The Springfield-Greene County Health Department is reporting 12 new deaths Tuesday from COVID-19.
The death toll has now passed 100 since the pandemic began.
Here’s the health department’s news release:
The Springfield-Greene County Health Department is saddened to announce the deaths of 12 Greene County residents from COVID-19.
Our community lost:
- A man in his 70s
- A man in his 80s
- A man in his 80s
- A man in his 80s
- A man in his 80s
- A woman in her 80s
- A woman in her 80s
- A woman in her 80s
- A woman in her 80s
- A woman in her 90s
- A woman in her 90s
- A woman in her 90s
The Health Department extends our condolences to everyone impacted by these losses.
Twenty-four deaths have been reported by the Health Department in the first six days of October. A total of 101 Greene County residents have died from COVID-19.
“The families of 101 people are mourning the loss of a loved one who likely had many healthy years ahead of them. Behind each of these numbers is someone’s mother, father or grandparent,” stated Director of Health Clay Goddard. “As the number of deaths caused by this virus continues to climb, we must never lose sight of the solemn role we all play to protect each other from this deadly disease. Wear a mask, wash your hands, watch your distance and stay home if you are sick.”
Nobody is immune to COVID-19—we are all vulnerable to it, but we know some will suffer much more severe outcomes. We share a collective responsibility to fight this disease that will require patience, diligence and sacrifice.
Who is at risk
Like so many of us, these individuals had an underlying health condition that put them or may have put them at increased risk of severe outcomes from COVID-19.
Having an underlying health condition should not be interpreted as an individual being sick, feeble or infirm.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has identified two groups at higher risk for severe health outcomes from COVID-19: older adults and people with underlying health conditions.
Underlying health conditions can impact anyone at any age and include common diagnoses that many Greene County residents live with. For instance:
- 16% of Greene County residents are 65 or older,
- 33% are considered obese and
- 11% have asthma
Other health conditions identified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as include, but are not limited to:
- Cancer
- Chronic kidney disease
- Lung disease
- Obesity
- Serious heart conditions
- Diabetes
- Pregnancy
A full list of conditions can be viewed on the CDC’s website.
Long-term care in Greene County
The individuals who died from COVID-19 were associated with long-term care facilities.
Long-term care facilities are required to report a positive case among staff or residents to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services within 24 hours so guidance can be provided on comprehensive testing, isolation and quarantine instructions, personal protective equipment and staffing. Guidance for long-term care facilities can be found here.
##
Inquiries from the public can be made by contacting the Health Department’s call center at (417) 874-1211 or by email at coronavirus@springfieldmo.gov.
