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01.04.22
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Past issues are available in the Media Library.
Staff Contact: Mat Reidhead or Jackie Gatz
With nearly 2,700 patients currently hospitalized with COVID-19, Missouri is rapidly approaching the previous record surge of 2,862 patients set on Dec. 22, 2020. At the beginning of the new year, only one in five inpatient beds and ICU beds were available for new patients in Missouri as the rapidly spreading Omicron and residual Delta variants push confirmed cases toward record levels. Compared to the surge experienced last winter, influenza and staffing shortages are compounding the pressure on Missouri’s health care system this winter. Early detection syndromic surveillance data from DHSS reveal volumes of patients presenting to EDs with COVID-19-like illness are 35% higher compared to last year, while patients presenting with influenza-like illness are 456% higher this year compared to last.
Health care resources are finite and our system could be overwhelmed by an Omicron- and influenza-driven surge. All Missourians have a stake in helping maintain access to hospital care. A severe surge could limit access to lifesaving treatments and emergency care. Masking, hand hygiene and physical distancing will reduce infection. Vaccination — and boosters for vaccinated Missourians — will protect individuals and communities.
Staff Contact: Jane Drummond or Sarah Willson
With the expiration of the state of emergency declaration, numerous regulatory waivers have lapsed effective Jan. 1. MHA updated its waiver tracker accordingly. Staff continue to advocate for continuation of certain key waivers and will revise the waiver tracker as appropriate.
Staff Contact: Kara Amann-Kale or Keri Barclay
Yesterday, the FDA updated the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine booster dose EUA with the following details.
The statewide standing orders have not been updated to reflect these changes. Facilities should await further guidance from the CDC and updated standing orders from DHSS, if applicable, before making the above changes to vaccination programs.
The CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices will meet at noon Wednesday, Jan. 5, for discussion.
Staff Contact: Sarah Willson
DHSS filed an emergency rule requiring all testing results for COVID-19, whether negative or positive, to be reported to the department. During the state of emergency, the department had a waiver in place requiring the reporting of all test results to the agency. When the declaration and subsequent waivers expired, the department filed the emergency amendment. Hospitals should continue reporting positive and negative test results to DHSS. The emergency rule is effective Tuesday, Jan. 18.
Staff Contact: Kara Amann-Kale or Keri Barclay
Given the increase in COVID-19 testing and the need for support, the CDC, ASPR, and the HHS Testing and Diagnostics Workgroup offer various information and programs to partners interested in federal government support for testing. For quick reference to this information, MHA compiled a resource on its website.
In research published by the CDC, findings show that vaccination and other prevention strategies are important to protect children from COVID-19, particularly children with obesity and other underlying health conditions.