By BRENT MARTIN
St. Joseph Post
Mosaic Life Care says it is monitoring the coronavirus pandemic, even as the number of new cases and hospitalizations have fallen drastically.
It is especially monitoring variants of COVID-19.
Mosaic Chief Medical Officer Dr. Davin Turner says state officials have informed Mosaic all four variants have been detected in Missouri.
“They have seen the four different variants in the state in very small numbers, but the state continues to monitor,” Turner tells reporters during a news conference.
The Centers for Disease Control reports four variants, one first discovered in the United Kingdom, one in South Africa, one in Brazil, and the fourth in California.
Mosaic announced on Friday it had no COVID-19 patients in its system for 48 hours; none in St. Joseph, none in Maryville, and none in Albany.
The St. Joseph Health Department late Friday afternoon reported it had recorded no new cases of the coronavirus in Buchanan County. The health department does not report during the weekend.
Andrew County also reported no new cases.
Buchanan County has recorded a total of 10,302 COVID-19 cases since the pandemic began, resulting in 180 deaths. Andrew County has reported a total of 2,041 cases with 21 deaths. Doniphan County, Kansas has reported a total of 965 cases.
St. Joseph health officials report 15,560 Buchanan County residents have initiated their coronavirus vaccination with 10,440 completing both the first and second shot of either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine for a vaccination rate of 17.8%, lagging behind the state rate of 33.3%.
Mosaic Life Care is winding down its COVID-19 vaccination clinic in the old Gordman’s store at East Hills Mall, but officials assure the public there will continue to be access to vaccines.
Turner says that though the clinic at East Hills Mall will no longer be giving the first dose of the vaccine, it will complete the two-dose protocol for every patient. He says those who haven’t received any vaccine will have an opportunity to get vaccinated at one of Mosaic’s regular clinics.
“So, they will have access to vaccine,” Turner says, adding sign-ups at East Hills clinic have dropped so low they can be accommodated in the regular clinics. He urges residents to sign up at the Mosaic clinics. “If you go on and sign up, basically you’re signing up and you’re going to get it the same week, if not the very next day.”
Turner says Mosaic could reconsider its decision to close the clinic if the community sees a spike in COVID-19 cases.
Turner does worry the decision to suspend use of the Johnson and Johnson coronavirus vaccine will undermine faith in the vaccination process. Turner says he understands the CDC wants to be cautious in wake of allegations those who received the Johnson and Johnson vaccine suffered blood clots.
“However, there have been millions and millions and millions, tens of millions of doses, of these vaccines given whether it be J&J, whether it be Pfizer or whether it be Moderna. And there have been very, very, very few severe adverse events,” according to Turner.
Turner says most people who have received the coronavirus vaccine only have mild adverse reactions.
Mosaic will be closing its clinic at East Hills Mall once everyone who received their first shot there can get their second.