KSMU Coronavirus Coverage

Three more Greene County residents have died of COVID-19, bringing the total of deaths in the county to 417.

They were a woman in her 70s and two women in their 80s.  The deaths occurred in January and February and were reported to the health department between February 24 and March 2.

The seven-day average for new cases in Greene County is 31.9, according to the health department.

It's encouraging people to continue wearing face coverings, washing hands, social distancing and avoiding gatherings.

Beginning March 15, more people will be eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine in Missouri.  But the Springfield-Greene County Health Department said they and local health care partners will continue to focus on those who are high risk until supply increases.

Jordan Valley Community Health Center will hold free drive through COVID-19 testing Monday, March 1, and Tuesday, March 2, in Greene and Christian Counties.

The first will be at First Baptist Church of Ozark, 1400 W. Jackson, Monday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.  The second will be held Tuesday at Jordan Valley Community Health Center, 1720 Grand in Springfield, from 8 a.m. to noon. 

The Howell County Health Department, City of West Plains, and the Missouri National Guard will hold a mass vaccination Friday, February 26 from 7:30 AM to 4 PM for those who received their first dose of the Pfizer vaccine on January 29th. The clinic will be held at the West Plains Civic Center. There are designated times of arrival depending on last name. For example, those with last names A through C are asked to show up between 7:30 AM and 9 AM. Visitors are asked to bring their vaccination cards.

Ten more Greene County, Missouri residents have died of COVID-19.  The Springfield-Greene County Health Department said the deaths were reported to them between February 17 and February 23.

The deaths include two men in their 70s, two women in their 70s, two women in their 80s, two men in their 90s and two women in their 90s.  A total of 414 Greene County residents has died of COVID-19.

A longtime fixture of Springfield’s downtown area, Patton Alley Pub, will be closing its doors permanently this year.

A national group that represents nursing homes says many are struggling to stay above water financially due to the pandemic.

The number of Greene County residents who have died of COVID-19 has now topped 400.

The Springfield-Greene County Health Department announced five more deaths on Wednesday. They include a woman in her 60s, a man in his 80s, two women in their 80s and a man in his 90s.  The deaths were reported to the department between February 10 and 16.

As of Wednesday, 404 Greene County residents had died of COVID-19, according to the health department.

This week, as an unprecedented severe weather event converges with a pandemic, several state-run mass vaccination clinics that were scheduled to take place have been cancelled. 

COVID-19 vaccination events hosted by the state and the Missouri National Guard were scheduled for Gainesville, West Plains, Joplin, Lebanon, and Saint Roberts this week – but those are not going forward because of the snow and extreme cold, according to Missouri Governor Mike Parson's office.

If you’ve been fully vaccinated for COVID-19 and are in close contact with someone who tests positive, you’ll no longer need to quarantine for at least 90 days following your second dose.

The Springfield-Greene County Health Department issued that guidance Thursday based on new guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The weekly report of fatalities from COVID-19 in Greene County this week includes four deaths reported between February 3 and February 9.

Those who died were a man in his 30s, a man in his 50s and two men in their 70s, according to the Springfield-Greene County Health Department. 

All of the deaths occurred in January.

None of the individuals was associated with long-term care, and all had underlying health conditions.

A total of 399 Greene County residents had died of COVID-19 as of Wednesday morning.

After a slump during the first year of the pandemic, new services will soon be available at the Springfield-Branson National Airport.

Allegiant Air announced new service this week between Springfield and Houston Hobby Airport, according to a news release.  The service will run twice a week on Mondays and Fridays beginning May 28.