The Joplin Health Department reported three additional deaths due to COVID-19 on Friday. KRPS’s Fred Fletcher-Fierro has more.

Despite continuing to lead Missouri in the percentage of residents who have received their first dose and have completed their COVID-19 vaccinations, officials with the Joplin Health Department reported three additional deaths due to the disease. The residents who passed include two males, ages 65 and 71; and one female, 54 years of age. The announcement brings the total number of COVID-19 related deaths in Joplin to 171 deaths.

According to data Sunday from the Missouri Department of Health 55.2% of Joplin residents has gotten their first dose of a COVID shot, while 61.4% of residents have completed their inoculations. This is in stark contrast to the 26% of residents getting their first dose and 29% completing their COVID shots in neighboring Newton County. Jasper county, which is tracked separately from Joplin, has similar COVID shot vaccine rates to Newton. Overall, 53.4% of Missouri residents have received the first shot, while 47.4% have received both COVID shots. For 89 9 KRPS, I’m Fred Fletcher-Fierro