While vaccination rates in Missouri continue to tick up, Joplin health officials announced Thursday that four more residents died recently due to complications from COVID-19. KRPS’s Fred Fletcher-Fierro has more.

Vaccination rates in Joplin lead the state of Missouri with 62.2% of residents receiving a first dose of a COVID vaccine, and 56.5% of residents completing their vaccinations. Despite that effort, the Joplin Health Department announced Thursday that four residents died due to complications of COVID-19.

The residents who passed away include two females, ages 65 and 69, and two males, ages 58 and 69. This announcement brings the total count to 179 deaths in Joplin. According to data Thursday at AllThingsMissouri.org, new cases of COVID-19 in Joplin have increased by 6% in the past two-weeks. COVID19 shots will be available next Tuesday, October 19, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Joplin Health Department, 321 E 4th St. This is a walk-in clinic offering Moderna for adults 18 and up. Also, all COVID vaccinations are free. For 89 9 KRPS, I’M Fred Fletcher-Fierro

101421Jop19Voicer