COVID-19 One Year Later

According to Dartmouth University's COVID-19 tracking project on this date one year ago, Joplin was ranked 21st in the U.S. for the highest COVID-19 weekly case growth rate in the country. Nearby Springdale and Fort Smith, Arkansas were ranked first and second. Although the city's mass mandates have expired and the health orders rescinded, members of the Joplin City Council are still debating whether to move in the next phase of the COVID-19 response and recovery plan. Council member Chuck Comple speaking at Monday Night City Council meeting says now is not the time as COVID-19 cases are rising again. Sir, I absolutely disagree with that move. In the last week we've gone from three Joplin residents to 10 Joplin residents in hospitals and we've gone from 12 patients to 40 patients area-wide in our hospitals. So I think the timing on that would be absolutely horrible. COVID-19 vaccine shots are available today at the Joplin Health Department from 9 a.m. until 1130 and from 130 p.m. until four. The vaccines are free and no appointment is

required. For KRPS, I'm Fred Fletcher-Fierro in Web City.