Ripley County COVID-19 Cases Surpass 100 In January

The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Ripley County has surpassed 100 so far in January, according to the Ripley County Health Center.

Seven positive cases were reported Wednesday bringing the total number to 118 since Jan. 1. The county has recorded one COVID-related death in 2021, according to the health center. During 2020, the county saw 722 positive cases and 11 deaths.

A drive-thru COVID-19 vaccine event will be held Friday, Jan. 22, in Poplar Bluff, the first such event for Southeast Missouri. It will allow nearly 2,000 Missouri residents who are over the age of 65, or who are aged 18-65 and considered high risk, to receive vaccines, said Emily Goodin, director of the Butler County Health Center.

Information posted Thursday morning on the registration website indicated that all available openings for Friday's event had been filled.

The event is set to start at 9 a.m. at Hydro Adventures on Cheshire Boulevard and will be conducted by the Missouri National Guard. Nurses from the Butler County Health Department will be assisted by nursing students from Three Rivers College in giving the vaccine.

Individuals are eligible that fall within Phase 1A (long-term care facilities and health care workers), Phase 1B Tier 1 (first responders and emergency services), and Phase 1B Tier 2 (high risk individuals). Pre-registration is required. The vaccine will not be given to anyone who did not register online.

There will only be 1,950 doses of the Pfizer vaccine available. The link for this registration was to be posted until Thursday January 21, at 10 pm. The registration is separate from the BCHD, if you are on their list, you are not registered for the National Guard event.