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Southwest Missouri Grappling With Rise In Delta Variant

Ventilators, used for treating COVID-19 patients, are in short supply in southwest Missouri.
Carlos Moreno
/
KCUR 89.3
Ventilators, used for treating COVID-19 patients, are in short supply in southwest Missouri.

Hospitals in southwest Missouri are seeing a major increase in Covid-19 patients as the Delta variant expands in the state and the number of vaccinated people remains low.

Low vaccination rates in southwest Missouri are fueling the spread of the more contagious Delta variant. Hospitals at or near capacity are sending patients to other parts of the state for treatment. "It really should be a warning sign for other communities," Dr. Nancy Yoon says. "Even if we're not seeing hotspots in other areas of Missouri or even the country right now, it's really just a matter of time."

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