By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostMosaic Life Care reports a sharp increase in COVID-19
hospitalizations.Mosaic, Tuesday morning, reports 82 coronavirus patients in
its St. Joseph hospital and five at Maryville. It reported 74 COVID-19 patients in St. Joseph Monday.Mosaic Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Davin Turner, says the jump
in new cases in Buchanan County and hospitalizations in St. Joseph only
emphasize the need to keep up with safety precautions.“So, the masks, though inconvenient, are an inexpensive way to
hopefully protect us, protect our loved ones, and hopefully protect those that
we encounter,” Turner tells reporters during a Zoom call. “Yes, the numbers are
increasing. We believe the numbers would be higher if we were not wearing
masks.”Turner also advises residents to wash their hands thoroughly
and to maintain social distance in an effort to curb COVID-19.St.
Joseph health officials report 66 new cases of COVID-19 on Monday with an
additional death.Officials
say a man in his 70’s with underlying health issues died of COVID-19.Buchanan
County reports 4,528 total cases of COVID-19 since the pandemic began. Buchanan
County has recorded 53 deaths.Turner strikes a cautionary tone when discussing upcoming
family get-togethers.“Really, use common sense about getting your family together
in this time of giving thanks and of coming together,” Turner says. “But we
need to be certainly realistic and cautious about how big those functions are. So,
we would just recommend that you use good judgment, talk with your family, put
good plans together to keep everyone safe.”

COVID hospitalizations continue to rise in St. Joseph