With testing efforts spread out across Missouri this week, the number of new COVID-19 cases continues its decline. As of Sunday morning, the state department of health reported a rolling 7-day average of 1,130 new cases. For a point of comparison, at its peak on November 9th of last year, the department announced a rolling weekly average of over 4,500 new cases per day, with a high of 7,610 new cases. Health officials believe that the declining number of cases linked to COVID-19 vaccinations, residents wearing masks, washing hands regularly, and herd immunity as Missouri approaches the 1st anniversary of the disease’s initial verified case mid-March 2020. Missouri is approaching 460,000 total cases with 6,748 COVID-19 related deaths.

Free COVID-19 testing for Missouri residents is taking place tomorrow in Lamar and Friday in Joplin at Access Family Care from 9 AM until 1 PM. Free testing is also scheduled in Springfield on Tuesday, February 9th, from 8 PM until 6 PM at the Old Price Cutting Building at 1720 Grand Street. For more information and to register, visit health.mo.gov/communitytest