020.

All of the numbers can be found at the Kansas Information for Communities website at <a href="http://kic.kdheks.gov">kic.kdheks.gov</a>.

<a href="https://hutchpost.com/download" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to download the Hutch Post mobile app. <a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/5e73b532afae0f4d5f5d90ea" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to sign up for the daily Hutch Post email news update.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/7/1626537461693.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The number of deaths of Reno County residents increased from 2019 to 2020.That’s according to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment’s Bureau of Vital Statistics. While it is not a pleasant subject to cover, many do wonder how much of an impact the pandemic had on the number of people who lost their lives year-over-year.&nbsp;In 2020, 868 county residents died compared with 746 in 2019. Of those, 94 were COVID related, 83 of those COVID deaths were over the age of 65, while 11 were aged 45-64. With a little over three weeks left until the end of the year, the county has seen 81 COVID deaths in 2021. Let it be known that 2019 saw the sixth-most deaths of Reno County residents in 20 years.The number of COVID deaths was pale by comparison with other factors including heart disease, which claimed 157 lives, and cancer, which took another 129 loved ones. Still, COVID was the third-leading cause of death in 2020, according to the numbers.Though no number is good, there was a drop in deaths due to suicide from 18 in 2019 to 13 last year, and the number of people who died from kidney disease fell from 24 in 2019 to just nine in 2020.All of the numbers can be found at the Kansas Information for Communities website at <a href="http://kic.kdheks.gov">kic.kdheks.gov</a>.<a href="https://hutchpost.com/download" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to download the Hutch Post mobile app. <a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/5e73b532afae0f4d5f5d90ea" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to sign up for the daily Hutch Post email news update.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Number of Reno County deaths increased


HUTCHINSON,
Kan. — 
Demand has been strong for booster shots in Reno County after the CDC said almost every adult needs one after six months past their initial doses.

"Since that determination came down, we've been giving quite a bit of booster shots," said Karla Nichols with the Reno County Health Department.

According to Nichols, they have given 1864 boosters total to this point. Boosters increase the antibody response, helping to protect from serious illness, even as the virus mutates.

The Reno County Health Department is administering vaccines during their normal operating hours. Walk-ins are accepted for those age 12 and over. Appointments are required for children aged 5-11. Call 620-694-2900 and select option 6 for scheduling. The vaccine is free to any Reno County resident, regardless of citizen status or insurance. Flu shots can also be administered at the same time as a COVID vaccine.

The Health Department is open Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday from 7:30am to noon, and 1 to 6pm, and Wednesday from 9am to noon and 1 to 6pm. To view vaccine availability at other sites, visit www.vaccines.gov. For a ride to one of the vaccine sites, call RCAT at 620-694-2913. 

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By
NICK GOSNELL
Hutch
Post
HUTCHINSON,
Kan. — 
Demand has been strong for booster shots in Reno County after the CDC said almost every adult needs one after six months past their initial doses."Since that determination came down, we've been giving quite a bit of booster shots," said Karla Nichols with the Reno County Health Department.According to Nichols, they have given 1864 boosters total to this point. Boosters increase the antibody response, helping to protect from serious illness, even as the virus mutates.The Reno County Health Department is administering vaccines during their normal operating hours. Walk-ins are accepted for those age 12 and over. Appointments are required for children aged 5-11. Call 620-694-2900 and select option 6 for scheduling. The vaccine is free to any Reno County resident, regardless of citizen status or insurance. Flu shots can also be administered at the same time as a COVID vaccine.The Health Department is open Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday from 7:30am to noon, and 1 to 6pm, and Wednesday from 9am to noon and 1 to 6pm. To view vaccine availability at other sites, visit www.vaccines.gov. For a ride to one of the vaccine sites, call RCAT at 620-694-2913.

Reno Co. Health Dept.: Nearly 2,000 boosters given thus far

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Reno County Health Department says that, just as active cases of COVID-19 are back up to 500 in Reno County, the new Omicron variant is emerging as the next potential risk. No confirmed cases have been identified in Kansas or the United States to date.

Many details of the new variant, such as transmissibility, are still unknown, but taking steps to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus remains the same. It’s recommended that everyone receive a COVID-19 vaccine or booster dose, wear a mask, sanitize hands frequently, socially distance, stay home if feeling ill, and get tested if exposed to COVID-19 or experiencing symptoms.

The health department says 51% of Reno County residents have received at least one dose of the vaccine. Everyone over the age of five is now eligible for a vaccine.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The Reno County Health Department is administering vaccines during normal operating hours. Walk-ins are accepted for those 12 and over. Appointments are required for children 5-11. Call 620-694-2900 and select option 6 for scheduling. The vaccine is free to any Reno County resident, regardless of citizen status or insurance. Flu shots can also be administered at the same time as a COVID vaccine.

The health department is open Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday from 7:30 a.m. to noon, and 1 p.m. to 6 p.m., and Wednesday from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 6pm. To view vaccine availability at other sites, visit <a href="http://www.vaccines.gov/">www.vaccines.gov</a>. For a ride to one of the vaccine sites, call RCAT at 620-694-2913. To view the Reno County COVID-19 dashboard, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/9a7d44773e4c4a48b3e09e4d8673961b/">renogov.org</a>.

<a href="https://hutchpost.com/download" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to download the Hutch Post mobile app. <a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/5e73b532afae0f4d5f5d90ea" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to sign up for the daily Hutch Post email news update.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1589472383275.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Reno County Health Department says that, just as active cases of COVID-19 are back up to 500 in Reno County, the new Omicron variant is emerging as the next potential risk. No confirmed cases have been identified in Kansas or the United States to date.Many details of the new variant, such as transmissibility, are still unknown, but taking steps to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus remains the same. It’s recommended that everyone receive a COVID-19 vaccine or booster dose, wear a mask, sanitize hands frequently, socially distance, stay home if feeling ill, and get tested if exposed to COVID-19 or experiencing symptoms.The health department says 51% of Reno County residents have received at least one dose of the vaccine. Everyone over the age of five is now eligible for a vaccine.&nbsp;&nbsp;The Reno County Health Department is administering vaccines during normal operating hours. Walk-ins are accepted for those 12 and over. Appointments are required for children 5-11. Call 620-694-2900 and select option 6 for scheduling. The vaccine is free to any Reno County resident, regardless of citizen status or insurance. Flu shots can also be administered at the same time as a COVID vaccine.The health department is open Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday from 7:30 a.m. to noon, and 1 p.m. to 6 p.m., and Wednesday from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 6pm. To view vaccine availability at other sites, visit <a href="http://www.vaccines.gov/">www.vaccines.gov</a>. For a ride to one of the vaccine sites, call RCAT at 620-694-2913. To view the Reno County COVID-19 dashboard, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/9a7d44773e4c4a48b3e09e4d8673961b/">renogov.org</a>.<a href="https://hutchpost.com/download" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to download the Hutch Post mobile app. <a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/5e73b532afae0f4d5f5d90ea" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to sign up for the daily Hutch Post email news update.

Health Department releases statement on new COVID variant

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Though COVID cases continue to rise as they did in November of 2020, it’s still staying somewhat tempered this time around.&nbsp;

As of Tuesday, there were 445 active cases compared with 1,078 in 2020. The number of cases increased by 1,985 from the start of the month until now in 2020. This year the increase has been bad but not nearly as big with 916 cases since the start of November. Though the number of new cases is climbing, the number of active cases is still much less than last year.

One thing that remains to be seen is if cases climb after the Thanksgiving holiday with travel much less restricted than last year and colleges letting students go home for the break.&nbsp;

Last year most schools canceled the rest of the fall semester in the buildings and either ended the first half of the year then or went to some type of off-campus learning.

Currently, there are 10 Reno County residents hospitalized and the number of fatalities from COVID is still at 172. The vaccine rate in the county is still around 50.5%.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1634865905825.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Though COVID cases continue to rise as they did in November of 2020, it’s still staying somewhat tempered this time around.&nbsp;As of Tuesday, there were 445 active cases compared with 1,078 in 2020. The number of cases increased by 1,985 from the start of the month until now in 2020. This year the increase has been bad but not nearly as big with 916 cases since the start of November. Though the number of new cases is climbing, the number of active cases is still much less than last year.One thing that remains to be seen is if cases climb after the Thanksgiving holiday with travel much less restricted than last year and colleges letting students go home for the break.&nbsp;Last year most schools canceled the rest of the fall semester in the buildings and either ended the first half of the year then or went to some type of off-campus learning.Currently, there are 10 Reno County residents hospitalized and the number of fatalities from COVID is still at 172. The vaccine rate in the county is still around 50.5%.<a href="https://hutchpost.com/download" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to download the Hutch Post mobile app. <a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/5e73b532afae0f4d5f5d90ea" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to sign up for the daily Hutch Post email news update.&nbsp;&nbsp;

COVID increasing, but numbers still better than 2020

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The total number of COVID cases has jumped by more than 530 since Nov 1.

As of Tuesday morning, the total number of county residents that have tested positive for COVID stands at 11,112.&nbsp;

The number of active cases is staying rather flat at 338. By comparison, on November 16 of 2020 the active case count was at 997. The number of cases in the first 12 days of November of last year jumped by 1,241.

It’s something the Reno County Health Department continues to watch.

“We definitely have seen a bump in cases again and when you look at pandemics you see them come in waves,” Karen Hamnmersmith with the Reno County Health Department said.&nbsp;

Hammersmith says that a combination of vaccinations and better understanding of the virus is helping keep the numbers in check.

“What I think is helping from that first wave is the vaccine,” Hammersmith said. “We really are attributing that it hasn’t spiked to a thousand.”&nbsp;

Hammersmith says that since last year treatment for COVID has improved especially with the use of monoclonal antibodies.

“The treatment is out there as well, we have a better treatment with the monoclonal antibodies,” Hammersmith said. “We do see as the numbers go up we still see more hospitalizations, but we really want to get the word out about the monoclonal antibodies.”

The number of fatalities from COVID in the county is still at 172.

<a href="https://hutchpost.com/download" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to download the HutchPost mobile app. <a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/5e73b532afae0f4d5f5d90ea" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to sign up for the daily HutchPost email news update.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1589472383275.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>BY ROD ZOOKHutch PostHUTCHINSON, Kan. — The total number of COVID cases has jumped by more than 530 since Nov 1.As of Tuesday morning, the total number of county residents that have tested positive for COVID stands at 11,112.&nbsp;The number of active cases is staying rather flat at 338. By comparison, on November 16 of 2020 the active case count was at 997. The number of cases in the first 12 days of November of last year jumped by 1,241.It’s something the Reno County Health Department continues to watch.“We definitely have seen a bump in cases again and when you look at pandemics you see them come in waves,” Karen Hamnmersmith with the Reno County Health Department said.&nbsp;Hammersmith says that a combination of vaccinations and better understanding of the virus is helping keep the numbers in check.“What I think is helping from that first wave is the vaccine,” Hammersmith said. “We really are attributing that it hasn’t spiked to a thousand.”&nbsp;Hammersmith says that since last year treatment for COVID has improved especially with the use of monoclonal antibodies.“The treatment is out there as well, we have a better treatment with the monoclonal antibodies,” Hammersmith said. “We do see as the numbers go up we still see more hospitalizations, but we really want to get the word out about the monoclonal antibodies.”The number of fatalities from COVID in the county is still at 172.<a href="https://hutchpost.com/download" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to download the HutchPost mobile app. <a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/5e73b532afae0f4d5f5d90ea" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to sign up for the daily HutchPost email news update.

COVID surge is staying mild at this time

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Reno County Health Department says that&nbsp; 20% of new cases are in children between ages 5 to 12. That comes as the active case count jumped back above 300 in the past week. Still, the majority of cases are occurring in the 60 and over age group. Two school clusters and a long-term care facility have contributed to the increase. The biggest increases as a proportion to population have occurred in the Buhler, Haven and Burrton areas. Cooler weather has also led to a rise in indoor activities.

The health department says that, with the holidays approaching, it is strongly recommending vaccination to protect yourself and your loved ones. All Kansans over the age of 5 are eligible for the vaccine. Booster doses are also available for those aged 65 and over, residents in long-term care settings, and those aged 50 to 64 years with underlying medical conditions. Persons aged 18 to 49 with underlying medical conditions and ages 18 to 64 who are at increased risk for exposure and transmission because of occupational or institutional setting may also receive a booster.

The Reno County Health Department is administering vaccines during normal operating hours. Appointments by phone are recommended but walk-ins will be accepted as space allows. The vaccine is free to any Reno County resident, regardless of citizen status or insurance. Call 620-694-2900 and select option 6 for scheduling. Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson &amp; Johnson COVID-19 vaccines are all available, as well as the flu vaccine. It is now permitted to mix and match vaccines for your booster shot and to receive a flu shot at the same time as a COVID vaccine.

The health department is open Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 7:30 a.m. to noon, and 1 to 6 p.m., and Wednesday from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 6 p.m. To view vaccine availability at other sites, visit <a href="https://vaccinefinder.org/">https://vaccinefinder.org/</a>. For a ride to one of the vaccine sites, call RCAT at 620-694-2913. <a href="https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/9a7d44773e4c4a48b3e09e4d8673961b/">Click here to view the Reno County COVID-19 dashboard</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1589472383275.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Reno County Health Department says that&nbsp; 20% of new cases are in children between ages 5 to 12. That comes as the active case count jumped back above 300 in the past week. Still, the majority of cases are occurring in the 60 and over age group. Two school clusters and a long-term care facility have contributed to the increase. The biggest increases as a proportion to population have occurred in the Buhler, Haven and Burrton areas. Cooler weather has also led to a rise in indoor activities.The health department says that, with the holidays approaching, it is strongly recommending vaccination to protect yourself and your loved ones. All Kansans over the age of 5 are eligible for the vaccine. Booster doses are also available for those aged 65 and over, residents in long-term care settings, and those aged 50 to 64 years with underlying medical conditions. Persons aged 18 to 49 with underlying medical conditions and ages 18 to 64 who are at increased risk for exposure and transmission because of occupational or institutional setting may also receive a booster.The Reno County Health Department is administering vaccines during normal operating hours. Appointments by phone are recommended but walk-ins will be accepted as space allows. The vaccine is free to any Reno County resident, regardless of citizen status or insurance. Call 620-694-2900 and select option 6 for scheduling. Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson &amp; Johnson COVID-19 vaccines are all available, as well as the flu vaccine. It is now permitted to mix and match vaccines for your booster shot and to receive a flu shot at the same time as a COVID vaccine.The health department is open Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 7:30 a.m. to noon, and 1 to 6 p.m., and Wednesday from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 6 p.m. To view vaccine availability at other sites, visit <a href="https://vaccinefinder.org/">https://vaccinefinder.org/</a>. For a ride to one of the vaccine sites, call RCAT at 620-694-2913. <a href="https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/9a7d44773e4c4a48b3e09e4d8673961b/">Click here to view the Reno County COVID-19 dashboard</a>.<a href="https://hutchpost.com/download" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to download the Hutch Post mobile app. <a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/5e73b532afae0f4d5f5d90ea" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to sign up for the daily Hutch Post email news update.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Smaller cities seeing COVID increases in the county

HAVEN, Kan. — The Haven USD 312 School District says that due to significant increases in positive COVID cases at Haven Grade School, the school is now in remote learning.&nbsp;

Students will not be in the building through November 17. Teachers are providing&nbsp; information related to remote learning starting today (Friday). Lunch is available and can be picked up at Haven Grade School. Lunches for&nbsp; Friday and Monday are being provided today (Friday) from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. Lunches for Tuesday and Wednesday of next week can be picked up Tuesday from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m.

The district says they hope to have students back in classrooms Thursday, November 18. It's the second school in Reno County to go to remote learning, joining Buhler Grade School who has been on remote learning this past week.

<a href="https://hutchpost.com/download" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to download the HutchPost mobile app. <a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/5e73b532afae0f4d5f5d90ea" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to sign up for the daily HutchPost email news update.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1587053540131.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>HAVEN, Kan. — The Haven USD 312 School District says that due to significant increases in positive COVID cases at Haven Grade School, the school is now in remote learning.&nbsp;Students will not be in the building through November 17. Teachers are providing&nbsp; information related to remote learning starting today (Friday). Lunch is available and can be picked up at Haven Grade School. Lunches for&nbsp; Friday and Monday are being provided today (Friday) from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. Lunches for Tuesday and Wednesday of next week can be picked up Tuesday from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m.The district says they hope to have students back in classrooms Thursday, November 18. It's the second school in Reno County to go to remote learning, joining Buhler Grade School who has been on remote learning this past week.<a href="https://hutchpost.com/download" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to download the HutchPost mobile app. <a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/5e73b532afae0f4d5f5d90ea" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to sign up for the daily HutchPost email news update.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Haven Grade School goes to remote learning

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The number of new COVID cases has jumped by 447 in the past 11 days. As of Friday morning, the number of positive cases stands at 11,023. The current active case count has also increased by 167 cases since the start of November to 347.

The numbers are not as high as 2020 when the active case count stood at 926 Nov. 12. The Reno County Health Department says they are hoping that vaccinations, especially for those over 65 and other efforts will keep the numbers lower for Thanksgiving when the 2020 numbers peaked at more than 1,500 active cases before decreasing to less than 600 at Christmas of last year.

The number of deaths related to COVID also increased by 3 to 172 in the county.

Vaccinations are now approved for emergency use for children. As of Friday, total vaccinations have crossed the 50% threshold.

The death rate for COVID-19 in Reno County is 172 of 10,676 or 1.6%.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1634865905825.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The number of new COVID cases has jumped by 447 in the past 11 days. As of Friday morning, the number of positive cases stands at 11,023. The current active case count has also increased by 167 cases since the start of November to 347.The numbers are not as high as 2020 when the active case count stood at 926 Nov. 12. The Reno County Health Department says they are hoping that vaccinations, especially for those over 65 and other efforts will keep the numbers lower for Thanksgiving when the 2020 numbers peaked at more than 1,500 active cases before decreasing to less than 600 at Christmas of last year.The number of deaths related to COVID also increased by 3 to 172 in the county.Vaccinations are now approved for emergency use for children. As of Friday, total vaccinations have crossed the 50% threshold.The death rate for COVID-19 in Reno County is 172 of 10,676 or 1.6%.

Friday Update: Case count back above 300 this week, vaccinations now above 50%

TOPEKA— Governor Laura Kelly says Kansas will encourage its public schools to hold clinics for vaccinating children ages 5 through 11 against COVID-19. 

She said Wednesday during the Safer Classrooms Workgroup virtual meeting that some doses already have arrived in the state. Kansas expects to receive nearly 128,000 doses of a vaccine for younger children manufactured by Pfizer by next week.

The governor announced that all children in the 5-11 age group immediately will be eligible for shots and that most of the doses should be in the state by Friday. The doses would be enough for 46% of the state's children ages 5 through 11 to get the first of two shots.

The state is following recommendations from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on vaccinating children.

Federal health authorities gave the final go-ahead Tuesday for a vaccine made by Pfizer for younger children.

TOPEKA— Governor Laura Kelly says Kansas will encourage its public schools to hold clinics for vaccinating children ages 5 through 11 against COVID-19. <div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Cdn1YlkaONE?start=144" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>She said Wednesday during the Safer Classrooms Workgroup virtual meeting that some doses already have arrived in the state. Kansas expects to receive nearly 128,000 doses of a vaccine for younger children manufactured by Pfizer by next week.The governor announced that all children in the 5-11 age group immediately will be eligible for shots and that most of the doses should be in the state by Friday. The doses would be enough for 46% of the state's children ages 5 through 11 to get the first of two shots.The state is following recommendations from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on vaccinating children.Federal health authorities gave the final go-ahead Tuesday for a vaccine made by Pfizer for younger children.

🎥 Gov. Kelly encourages schools to hold COVID vaccine clinics 

TOPEKA —Governor Kelly discussed Kansas' plan to vaccinate children ages 5-11 years-old at the Safer Classrooms Workgroup virtual meeting Wednesday. It began just after 1p.m.

The state expects to receive nearly 128,000 doses of a COVID-19 vaccine for children aged 5 through 11 next week, and the state also announced Wednesday that all of them will be eligible for shots. 

According to Gov. Kelly, Kansas is following recommendations from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on vaccinating children. 

Kansas has about 276,000 children from 5 through 11, and the doses it expects to receive will be enough for 46% of them to get the first of two shots. Federal health authorities gave the final go-ahead Tuesday for a vaccine made by Pfizer for younger children.

TOPEKA —Governor Kelly discussed Kansas' plan to vaccinate children ages 5-11 years-old at the Safer Classrooms Workgroup virtual meeting Wednesday. It began just after 1p.m.<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Cdn1YlkaONE?start=144" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>The state expects to receive nearly 128,000 doses of a COVID-19 vaccine for children aged 5 through 11 next week, and the state also announced Wednesday that all of them will be eligible for shots. According to Gov. Kelly, Kansas is following recommendations from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on vaccinating children. Kansas has about 276,000 children from 5 through 11, and the doses it expects to receive will be enough for 46% of them to get the first of two shots. Federal health authorities gave the final go-ahead Tuesday for a vaccine made by Pfizer for younger children.

🎥 Governor on Kansas plan to vaccinate kids age 5-11 

ATLANTA (AP) —U.S. health officials on Tuesday gave the final signoff to Pfizer’s kid-size COVID-19 shot, a major expansion of the nation’s vaccination campaign.

The Food and Drug Administration already authorized the shots for children ages 5 to 11 — doses just a third of the amount given to teens and adults. But the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends who should receive FDA-cleared vaccines.

The announcement by CDC director Dr. Rochelle Walensky came only hours after an advisory panel unanimously decided Pfizer’s shots should be opened to the 28 million youngsters in that age group.

Millions of shots made by Pfizer and its partner BioNTech have already been shipped to states, doctors’ offices and pharmacies, to be ready for CDC’s decision.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1635890433225.png" alt="CDC Director Rochelle Walensky" />
 <figcaption>CDC Director Rochelle Walensky</figcaption>
 </figure>ATLANTA (AP) —U.S. health officials on Tuesday gave the final signoff to Pfizer’s kid-size COVID-19 shot, a major expansion of the nation’s vaccination campaign.The Food and Drug Administration already authorized the shots for children ages 5 to 11 — doses just a third of the amount given to teens and adults. But the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends who should receive FDA-cleared vaccines.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1635537216378.png" alt="The vaccine for children has an orange cap-Photo courtesy Pfizer" />
 <figcaption>The vaccine for children has an orange cap-Photo courtesy Pfizer</figcaption>
 </figure>The announcement by CDC director Dr. Rochelle Walensky came only hours after an advisory panel unanimously decided Pfizer’s shots should be opened to the 28 million youngsters in that age group.Millions of shots made by Pfizer and its partner BioNTech have already been shipped to states, doctors’ offices and pharmacies, to be ready for CDC’s decision.___

US gives final clearance to COVID-19 shots for kids 5 to 11

The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-five-million-dead-memorials-acd5a25aabb50f203c8ee059803a1bec">global death toll</a>&nbsp;from COVID-19 topped 5 million on Monday, less than two years into a crisis that has not only devastated poor countries but also humbled wealthy ones with first-rate health care systems.

Together, the United States, the European Union, Britain and Brazil — all upper-middle- or high-income countries — account for one-eighth of the world’s population but nearly half of all reported deaths. The U.S. alone has recorded over 740,000 lives lost, more than any other nation.

“This is a defining moment in our lifetime,” said Dr. Albert Ko, an infectious disease specialist at the Yale School of Public Health. “What do we have to do to protect ourselves so we don’t get to another 5 million?”

The death toll, as tallied by Johns Hopkins University, is about equal to the populations of Los Angeles and San Francisco combined. It rivals the number of people killed in battles among nations since 1950, according to estimates from the Peace Research Institute Oslo. Globally, COVID-19 is now the third leading cause of death, after heart disease and stroke.

The staggering figure is almost certainly an undercount because of limited testing and people dying at home without medical attention, especially in poor parts of the world, such as India.

Hot spots have shifted over the 22 months since the outbreak began, turning different places on the world map red. Now,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-business-europe-pandemics-moscow-b844be49c2811a454440d4e84d5e5338">the virus is pummeling Russia</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-health-religion-europe-eastern-europe-2c9668cdc75b37ed140345405fcc3f54">Ukraine and other parts of Eastern Europe</a>, especially where rumors, misinformation and distrust in government have hobbled vaccination efforts. In Ukraine, only 17% of the adult population is fully vaccinated; in Armenia, only 7%.

“What’s uniquely different about this pandemic is it hit hardest the high-resource countries,” said Dr. Wafaa El-Sadr, director of ICAP, a global health center at Columbia University. “That’s the irony of COVID-19.”

Wealthier nations with longer life expectancies have larger proportions of older people, cancer survivors and nursing home residents, all of whom are especially vulnerable to COVID-19, El-Sadr noted. Poorer countries tend to have larger shares of children, teens and young adults, who are less likely to fall seriously ill from the coronavirus.

India, despite its terrifying delta surge that peaked in early May, now has a much lower reported daily death rate than wealthier Russia, the U.S. or Britain, though there is uncertainty around its figures.

The seeming disconnect between wealth and health is a paradox that disease experts will be pondering for years. But the pattern that is seen on the grand scale, when nations are compared, is different when examined at closer range. Within each wealthy country, when deaths and infections are mapped, poorer neighborhoods are hit hardest.

In the U.S., for example, COVID-19 has taken an outsize toll on Black and Hispanic people, who are more likely than white people to live in poverty and have less access to health care.

“When we get out our microscopes, we see that within countries, the most vulnerable have suffered most,” Ko said.

Wealth has also played a role in the global vaccination drive, with rich countries accused of locking up supplies. The U.S. and others are already dispensing booster shots at a time when millions&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-technology-business-cape-town-health-48046e5255cc3e4fa27455fc12ab5e52">across Africa haven’t received a single dose</a>, though the rich countries are also shipping hundreds of millions of shots to the rest of the world.

Africa remains the world’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-business-lifestyle-europe-philanthropy-31fd688936caec29ff082412ef23e30a">least vaccinated region</a>, with just 5% of the population of 1.3 billion people fully covered.

In Kampala, Uganda, Cissy Kagaba lost her 62-year-old mother on Christmas Day and her 76-year-old father days later.

“Christmas will never be the same for me,” said Kagaba, an anti-corruption activist in the East African country that has been through multiple lockdowns against the virus and where a curfew remains in place.

The pandemic has united the globe in grief and pushed survivors to the breaking point.

“Who else is there now? The responsibility is on me. COVID has changed my life,” said 32-year-old Reena Kesarwani, a mother of two boys, who was left to manage her late husband’s modest hardware store in a village in India.

Her husband, Anand Babu Kesarwani, died at 38 during India’s crushing coronavirus surge earlier this year. It overwhelmed one of the most chronically underfunded public health systems in the world and killed tens of thousands as hospitals ran out of oxygen and medicine.

In Bergamo, Italy, once the site of the West’s first deadly wave, 51-year-old Fabrizio Fidanza was deprived of a final farewell as his 86-year-old father lay dying in the hospital. He is still trying to come to terms with the loss more than a year later.

“For the last month, I never saw him,” Fidanza said during a visit to his father’s grave. “It was the worst moment. But coming here every week, helps me.”

Today, 92% of Bergamo’s eligible population have had at least one shot, the highest vaccination rate in Italy. The chief of medicine at Pope John XXIII Hospital, Dr. Stefano Fagiuoli, said he believes that’s a clear result of the city’s collective trauma, when the wail of ambulances was constant.

In Lake City, Florida, LaTasha Graham, 38, still gets mail almost daily for her 17-year-old daughter, Jo’Keria, who died of COVID-19 in August, days before starting her senior year of high school. The teen, who was buried in her cap and gown, wanted to be a trauma surgeon.

“I know that she would have made it. I know that she would have been where she wanted to go,” her mother said.

In Rio de Janeiro, Erika Machado scanned the list of names engraved on a long, undulating sculpture of oxidized steel that stands in Penitencia cemetery as an homage to some of Brazil’s COVID-19 victims. Then she found him: Wagner Machado, her father.

“My dad was the love of my life, my best friend,” said Machado, 40, a saleswoman who traveled from Sao Paulo to see her father’s name. “He was everything to me.”

By CARLA K. JOHNSON, Associated PressThe&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-five-million-dead-memorials-acd5a25aabb50f203c8ee059803a1bec">global death toll</a>&nbsp;from COVID-19 topped 5 million on Monday, less than two years into a crisis that has not only devastated poor countries but also humbled wealthy ones with first-rate health care systems.Together, the United States, the European Union, Britain and Brazil — all upper-middle- or high-income countries — account for one-eighth of the world’s population but nearly half of all reported deaths. The U.S. alone has recorded over 740,000 lives lost, more than any other nation.“This is a defining moment in our lifetime,” said Dr. Albert Ko, an infectious disease specialist at the Yale School of Public Health. “What do we have to do to protect ourselves so we don’t get to another 5 million?”The death toll, as tallied by Johns Hopkins University, is about equal to the populations of Los Angeles and San Francisco combined. It rivals the number of people killed in battles among nations since 1950, according to estimates from the Peace Research Institute Oslo. Globally, COVID-19 is now the third leading cause of death, after heart disease and stroke.The staggering figure is almost certainly an undercount because of limited testing and people dying at home without medical attention, especially in poor parts of the world, such as India.Hot spots have shifted over the 22 months since the outbreak began, turning different places on the world map red. Now,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-business-europe-pandemics-moscow-b844be49c2811a454440d4e84d5e5338">the virus is pummeling Russia</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-health-religion-europe-eastern-europe-2c9668cdc75b37ed140345405fcc3f54">Ukraine and other parts of Eastern Europe</a>, especially where rumors, misinformation and distrust in government have hobbled vaccination efforts. In Ukraine, only 17% of the adult population is fully vaccinated; in Armenia, only 7%.“What’s uniquely different about this pandemic is it hit hardest the high-resource countries,” said Dr. Wafaa El-Sadr, director of ICAP, a global health center at Columbia University. “That’s the irony of COVID-19.”Wealthier nations with longer life expectancies have larger proportions of older people, cancer survivors and nursing home residents, all of whom are especially vulnerable to COVID-19, El-Sadr noted. Poorer countries tend to have larger shares of children, teens and young adults, who are less likely to fall seriously ill from the coronavirus.India, despite its terrifying delta surge that peaked in early May, now has a much lower reported daily death rate than wealthier Russia, the U.S. or Britain, though there is uncertainty around its figures.The seeming disconnect between wealth and health is a paradox that disease experts will be pondering for years. But the pattern that is seen on the grand scale, when nations are compared, is different when examined at closer range. Within each wealthy country, when deaths and infections are mapped, poorer neighborhoods are hit hardest.In the U.S., for example, COVID-19 has taken an outsize toll on Black and Hispanic people, who are more likely than white people to live in poverty and have less access to health care.“When we get out our microscopes, we see that within countries, the most vulnerable have suffered most,” Ko said.Wealth has also played a role in the global vaccination drive, with rich countries accused of locking up supplies. The U.S. and others are already dispensing booster shots at a time when millions&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-technology-business-cape-town-health-48046e5255cc3e4fa27455fc12ab5e52">across Africa haven’t received a single dose</a>, though the rich countries are also shipping hundreds of millions of shots to the rest of the world.Africa remains the world’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-business-lifestyle-europe-philanthropy-31fd688936caec29ff082412ef23e30a">least vaccinated region</a>, with just 5% of the population of 1.3 billion people fully covered.In Kampala, Uganda, Cissy Kagaba lost her 62-year-old mother on Christmas Day and her 76-year-old father days later.“Christmas will never be the same for me,” said Kagaba, an anti-corruption activist in the East African country that has been through multiple lockdowns against the virus and where a curfew remains in place.The pandemic has united the globe in grief and pushed survivors to the breaking point.“Who else is there now? The responsibility is on me. COVID has changed my life,” said 32-year-old Reena Kesarwani, a mother of two boys, who was left to manage her late husband’s modest hardware store in a village in India.Her husband, Anand Babu Kesarwani, died at 38 during India’s crushing coronavirus surge earlier this year. It overwhelmed one of the most chronically underfunded public health systems in the world and killed tens of thousands as hospitals ran out of oxygen and medicine.In Bergamo, Italy, once the site of the West’s first deadly wave, 51-year-old Fabrizio Fidanza was deprived of a final farewell as his 86-year-old father lay dying in the hospital. He is still trying to come to terms with the loss more than a year later.“For the last month, I never saw him,” Fidanza said during a visit to his father’s grave. “It was the worst moment. But coming here every week, helps me.”Today, 92% of Bergamo’s eligible population have had at least one shot, the highest vaccination rate in Italy. The chief of medicine at Pope John XXIII Hospital, Dr. Stefano Fagiuoli, said he believes that’s a clear result of the city’s collective trauma, when the wail of ambulances was constant.In Lake City, Florida, LaTasha Graham, 38, still gets mail almost daily for her 17-year-old daughter, Jo’Keria, who died of COVID-19 in August, days before starting her senior year of high school. The teen, who was buried in her cap and gown, wanted to be a trauma surgeon.“I know that she would have made it. I know that she would have been where she wanted to go,” her mother said.In Rio de Janeiro, Erika Machado scanned the list of names engraved on a long, undulating sculpture of oxidized steel that stands in Penitencia cemetery as an homage to some of Brazil’s COVID-19 victims. Then she found him: Wagner Machado, her father.“My dad was the love of my life, my best friend,” said Machado, 40, a saleswoman who traveled from Sao Paulo to see her father’s name. “He was everything to me.”___

COVID-19's global death toll tops 5 million 

WASHINGTON (AP) — Millions more Americans can get a COVID-19 booster and choose a different company’s vaccine for that next shot, federal health officials said Thursday.

Certain people who received Pfizer vaccinations months ago already are eligible for a booster and now the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says specific Moderna and Johnson &amp; Johnson recipients qualify, too. And in a bigger change, the agency is allowing the flexibility of “mixing and matching” that extra dose regardless of which type people received first.

The Food and Drug Administration had already authorized such an expansion of the nation’s booster campaign on Wednesday, and it was also endorsed Thursday by a CDC advisory panel. CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky had the final word on who gets the extra doses.

“These past 20 months have taught us many things, but mostly to have humility,” she told the panel. “We are constantly learning about this virus, growing the evidence base and accumulating more data.”

There still are restrictions on who qualifies and when for a booster. Starting six months past their last Pfizer or Moderna vaccination, people are urged to get a booster if they’re 65 or older, nursing home residents, or at least 50 and at increased risk of severe disease because of health problems. Boosters also were allowed, but not urged, for adults of any age at increased risk of infection because of health problems or their jobs or living conditions. That includes health care workers, teachers and people in jails or homeless shelters.

Moderna’s booster will come at half the dose of the original two shots.

As for recipients of the single-shot J&amp;J vaccine, a COVID-19 booster is recommended for everyone at least two months after their vaccination. That’s because the J&amp;J vaccine hasn’t proved as protective as the two-dose Moderna or Pfizer options.

The CDC panel didn’t explicitly recommend anyone get a different brand than they started with but left open the option — saying only that a booster of some sort was recommended. And some of the advisers said they would prefer that J&amp;J recipients receive a competitor’s booster, citing preliminary data from an ongoing government study that suggested a bigger boost in virus-fighting antibodies from that combination.

“We’re at a different place in the pandemic than we were earlier” when supply constraints meant people had to take whatever shot they were offered, noted CDC adviser Dr. Helen Keipp Talbot of Vanderbilt University.

She called it “priceless” to be able to choose a different kind for the booster if, for example, someone might be at risk for a rare side effect from a specific vaccine.

About two-thirds of Americans eligible for COVID-19 shots are fully vaccinated, and the government says getting first shots to the unvaccinated remain the priority. While health authorities hope boosters will shore up waning immunity against milder coronavirus infections, all the vaccines still offer strong protection against hospitalizations and death, even as the extra-contagious delta variant burned through the country.

And CDC’s advisers wrestled with whether people who didn’t really need boosters might be getting them, especially young, otherwise healthy adults whose only qualification was their job.

Dr. Sarah Long of Drexel University voiced concerns about opening those people to rare but serious side effects from another dose if they already were adequately protected.

“I have my own concerns that we appear to be recommending vaccines for people who I don’t think need it,” added Dr. Beth Bell of the University of Washington.

But she stressed that the vaccines work and that moving forward with the recommendations makes sense for the sake of being clear and allowing flexibility when it comes to boosters.

Despite the concerns by some members, the panels’ votes ended up being unanimous.

The vast majority of the nearly 190 million Americans who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 have received the Pfizer or Moderna options, while J&amp;J recipients account for only about 15 million.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1634854349255.png" alt="CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky had the final word on who gets the extra doses." />
 <figcaption>CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky had the final word on who gets the extra doses.</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — Millions more Americans can get a COVID-19 booster and choose a different company’s vaccine for that next shot, federal health officials said Thursday.<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Qoqia5YkwHc?start=24501" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>Certain people who received Pfizer vaccinations months ago already are eligible for a booster and now the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says specific Moderna and Johnson &amp; Johnson recipients qualify, too. And in a bigger change, the agency is allowing the flexibility of “mixing and matching” that extra dose regardless of which type people received first.The Food and Drug Administration had already authorized such an expansion of the nation’s booster campaign on Wednesday, and it was also endorsed Thursday by a CDC advisory panel. CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky had the final word on who gets the extra doses.“These past 20 months have taught us many things, but mostly to have humility,” she told the panel. “We are constantly learning about this virus, growing the evidence base and accumulating more data.”There still are restrictions on who qualifies and when for a booster. Starting six months past their last Pfizer or Moderna vaccination, people are urged to get a booster if they’re 65 or older, nursing home residents, or at least 50 and at increased risk of severe disease because of health problems. Boosters also were allowed, but not urged, for adults of any age at increased risk of infection because of health problems or their jobs or living conditions. That includes health care workers, teachers and people in jails or homeless shelters.Moderna’s booster will come at half the dose of the original two shots.As for recipients of the single-shot J&amp;J vaccine, a COVID-19 booster is recommended for everyone at least two months after their vaccination. That’s because the J&amp;J vaccine hasn’t proved as protective as the two-dose Moderna or Pfizer options.The CDC panel didn’t explicitly recommend anyone get a different brand than they started with but left open the option — saying only that a booster of some sort was recommended. And some of the advisers said they would prefer that J&amp;J recipients receive a competitor’s booster, citing preliminary data from an ongoing government study that suggested a bigger boost in virus-fighting antibodies from that combination.“We’re at a different place in the pandemic than we were earlier” when supply constraints meant people had to take whatever shot they were offered, noted CDC adviser Dr. Helen Keipp Talbot of Vanderbilt University.She called it “priceless” to be able to choose a different kind for the booster if, for example, someone might be at risk for a rare side effect from a specific vaccine.About two-thirds of Americans eligible for COVID-19 shots are fully vaccinated, and the government says getting first shots to the unvaccinated remain the priority. While health authorities hope boosters will shore up waning immunity against milder coronavirus infections, all the vaccines still offer strong protection against hospitalizations and death, even as the extra-contagious delta variant burned through the country.And CDC’s advisers wrestled with whether people who didn’t really need boosters might be getting them, especially young, otherwise healthy adults whose only qualification was their job.Dr. Sarah Long of Drexel University voiced concerns about opening those people to rare but serious side effects from another dose if they already were adequately protected.“I have my own concerns that we appear to be recommending vaccines for people who I don’t think need it,” added Dr. Beth Bell of the University of Washington.But she stressed that the vaccines work and that moving forward with the recommendations makes sense for the sake of being clear and allowing flexibility when it comes to boosters.Despite the concerns by some members, the panels’ votes ended up being unanimous.The vast majority of the nearly 190 million Americans who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 have received the Pfizer or Moderna options, while J&amp;J recipients account for only about 15 million.___

🎥 COVID-19 vaccine: CDC panel backs expanded booster rollout

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. regulators on Wednesday signed off on extending COVID-19 boosters to Americans who got the Moderna or Johnson &amp; Johnson vaccine and said anyone eligible for an extra dose can get a brand different from the one they received initially.

The Food and Drug Administration’s decisions mark a big step toward expanding the U.S. booster campaign, which began with extra doses of the Pfizer vaccine last month. But before more people roll up their sleeves, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will consult an expert panel Thursday before finalizing official recommendations for who should get boosters and when.

The latest moves would expand by tens of millions the number of Americans eligible for boosters and formally allow “mixing and matching” of shots — making it simpler to get another dose, especially for people who had a side effect from one brand but still want the proven protection of vaccination.

Specifically, the FDA authorized a third Moderna shot for seniors and others at high risk from COVID-19 because of their health problems, jobs or living conditions — six months after their last shot. One big change: Moderna’s booster will be half the dose that’s used for the first two shots, based on company data showing that was plenty to rev up immunity again.

For J&amp;J’s single-shot vaccine, the FDA said all U.S. recipients, no matter their age, could get a second dose at least two months following their initial vaccination.

The FDA rulings differ because the vaccines are made differently, with different dosing schedules — and the J&amp;J vaccine has consistently shown a lower level of effectiveness than either of the two-shot Moderna and Pfizer vaccines.

As for mixing and matching, the FDA said it’s OK to use any brand for the booster regardless of which vaccination people got first. The interchangeability of the shots is expected to speed the booster campaign, particularly in nursing homes and other institutional settings where residents have received different shots over time.

FDA’s acting commissioner Dr. Janet Woodcock said the agency wanted to make its booster guidance as flexible as possible, given that many people don’t remember which brand they first received. In other cases, some people may want to try a different vaccine if they previously experienced common side effects like muscle ache or chills.

Still, regulators said it’s likely many people will stick with the same vaccine brand.

The decision was based on preliminary results from a government study of different booster combinations that showed an extra dose of any type revs up levels of virus-fighting antibodies. That study also showed recipients of the single-dose J&amp;J vaccination had a far bigger response if they got a full-strength Moderna booster or a Pfizer booster rather than a second J&amp;J shot. The study didn’t test the half-dose Moderna booster.

Health authorities stress that the priority still is getting first shots to about 65 million eligible Americans who remain unvaccinated. But the booster campaign is meant to shore up protection against the virus amid signs that vaccine effectiveness is waning against mild infections, even though all three brands continue to protect against hospitalization and death.

“Today the currently available data suggest waning immunity in some populations of fully vaccinated people,” Woodcock told reporters. “The availability of these authorized boosters is important for continued protection against COVID-19 disease.”

The Moderna booster decision essentially matches FDA’s ruling that high-risk groups are eligible for the Pfizer vaccine, which is made with the same technology.

FDA recommended that everyone who’d gotten the single-shot J&amp;J vaccine get a booster since it has consistently shown lower protection than its two-shot rivals. And several independent FDA advisers who backed the booster decision suggested J&amp;J’s vaccine should have originally been designed to require two doses.

Experts continue to debate the rationale of the booster campaign. Some warn that the U.S. government hasn’t clearly articulated the goals of boosters given that the shots continue to head off the worst effects of COVID-19, and wonder if the aim is to tamp down on virus spread by curbing, at least temporarily, milder infections.

FDA’s top vaccine official suggested regulators would move quickly to expand boosters to lower age groups, such as people in their 40s and 50s, if warranted.

“We are watching this very closely and will take action as appropriate to make sure that the maximum protection is provided to the population,” said FDA’s Dr. Peter Marks.

In August, the Biden administration announced plans for an across-the-board booster campaign aimed at all U.S. adults, but outside experts have repeatedly argued against such a sweeping effort.

On Thursday an influential panel convened by the CDC is expected to offer more specifics on who should get boosters and when. Their recommendations are subject to approval by the CDC director.

The vast majority of the nearly 190 million Americans who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 have received the Pfizer or Moderna options, while about 15 million have received the J&amp;J vaccine.

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. regulators on Wednesday signed off on extending COVID-19 boosters to Americans who got the Moderna or Johnson &amp; Johnson vaccine and said anyone eligible for an extra dose can get a brand different from the one they received initially.<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/rou7tf4vaUU?start=414" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>The Food and Drug Administration’s decisions mark a big step toward expanding the U.S. booster campaign, which began with extra doses of the Pfizer vaccine last month. But before more people roll up their sleeves, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will consult an expert panel Thursday before finalizing official recommendations for who should get boosters and when.The latest moves would expand by tens of millions the number of Americans eligible for boosters and formally allow “mixing and matching” of shots — making it simpler to get another dose, especially for people who had a side effect from one brand but still want the proven protection of vaccination.Specifically, the FDA authorized a third Moderna shot for seniors and others at high risk from COVID-19 because of their health problems, jobs or living conditions — six months after their last shot. One big change: Moderna’s booster will be half the dose that’s used for the first two shots, based on company data showing that was plenty to rev up immunity again.For J&amp;J’s single-shot vaccine, the FDA said all U.S. recipients, no matter their age, could get a second dose at least two months following their initial vaccination.The FDA rulings differ because the vaccines are made differently, with different dosing schedules — and the J&amp;J vaccine has consistently shown a lower level of effectiveness than either of the two-shot Moderna and Pfizer vaccines.As for mixing and matching, the FDA said it’s OK to use any brand for the booster regardless of which vaccination people got first. The interchangeability of the shots is expected to speed the booster campaign, particularly in nursing homes and other institutional settings where residents have received different shots over time.FDA’s acting commissioner Dr. Janet Woodcock said the agency wanted to make its booster guidance as flexible as possible, given that many people don’t remember which brand they first received. In other cases, some people may want to try a different vaccine if they previously experienced common side effects like muscle ache or chills.Still, regulators said it’s likely many people will stick with the same vaccine brand.The decision was based on preliminary results from a government study of different booster combinations that showed an extra dose of any type revs up levels of virus-fighting antibodies. That study also showed recipients of the single-dose J&amp;J vaccination had a far bigger response if they got a full-strength Moderna booster or a Pfizer booster rather than a second J&amp;J shot. The study didn’t test the half-dose Moderna booster.Health authorities stress that the priority still is getting first shots to about 65 million eligible Americans who remain unvaccinated. But the booster campaign is meant to shore up protection against the virus amid signs that vaccine effectiveness is waning against mild infections, even though all three brands continue to protect against hospitalization and death.“Today the currently available data suggest waning immunity in some populations of fully vaccinated people,” Woodcock told reporters. “The availability of these authorized boosters is important for continued protection against COVID-19 disease.”The Moderna booster decision essentially matches FDA’s ruling that high-risk groups are eligible for the Pfizer vaccine, which is made with the same technology.FDA recommended that everyone who’d gotten the single-shot J&amp;J vaccine get a booster since it has consistently shown lower protection than its two-shot rivals. And several independent FDA advisers who backed the booster decision suggested J&amp;J’s vaccine should have originally been designed to require two doses.Experts continue to debate the rationale of the booster campaign. Some warn that the U.S. government hasn’t clearly articulated the goals of boosters given that the shots continue to head off the worst effects of COVID-19, and wonder if the aim is to tamp down on virus spread by curbing, at least temporarily, milder infections.FDA’s top vaccine official suggested regulators would move quickly to expand boosters to lower age groups, such as people in their 40s and 50s, if warranted.“We are watching this very closely and will take action as appropriate to make sure that the maximum protection is provided to the population,” said FDA’s Dr. Peter Marks.In August, the Biden administration announced plans for an across-the-board booster campaign aimed at all U.S. adults, but outside experts have repeatedly argued against such a sweeping effort.On Thursday an influential panel convened by the CDC is expected to offer more specifics on who should get boosters and when. Their recommendations are subject to approval by the CDC director.The vast majority of the nearly 190 million Americans who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 have received the Pfizer or Moderna options, while about 15 million have received the J&amp;J vaccine.___

🎥 FDA answers questions after approval to mix COVID vaccines

Pfizer asked the U.S. government Thursday to allow use of its COVID-19 vaccine in children ages 5 to 11 -- and if regulators agree, shots could begin within a matter of weeks.

Many parents and pediatricians are clamoring for protection for children younger than 12, today’s age cutoff for the vaccine made by Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech. Not only can youngsters sometimes get seriously ill, but keeping them in school can be a challenge with the coronavirus still raging in poorly vaccinated communities.

Pfizer announced in a tweet that it had formally filed its application with the Food and Drug Administration.

Now the FDA will have to decide if there’s enough evidence that the shots are safe and will work for younger children like they do for teens and adults. An independent expert panel will publicly debate the evidence on Oct. 26.

One big change: Pfizer says its research shows the younger kids should get a third of the dose now given to everyone else. After their second dose, the 5- to 11-year-olds developed virus-fighting antibody levels just as strong as teens and young adults get from regular-strength shots.

While kids are at lower risk of severe illness or death than older people, COVID-19 does sometimes kill children and cases in youngsters have skyrocketed as the extra-contagious delta variant has swept through the country

“It makes me very happy that I am helping other kids get the vaccine,” said Sebastian Prybol, 8, of Raleigh, North Carolina. He is enrolled in Pfizer’s study at Duke University and doesn’t yet know if he received the vaccine or dummy shots.

“We do want to make sure that it is absolutely safe for them,” said Sebastian’s mother, Britni Prybol. But she said she will be “overjoyed” if the FDA clears the vaccine.

Pfizer studied the lower dose in 2,268 volunteers ages 5 to 11, and has said there were no serious side effects. The study isn’t large enough to detect any extremely rare side effects, such as the heart inflammation that sometimes occurs after the second dose of the regular-strength vaccine, mostly in young men.

If the FDA authorizes emergency use of the kid-sized doses, there’s another hurdle before vaccinations in this age group can begin. Advisers to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will decide whether to recommend the shots for youngsters, and the CDC will make a final decision.

By LAURAN NEERGAARD, Associated PressPfizer asked the U.S. government Thursday to allow use of its COVID-19 vaccine in children ages 5 to 11 -- and if regulators agree, shots could begin within a matter of weeks.Many parents and pediatricians are clamoring for protection for children younger than 12, today’s age cutoff for the vaccine made by Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech. Not only can youngsters sometimes get seriously ill, but keeping them in school can be a challenge with the coronavirus still raging in poorly vaccinated communities.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">UPDATE: We and <a href="https://twitter.com/BioNTech_Group?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BioNTech_Group</a> officially submitted our request to <a href="https://twitter.com/US_FDA?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@US_FDA</a> for Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) of our <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/COVID19?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#COVID19</a> vaccine in children 5 to &lt;12. <a href="https://t.co/72Z2HXlkOx">pic.twitter.com/72Z2HXlkOx</a>&mdash; Pfizer Inc. (@pfizer) <a href="https://twitter.com/pfizer/status/1446082946335715334?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 7, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Pfizer announced in a tweet that it had formally filed its application with the Food and Drug Administration.Now the FDA will have to decide if there’s enough evidence that the shots are safe and will work for younger children like they do for teens and adults. An independent expert panel will publicly debate the evidence on Oct. 26.One big change: Pfizer says its research shows the younger kids should get a third of the dose now given to everyone else. After their second dose, the 5- to 11-year-olds developed virus-fighting antibody levels just as strong as teens and young adults get from regular-strength shots.While kids are at lower risk of severe illness or death than older people, COVID-19 does sometimes kill children and cases in youngsters have skyrocketed as the extra-contagious delta variant has swept through the country“It makes me very happy that I am helping other kids get the vaccine,” said Sebastian Prybol, 8, of Raleigh, North Carolina. He is enrolled in Pfizer’s study at Duke University and doesn’t yet know if he received the vaccine or dummy shots.“We do want to make sure that it is absolutely safe for them,” said Sebastian’s mother, Britni Prybol. But she said she will be “overjoyed” if the FDA clears the vaccine.Pfizer studied the lower dose in 2,268 volunteers ages 5 to 11, and has said there were no serious side effects. The study isn’t large enough to detect any extremely rare side effects, such as the heart inflammation that sometimes occurs after the second dose of the regular-strength vaccine, mostly in young men.If the FDA authorizes emergency use of the kid-sized doses, there’s another hurdle before vaccinations in this age group can begin. Advisers to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will decide whether to recommend the shots for youngsters, and the CDC will make a final decision.___

Pfizer asks US to allow COVID shots for kids ages 5 to 11

WASHINGTON (AP) —The U.S. vaccination drive against COVID-19 stood on the verge of a major new phase as government advisers Thursday recommended booster doses of Pfizer’s vaccine for millions of older or otherwise vulnerable Americans — despite doubts the extra shots will do much to slow the pandemic.

Advisers to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said boosters should be offered to people 65 and older, nursing home residents and those ages 50 to 64 who have risky underlying health problems. The extra dose would be given once they are at least six months past their last Pfizer shot.

Deciding who else might get one was far tougher. While there is little evidence that younger people are in danger of waning immunity, the panel offered the option of a booster for those 18 to 49 who have chronic health problems and want one.

But the advisers refused to go further and open boosters to otherwise healthy front-line health care workers who aren’t at risk of severe illness but want to avoid even a mild infection.

“We might as well just say give it to everyone 18 and older. We have a very effective vaccine and it’s like saying, ‘It’s not working.’ It is working,” said Dr. Pablo Sanchez of Ohio State University, who helped block the broadest booster option.

Still, getting the unvaccinated their first shots remains the top priority, and the panel wrestled with whether the booster debate was distracting from that goal.

All three of the COVID-19 vaccines used in the U.S. still are highly protective against severe illness, hospitalization and death, even amid the spread of the extra-contagious delta variant. But only about 182 million Americans are fully vaccinated, just 55% of the population.

“We can give boosters to people, but that’s not really the answer to this pandemic,” said Dr. Helen Keipp Talbot of Vanderbilt University. “Hospitals are full because people are not vaccinated. We are declining care to people who deserve care because we are full of unvaccinated COVID-positive patients.”

Thursday’s decision represented a dramatic scaling back of the Biden administration plan, announced last month, to dispense boosters to nearly everyone to shore up their protection. Late Wednesday, the Food and Drug Administration, like the CDC, signed off on Pfizer boosters for a much more targeted slice of the American population than the White House envisioned.

It falls to the CDC to set final U.S. policy on who qualifies for the extra shot. The CDC usually follows its advisers’ recommendations. A final decision from the agency was expected later Thursday.

The booster plan marks an important shift in the nation’s vaccination drive. Britain and Israel are already giving a third round of shots over strong objections from the World Health Organization that poor countries don’t have enough for their initial doses.

CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky opened Thursday’s meeting by stressing that vaccinating the unvaccinated remains the top goal “here in America and around the world.”

Walensky acknowledged that the data on who really needs a booster right away “are not perfect.” “Yet collectively they form a picture for us,” she said, “and they are what we have in this moment to make a decision about the next stage in this pandemic.”

The CDC panel stressed its recommendations will be changed if new evidence shows more people need a booster.

The CDC advisers expressed concern over the millions more Americans who received Moderna or Johnson &amp; Johnson shots early in the vaccine rollout. The government still hasn’t considered boosters for those brands and has no data on whether it’s safe or effective to mix-and-match and give those people a Pfizer shot.

“I just don’t understand how later this afternoon we can say to people 65 and older you’re at risk for severe illness and death but only half of you can protect yourselves right now,” said Dr. Sarah Long of Drexel University.

About 26 million Americans got their last Pfizer dose at least six months ago, about half of whom are 65 or older. It’s not clear how many more would meet the CDC panel’s initial booster qualifications.

CDC data shows the vaccines still offer strong protection for all ages, but there is a slight drop among the oldest adults. And immunity against milder infection appears to be waning months after people’s initial immunization.

For most people, if you’re not in a group recommended for a booster, “it’s really because we think you’re well-protected,” said Dr. Matthew Daley of Kaiser Permanente Colorado. “This isn’t about who deserves a booster, but who needs a booster.”

Among people who stand to benefit from a booster, there are few risks, the CDC concluded. Serious side effects from the first two Pfizer doses are exceedingly rare, including heart inflammation that sometimes occurs in younger men. Data from Israel, which has given nearly 3 million people — mostly 60 and older — a third Pfizer dose, has uncovered no red flags.

The panelists also wrestled with how to even tell when a booster is needed. While an extra dose revs up numbers of virus-fighting antibodies, those naturally wane over time and no one knows how long the antibody boost from a third Pfizer dose will last -- or how much protection it really adds, since the immune system also forms additional defenses after vaccination.

The U.S. has already authorized third doses of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines for certain people with weakened immune systems, such as cancer patients and transplant recipients. Other Americans, healthy or not, have managed to get boosters, in some cases simply by asking.

WASHINGTON (AP) —The U.S. vaccination drive against COVID-19 stood on the verge of a major new phase as government advisers Thursday recommended booster doses of Pfizer’s vaccine for millions of older or otherwise vulnerable Americans — despite doubts the extra shots will do much to slow the pandemic.Advisers to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said boosters should be offered to people 65 and older, nursing home residents and those ages 50 to 64 who have risky underlying health problems. The extra dose would be given once they are at least six months past their last Pfizer shot.Deciding who else might get one was far tougher. While there is little evidence that younger people are in danger of waning immunity, the panel offered the option of a booster for those 18 to 49 who have chronic health problems and want one.But the advisers refused to go further and open boosters to otherwise healthy front-line health care workers who aren’t at risk of severe illness but want to avoid even a mild infection.“We might as well just say give it to everyone 18 and older. We have a very effective vaccine and it’s like saying, ‘It’s not working.’ It is working,” said Dr. Pablo Sanchez of Ohio State University, who helped block the broadest booster option.Still, getting the unvaccinated their first shots remains the top priority, and the panel wrestled with whether the booster debate was distracting from that goal.All three of the COVID-19 vaccines used in the U.S. still are highly protective against severe illness, hospitalization and death, even amid the spread of the extra-contagious delta variant. But only about 182 million Americans are fully vaccinated, just 55% of the population.“We can give boosters to people, but that’s not really the answer to this pandemic,” said Dr. Helen Keipp Talbot of Vanderbilt University. “Hospitals are full because people are not vaccinated. We are declining care to people who deserve care because we are full of unvaccinated COVID-positive patients.”Thursday’s decision represented a dramatic scaling back of the Biden administration plan, announced last month, to dispense boosters to nearly everyone to shore up their protection. Late Wednesday, the Food and Drug Administration, like the CDC, signed off on Pfizer boosters for a much more targeted slice of the American population than the White House envisioned.It falls to the CDC to set final U.S. policy on who qualifies for the extra shot. The CDC usually follows its advisers’ recommendations. A final decision from the agency was expected later Thursday.The booster plan marks an important shift in the nation’s vaccination drive. Britain and Israel are already giving a third round of shots over strong objections from the World Health Organization that poor countries don’t have enough for their initial doses.CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky opened Thursday’s meeting by stressing that vaccinating the unvaccinated remains the top goal “here in America and around the world.”Walensky acknowledged that the data on who really needs a booster right away “are not perfect.” “Yet collectively they form a picture for us,” she said, “and they are what we have in this moment to make a decision about the next stage in this pandemic.”The CDC panel stressed its recommendations will be changed if new evidence shows more people need a booster.The CDC advisers expressed concern over the millions more Americans who received Moderna or Johnson &amp; Johnson shots early in the vaccine rollout. The government still hasn’t considered boosters for those brands and has no data on whether it’s safe or effective to mix-and-match and give those people a Pfizer shot.“I just don’t understand how later this afternoon we can say to people 65 and older you’re at risk for severe illness and death but only half of you can protect yourselves right now,” said Dr. Sarah Long of Drexel University.About 26 million Americans got their last Pfizer dose at least six months ago, about half of whom are 65 or older. It’s not clear how many more would meet the CDC panel’s initial booster qualifications.CDC data shows the vaccines still offer strong protection for all ages, but there is a slight drop among the oldest adults. And immunity against milder infection appears to be waning months after people’s initial immunization.For most people, if you’re not in a group recommended for a booster, “it’s really because we think you’re well-protected,” said Dr. Matthew Daley of Kaiser Permanente Colorado. “This isn’t about who deserves a booster, but who needs a booster.”Among people who stand to benefit from a booster, there are few risks, the CDC concluded. Serious side effects from the first two Pfizer doses are exceedingly rare, including heart inflammation that sometimes occurs in younger men. Data from Israel, which has given nearly 3 million people — mostly 60 and older — a third Pfizer dose, has uncovered no red flags.The panelists also wrestled with how to even tell when a booster is needed. While an extra dose revs up numbers of virus-fighting antibodies, those naturally wane over time and no one knows how long the antibody boost from a third Pfizer dose will last -- or how much protection it really adds, since the immune system also forms additional defenses after vaccination.The U.S. has already authorized third doses of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines for certain people with weakened immune systems, such as cancer patients and transplant recipients. Other Americans, healthy or not, have managed to get boosters, in some cases simply by asking.___

Despite concern, US sets stage for COVID booster shots 


HUTCHINSON,
Kan. — 
Reno County Health Department data analyst D.J. Gering notes that the number experts are saying we'll need for herd immunity has changed from earlier in the pandemic.

"During the Alpha variant, the original COVID variant, it was suspected to be around 60%," Gering said Wednesday. That included, also, people who have been unfortunate enough to be infected with COVID-19. I do believe that rate is higher now. From most research I've read, that rate is probably around 80%."

According to Wednesday numbers from the county dashboard, 9,146 people have had COVID-19 and 29,190 have had at least one dose of vaccine. If you add those two numbers together, you get 38,336 of 62,450, or 61.4%. 

"If you look at some of the nationwide trends, there are some large metropolitan areas that look like right now, they may have peaked," Gering said. "They are now on the downward trend and that's probably due to high infection rates plus the high vaccination rates. Large metro areas tend to have a higher vaccination rate. As soon as you get into more rural areas, it doesn't look like they've peaked yet."

"We're not there yet to the point where we'll peak," Gering said. "It's possible near the end of September we can reevaluate that. We may be peaking around the end of September, but it may go into October, as well."

An important X factor is the Kansas State Fair. There is no way to compare to last year as far as rate of spread, because the event didn't happen, so it remains to be seen what impact that could have.

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By
NICK GOSNELL
Hutch
Post
HUTCHINSON,
Kan. — 
Reno County Health Department data analyst D.J. Gering notes that the number experts are saying we'll need for herd immunity has changed from earlier in the pandemic."During the Alpha variant, the original COVID variant, it was suspected to be around 60%," Gering said Wednesday. That included, also, people who have been unfortunate enough to be infected with COVID-19. I do believe that rate is higher now. From most research I've read, that rate is probably around 80%."According to Wednesday numbers from the county dashboard, 9,146 people have had COVID-19 and 29,190 have had at least one dose of vaccine. If you add those two numbers together, you get 38,336 of 62,450, or 61.4%. "If you look at some of the nationwide trends, there are some large metropolitan areas that look like right now, they may have peaked," Gering said. "They are now on the downward trend and that's probably due to high infection rates plus the high vaccination rates. Large metro areas tend to have a higher vaccination rate. As soon as you get into more rural areas, it doesn't look like they've peaked yet."Reno County data does provide some hope."We're not there yet to the point where we'll peak," Gering said. "It's possible near the end of September we can reevaluate that. We may be peaking around the end of September, but it may go into October, as well."An important X factor is the Kansas State Fair. There is no way to compare to last year as far as rate of spread, because the event didn't happen, so it remains to be seen what impact that could have.

Coronavirus Update