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Why COVID-19 Cases Are Surging In Two Missouri Counties

By Steve Kraske,

Published June 8, 2021 at 3:53 PM CDT

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Covid-19 testing supplies. — The Linn County Health Department started mass testing for COVID-19 in May and is seeing 30-40% of its tests coming back positive.

Despite ongoing vaccination efforts in Missouri, Livingston and Linn Counties are seeing COVID-19 cases rise above the statewide average.

Linn County's reported cases are five times greater and the county's Health Department administrator blames low vaccination numbers and the prevalence of three COVID-19 variants in the community as likely reasons. Across the state line in Johnson County, Kansas, cases are lower as 60% of eligible residents have been vaccinated.

Krista Neblock, administrator for the Linn County Health Department
Dr. Sanmi Areola, director of the Johnson County Department of Health and Environment

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Steve Kraske

When I host Up To Date each morning at 9, my aim is to engage the community in conversations about the Kansas City area’s challenges, hopes and opportunities. I try to ask the questions that listeners want answered about the day’s most pressing issues and provide a place for residents to engage directly with newsmakers. Reach me at steve@kcur.org or on Twitter @stevekraske.

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Chris Young

Chris Young is an Assistant Producer for KCUR’s Up To Date. Contact him at chrisy@kcur.org.

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Mackenzie Martin

As senior podcast producer for KCUR Studios and a host of A People’s History of Kansas City, I interview everyday people and dig through old newspaper articles to unearth stories of the visionaries and renegades who created this region. I focus on bringing the past to life, so we can all better understand the city we live in today. Email me at mackenzie@kcur.org.

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