COVID-19 Update: November 3, 2021
Locally, active COVID-19 cases have increased over the last few weeks, but hospitalizations continue in the downward trend since our last update. There are 91 active COVID-19 cases in Baxter County, and 45.6% of the population of Baxter County is fully vaccinated. There is currently 1 COVID-19 patient admitted at Baxter Regional, in ICU but not on a ventilator. There are 4 Baxter Regional employees with active COVID-19, at home and in isolation.
Additional statistics from Baxter Regional:
- 100% of 1 COVID-19 patient currently hospitalized are not fully vaccinated.
- 89% of 463 COVID-19 patients hospitalized since March 1, 2021, were not fully vaccinated.
- 83.9% of 112 COVID-19 deaths since March 1, 2021, were not fully vaccinated.
On Tuesday, November 9, Baxter Regional will be hosting its second COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Event at the Baxter County Fairgrounds. From 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., doses of the Pfizer BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine will be administered to those that register using the online form found at www.baxterregional.org/vaccine. The call center will not be available for registration. First, second and third primary doses as well as booster doses will be available.
Those eligible for the booster include individuals 65 years of age and older, individuals 18 through 64 years of age who are at high risk of severe COVID-19 due to underlying medical conditions, and individuals 18 through 64 years of age whose frequent institutional or occupational exposure puts them at high risk of serious complications of COVID-19. To receive your booster dose, you must have received your second dose 6 before May 9, 2021. Those who have completed 2 primary doses of Pfizer or Moderna prior to May 9, 2021 or 1 dose of Johnson and Johnson prior to September 9, 2021 are eligible to receive a third booster dose of the Pfizer BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine.
Those eligible for the third primary dose include individuals 12 years of age or older who have been classified as moderately to severely immunocompromised. To receive your third primary dose, you must have received your second dose before October 8, 2021.
The CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) voted unanimously yesterday to recommend giving Pfizer BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines to children ages 5 to 11, and last night CDC Director Rochelle P. Walensky, MD, MPH, endorsed the recommendation. Younger children will receive 1/3 of the dose authorized for those 12 and older, and it will be delivered by smaller needles and stored in smaller vials than adult doses. Baxter Regional is making plans and awaiting supplies to help get children aged 5 to 11 vaccinated.
The COVID-19 situation locally and statewide has definitely improved, but we urge everyone to remember that the very best way to continue this trend is to get a COVID-19 vaccine if you are eligible and continue using precautions, remembering the basic 3 Ws: wash your hands, watch your distance and wear your mask.
The Baxter Regional COVID-19 Resource Line is available at (870) 508-7001 as an easy way to access all COVID-19 services using just one phone number. Anyone in the community may call to schedule an appointment for a COVID-19 test, vaccine or monoclonal antibodies infusion with provider's order, donate items for our staff, make a monetary donation to Baxter Regional Hospital Foundation or reach the COVID-19 Hotline.
For more information and regular local updates on COVID-19, visit www.baxterregional.org/coronavirus.
