Staff are burning out in a fight that is supposed to be at its end.
Some health professionals believe that the U.S. could learn from Missouri's situation.
"If people in other parts of the country look to us and say, 'No thanks,' and they are getting vaccined, that is great," Erik Frederick, chief administrator at Mercy Hospital Springfield, said. The hospital has been overwhelmed with COVID-19 patients since the virus was first identified in India. "We will be a canary."
The state is now the nation's leader in new COVID-19 infection rates. This surge is largely occurring in a politically conservative farm region in the north of the state. It also includes Springfield and Branson. Springfield and Branson are the capitals of country music in the Ozark Mountains, where large crowds are again at the theaters and other attractions.
Over 53% of Americans have had at least one shot. However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that only 40% of southern and northern Missouri counties have received more than 40 percent. Only 13% of the counties are at this level.
Frederick stated that although the number of cases is still below its winter highs in southwest Missouri, the trajectory is more steep than in previous surges. According to county statistics, Tuesday saw 153 COVID-19 patients being admitted at Mercy and Cox Health in Springfield, an increase of 31 from a month ago.
Frederick noted that these patients are younger than ever before in the pandemic. Between 60% and 65% of the ICU's over the weekend at Mercy had patients under 40. Frederick also said that younger adults are less likely to get vaccinated, while some are even pregnant.
As the rest of the country struggles to beat the pandemic, he is now hiring respiratory therapists and nurses to travel with him.
"It was last year that it was health care heroes. Everyone was celebrating, bringing food to hospital, doing prayer vigils, etc. Now everyone is like, The lake is open. He said, "Let's go."
The state also has warning signs: Arkansas reported Tuesday its largest one-day increase in cases in three months. Low vaccination rates are another problem in the state.
The delta variant is also becoming a concern due to the rising rate of lagging rates, especially among young adults.
According to the CDC Tuesday, more than 20% of all new COVID-19 cases in the U.S. are now caused by the mutant version. This figure has doubled in two weeks. It is responsible in half the new cases in a region that includes Missouri and Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska as well as Colorado, Montana, North Dakota. South Dakota, Utah, Wyoming, and Colorado.
Dr. Anthony Fauci is the country's leading infectious disease expert. He stated that the delta variant poses the greatest threat to the United States' efforts to eradicate COVID-19. He stated that there is "real danger" of local spikes, like the one seen in Missouri, in areas with high levels of vaccine resistance.
Administration officials are intensifying efforts to vavacinate Americans aged 18-26 to counter this threat. They have been the least likely to receive the shot when it is available.
Because of the rapid spread and high vaccination rates in Britain, the United States has delayed lifting restrictions on socializing in England. Another success story in vaccination is Israel. They are tightening travel regulations.
Missouri's Republican Governor. Mike Parson believes it is better for people to assume "personal responsibility" rather than to enact restrictions.
Missouri has never had a mandate for masks, and Parson last week signeda law limiting public health restrictions and barring governments requiring proof that they have been vaccinated to use public facilities.
Lisa Cox, Missouri Health Department spokesperson, stated that the agency encourages people to get vaccinated. However she admitted that Missourians are skeptical and this is the Show-Me State.
Frederick stated that some people in heavily Republican states are opposed to the vaccine because they feel like Democrats are pushing it.
He said, "I keep telling people that while we are fighting with one another, this thing is picking up us one by one." It doesn't take sides. It does not have any political affiliation. It is not red. It is not even blue. It is a virus. We can do serious damage to our community if we don’t take precautions.
Steve Edwards, CEO at Cox Health, complained in a Tweet that although many major news outlets had contacted the hospital regarding the increase in cases, Fox News was not.
He tweeted that Fox "is the most well-known cable news station in our area. You can help educate about Delta, vaccines, and can save lives."
Lisa Meeks, 49, from Springfield is one of those who hasn't had their vaccines. She stated that she is a Christian, and that God has given her an immune system that is strong.
She said that "as of right now nobody knows anything short term or long term about these vaccines" despite months-long real-world evidence that they are safe and effective. "So people are basically now the lab rats."
A Mother's Brewing Co. offer of free beer for anyone who gets vaccinated at Springfield's clinics attracted a disappointing 20-50 people each time.
Jeff Schrag, founder and owner of Mother's Brewing, said that "We keep trying." It is a game where inches are everything.
The predominant strain of the virus is now the delta variant, as immunizations are slowing down. Aaron Schekorra, spokesperson for the Springfield Greene County Health Department, stated that 93% of random samples of cases are being sent to the county for analysis. This is up from 70% just three weeks ago.
He stated that the virus was also spread by unvaccinated people who attended graduation ceremonies and Memorial Day celebrations. These events occurred just as the community had lifted its mandate to remove its mask.
He said that his concern was that it is a preview for what's to come in other areas of the country with lower vaccination rates.
