COVID-19 cases are on the decline in Boone County, according to the Columbia and Boone County Department of Public Health and Human Services Information Hub.

As of Wednesday, Feb. 23, the Columbia Health Department reported 28 new cases. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention COVID Data Tracker, the Columbia seven-day average was 20 cases per day. This indicates a 68% drop in new cases from one week ago.

Boone County Hospitals currently have 42 positive COVID patients. Of the 42, nine are in the intensive care unit and two are on ventilators. The total number of cases in Boone County since the start of the pandemic is 42,597.

The number of current active cases is no longer available on the Health Department website. In a press release last month, the Health Department announced changes to the way it reports COVID-19 data on the information hub. The Health Department will no longer report the number of current active cases.

“When the cases spiked earlier this year, we had to make changes in the way we reported data to be able to keep up with the large number of cases we had [due to Omicron],” Sara Humm, public information specialist for the Health Department wrote in an email. “As part of those changes, we are no longer reporting current active cases.”

Humm said even though positive COVID-19 cases are on the decline, people should still exercise caution.

“We continue to recommend that residents follow CDC guidelines for risk mitigation. [This includes] getting a COVID vaccine and booster if they are eligible, wearing a mask when in public places, avoiding large crowds, social distancing, washing hands often and staying home when sick,” she said.

According to new metrics released Friday by the CDC, Boone County’s community is at a medium level. Community levels indicate the level of risk in a particular county. Guidelines for being in the medium level vary by risk factors such as age, people who are immunocompromised and people with disabilities. The CDC states that if you belong to one of these groups, you should “talk to your health care provider about whether you should wear a mask and take other precautions.”

Edited by Namratha Prasad | nprasad@themaneater.com