The number of active cases of Covid-19 in Maries County hit a pandemic high last week when the Phelps-Maries County Health Department reported on Jan. 12 the active case number of 56.

This is the highest the virus numbers have climbed since the summer of 2021 when on July 29 and health department reported 53 active cases. This is more than double the number of active cases reported by the health department on Jan. 5 when the active cases were 25. 

The positivity rate for Maries County was reported at 20.61 percent.

For 2022, the total deaths reported to the health department is 2. The vaccination rate for the county is 41.1 percent.

The health department reported historical Covid-19 data for Maries County. In 2020, there were 661 cases of the virus and 14 deaths. In 2021 there were 727 cases and 11 deaths. 

Phelps Health Hospital in Rolla on Jan. 12 reported 25 current Covid-19 inpatients, 10 Covid-19 deaths in January, and 83 percent of the current Covid-19 inpatients are people who are unvaccinated. The hospital reported both the inpatient current status and the ICU current status are red, meaning the hospital is at capacity. 

To help slow the spread of Covid-19 in our communities, Phelps Health recommends people get vaccinated, wear a mask over your nose and mouth while in public places, stay six feet away from others, avoid large social gatherings, test to avoid spreading to others, wash hands with soap and water or use hand sanitizer, and stay home if you are experiencing Covid-19 symptoms.