The Grundy County Commission re-appointed Grundy County Health Department Administrator Elizabeth Gibson as the county health officer during its meeting Tuesday morning.
The annual appointment is required by Missouri state statute, which states that the director of the public health center shall be appointed as the county health director. Ms. Gibson answered questions posed by the commission this morning, including why a mass COVID-19 vaccination clinic has not been held in Grundy County. Ms. Gibson said the State Emergency Management Agency is selecting the sites in each region. Grundy County is in Region H and any resident of Grundy County who is eligible (through age, health status, etc.) can get a vaccine at the regional clinics. She said Grundy County has 4 percent of the state’s population and receives 4 percent of the vaccine. She told commissioners that the county does receive some vaccine to be given locally to county residents, but noted, for instance, that the health department recently received 100 doses, with 400 people on the waiting list. GCHD staff is helping with regional vaccines in the area and conducting second dose clinics at the local health department. Ms. Gibson said that she expects that Grundy County will eventually get a mass vaccination clinic. In the meantime, Mrs. Gibson said she has received confirmation of vaccine shipments for next week and staff will continue contacting residents from the wait list, however appointments will be available for individuals in the open tiers. Persons may call 359-4196 to schedule an appointment.
As of Thursday morning, Mrs. Gibson reported that there are only four active COVID-19 cases in Grundy County, up only one from Monday, with 815 confirmed cases and 241 probable cases recorded since last March, for a total of 1,056 since the pandemic began. Grundy County has recorded 40 COVID-related deaths.
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