(Missouri Independent) – The Missouri House gave first-round approval Tuesday to a package of budget bills spending $46.2 billion, with Republicans defeating repeated Democratic efforts to tap the state’s record surplus. The budget includes boosts to higher education funding, both for institutions and scholarships, as well as funding one of last year’s most controversial issues, Medicaid […]
Tag: vaccination
Wright Memorial Physicians’ Group now scheduling second Moderna vaccination boosters
Wright Memorial Physicians’ Group in Trenton announced they are now scheduling a second Moderna COVID-19 vaccination booster for certain groups of people. Second booster clinics will begin on Friday, April 8, and will be scheduled for each Friday going forward. To be eligible to receive the second Moderna booster at this time, it must be […]
Biden administration to halt pandemic policy blocking migrants who claim asylum
(Missouri Independent) – The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced Friday that the government will terminate a Trump-era policy that prevented migrants from claiming asylum during a health crisis, including the coronavirus pandemic. The policy will end on May 23, the CDC wrote in its notice. “There is no longer a serious danger that the […]
With COVID-19 infection rates declining, Wright Memorial and Hedrick Medical Center relax visitor guidelines
With the decline in COVID-19 infection rates, Saint Luke’s Health System, including Hedrick Medical Center in Chillicothe and Wright Memorial Hospital in Trenton, is relaxing some visitor guidelines across the health system. These guidelines are consistent with CDC and OSHA guidelines. Beginning Wednesday, March 16, Saint Luke’s will transition to Level 2 protocols, which include […]
Missouri policy allows pharmacists to provide easier access to free or low-cost COVID-19 testing
A standing order was issued Tuesday by Missouri’s State Epidemiologist, Dr. George Turabelidze, which entitles individuals to receive coverage for purchased tests for SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. This policy authorizes Missouri pharmacies to charge an individual’s insurance carrier, whether it is private insurance, Medicaid, or Medicare coverage, for COVID-19 testing. “Those without a healthcare […]
Two area health departments report on new COVID-19 cases
The Livingston County Health Center reports five COVID-19 cases have been added since March 4th, raising the total to 3,382. The number of active cases went down by 22 to 11. Five COVID-19 cases have been added for Daviess County since March 2nd. The health department reports 1,655 cases total. The number of active cases […]
White House wants $10 billion for Ukraine aid, $22.5 billion for more COVID help
(Missouri Independent) – The Biden administration is asking Congress to provide $10 billion in assistance to Ukraine and $22.5 billion in COVID-19 funding on a fast timeline — within the next week. White House acting budget director Shalanda Young wrote in a letter to lawmakers that this likely won’t be the last emergency funding request for either […]
Two COVID-related deaths reported for Harrison County, 1 in Daviess County
Two COVID-19-related deaths have been added for Harrison County. The county’s COVID-19 dashboard shows 33 deaths total had been reported as of March 1st. The total number of cases remained at 1,998, and the number of active cases dropped by one to zero. An additional COVID-19-related death has been reported for Daviess County. The health […]
Grundy and Sullivan counties report on new cases of COVID-19
Twenty-one COVID-19 cases have been added in Grundy County in the past seven days, raising the total to 2,655. The Grundy County Health Department reports the number of new cases is down across the region. There has also been a decline in the number of active cases. The number of active cases decreased by 22 […]
North 65 Center to host blood drive
A blood drive will be held at the North 65 Center of Trenton next week. The Community Blood Center will accept blood donations on March 1st from noon to 6 o’clock. Masks are required for all donors regardless of COVID-19 vaccination status. Appointments are preferred. Schedule an appointment at this link, and enter the group […]
Why millions on Medicaid are at risk of losing coverage in the months ahead
(Missouri Independent) – This story was originally published by Kaiser Health News. The Biden administration and state officials are bracing for a great unwinding: Millions of people losing their Medicaid benefits when the pandemic health emergency ends. Some might sign up for different insurance. Many others are bound to get lost in the transition. State Medicaid […]
Missouri health centers continue to vaccinate, despite staffing shortages
As Community Health Centers (CHCs) mark a year of administering vaccines to underserved Missourians, the needs of the pandemic have strained their services. More than 40% of centers report they do not have enough staff to keep up the vaccination pace. Rodney Hummer, vice president of strategy for the Missouri Primary Care Association and a registered nurse, […]
CDC preps guidance for governors on relaxing COVID rules, but states forge ahead
(Missouri Independent) – The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is preparing guidance for governors about when to relax masking and other measures meant to slow the spread of COVID-19 but doesn’t want to release those instructions just yet. Director Rochelle Walensky said Wednesday that it’s too soon to begin rolling backmasking and other public […]
Three area health departments report on new cases of COVID-19
The Livingston County Health Center reports a COVID-19-related death has been added, bringing the total number of deaths from the virus to date to 87. Twenty-seven cases have been added since February 4th, making that total 3,285. The number of active cases went down by 96 to 128. The Linn County Health Department February 8th […]
Governor Mike Parson’s pick to lead state health department rejected by Missouri Senate
(Missouri Independent) – The Missouri Senate refused to confirm Donald Kauerauf as Gov. Mike Parson’s health director on Tuesday, leaving Kauerauf banned from the position for life. Hours later, Parson named Richard Moore, the Department of Health and Senior Services’ general counsel, as acting director of the agency. He slammed senators who blocked Kauerauf’s nomination […]
Daviess County reports 2 COVID-related deaths; four health departments report on new cases of COVID-19
Two COVID-19-related deaths have been added for Daviess County, raising the total to 28. The health department February 1st reported the deaths involved residents who were 44 to 90 years old, and they were all unvaccinated. Fifty-two COVID-19 cases had been added since January 26th, bringing that total to 1,556. The number of active cases […]
Anti-vaccine protesters rally against Senate confirmation of Missouri health director
(Missouri Independent) – State health director Donald Kauerauf adamantly spoke against mandating face masks and COVID-19 vaccines during a hearing Monday, as anti-vaccination demonstrators protested his confirmation in the halls outside. While protesters chanted outside the Capitol hearing room, senators inside grilled Kauerauf for nearly two hours on his views on how best to mitigate […]
Daviess County Health Department to hold COVID-19 vaccine clinics for children and adults
COVID-19 vaccination clinics will be held in Gallatin for children and adults. The Daviess County Health Department will offer the children’s Pfizer vaccine on January 31st from 1 to 4 o’clock. The vaccine will be available to individuals five to 11 years old by appointment. The Daviess County Health Department and Main Street Pharmacy will […]
Daviess County reports four COVID-related deaths; Sullivan County reports six new cases of COVID-19
Four COVID-19-related deaths have been added for Daviess County. The health department reports the total as 26. They were ages 44 to 90 and were all unvaccinated. Cases have increased by 93 since January 18th, bringing that total to 1,504. The number of active cases went down by 16 to 60. Nineteen of the active […]