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TUESDAY UPDATES: South African coronavirus variant found in adult living in Jackson County
ABC 17 News
The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services is reporting the first confirmation of the South African coronavirus variant in the state was found in a Jackson County resident.
Officials confirmed the variant through the whole genome sequencing conducted through a commercial laboratory.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows 374 cases of the South African variant have been reported to the CDC in the United States as of April 5.
Officials report this variant is not known to cause more severe disease and it is not clear whether it spreads more readily than other strains. Although this strain can reduce the effectiveness of some vaccines, vaccines still provide strong protection against severe illness and death.
COLUMBIA - Missouri will start Phase 3 of the COVID-19 vaccination plan this Friday. Phase 3 includes all adult Missouri residents, approximately 1.1 million Missourians.Â
Columbia/Boone County Department of Public Health and Human Services spokesperson Sara Humm said the department is looking forward to the process of getting vaccinated to be easier overall.  One of the things that will be really helpful is that, you know, we won t have to look at the lists of the tiers and phases to figure out where they fit into the phase and the tier system, Humm said. It ll be much easier to just say everyone is eligible.
MONDAY UPDATES: Boone County reports nearly a third in the county have first vaccination dose
The Columbia/Boone County Department of Public Health and Human Services is reporting 19 new COVID-19 cases.
There are currently 62 active cases in the county.
The county now has a reported total number of COVID-19 cases of 17,951.
The county has reported the total number of cases removed from isolation is 17,804.
The county is reporting three Boone County residents are in local hospitals due to coronavirus.
The State of Missouri coronavirus vaccine dashboard is reporting that 59,128 residents have received their first dose in Boone County.
The county has the largest percentage of people in Mid-Missouri that have received at least one dose of the vaccine with 32.8%.
Missouriâs general municipal Election Day is here, and county clerks across the state are ready for voters. Polling places will open at 6 a.m. for Missourians to cast their ballots for local leaders.
We have posted voter guides for Boone, Cole and Callaway counties breaking down the candidates and issues on the ballot. Â
Missouri will start Phase 3 of the COVID-19 vaccination plan this Friday. Phase 3 includes all adult Missouri residents, approximately 1.1 million Missourians.Â
Columbia/Boone County Department of Public Health and Human Services spokesperson Sara Humm said the department is looking forward to the process of getting vaccinated to be easier overall.