There was a slight uptick in the number of new COVID-19 cases in Joplin recently. KRPS’s Fred Fletcher-Fierro has more.

First the good news, Joplin continues to lead Missouri in the percentage of residents getting vaccinated for COVID-19. According to the state data available at health.mo.gov, 62.4% of residents have received a first shot, while 56.7% have completed their first two doses of a COVID vaccine. Joplin Health Director Ryan Talken speaking Monday at the city council meeting says pandemic conditions are improving, “Hospitalizations are basically, and slightly trending down, we’re showing 29. The updated number that I got today from my staff was one Joplin resident included in that. That’s the lowest that’s been in a very long time.”

Statewide in Missouri, 54.7% of residents have received the first jab, while 48.8% have completed their COVID inoculations. To compare, Vermont and Massachusetts have the highest percentage of residents receiving their first dose, at 78%. For 89 9 KRPS, I’m Fred Fletcher-Fierro