AP
Missouri Gov. Mike Parson says that COVID-19 case numbers and vaccine access influenced the decision to resume in-person work for state employees.
Absent statewide mandates, local communities should continue to use preventive measures to ensure safe working conditions, an expert said.
After many of them have worked remotely for more than a year, state employees will soon return to their offices.
Missouri Gov. Mike Parson issued a directive Wednesday ordering state employees to return to in-person work on May 17, even though COVID-19 vaccination rates in Missouri are far below the threshold for herd immunity.
In a news release, Parson said the availability of vaccines and low infection rates influenced his decision.
Flu hospitalizations reach record-low’s, avoiding a ‘twindemic’ for now
By Patrick Keck - pkeck@aimmediamidwest.com
Multiple locations, including Staker s Drugstore on Chillicothe Street, have flu vaccines at their places of business. Photo by Patrick Keck.
SCIOTO Rates of influenza-associated hospitalizations are down significantly throughout Ohio and the United States, which public health experts say is due to a multitude of reasons.
A few weeks into the 2020-2021 flu season, the Ohio Department of Health has reported 43 hospitalizations as of Dec. 12. Compared to other years, this 10th week of reporting is just under 10 times less than last flu season’s and five times less than this point in 2018-2019.
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