The vaccination rate for residents in Pottawatomie County remains at a slow pace despite a growing number of new COVID-19 cases over the past few weeks.
During her monthly update to the commission Monday, Health Director Leslie Campbell noted the county had 38 active cases, one hospitalization and 34 confirmed deaths as of Friday’s report.
Despite rising cases, most have been spread out throughout the county, according to Campbell, who dismissed previous reports by WIBW-TV that the county had active clusters. A cluster includes five or more cases at a locality.
Campbell says they are vaccinating on average about 20 to 30 people per week. She remains hopeful those numbers will pick up as the new school year approaches.
CDC guidance suggests unvaccinated students under 12 wear a mask in the classroom, though Campbell says it’s unlikely any of the Pottawatomie County schools will mandate masks for students.
At the request of Commission Chair Greg Riat, Campbell spoke to some of the benefits of getting vaccinated.
Campbell says the county has ample supply of the Pfizer and Modena vaccines, but fears most everyone who wanted the vaccine has gotten the vaccine. Campbell says vaccination clinics are being scheduled ahead of the school year as they try to encourage those 12 and older to get inoculated.
Commissioners also approved Monday the replacement of two temporary clerical employees through federal funding and infrastructure expansion.
Pottawatomie County Commissioner Dee McKee, who was absent from Monday’s meeting will appear on KMAN’s In Focus Tuesday morning along with Campbell.
