Spike in Covid-19 leading to surge of illness in southwestern Missouri

(AP) – The spike in COVID-19 cases is leading to a surge of critical illnesses in southwestern Missouri. The Springfield-Greene County Health Department on Friday reported the largest number of critical care and intensive care unit patients since the pandemic began, a Springfield TV station reported. Health officials in Missouri’s third-largest city say 44% of the 167 COVID-19 patients there are considered critical care or are being treated in the ICU. The delta variant of the virus is believed responsible for much of the spread in Missouri, especially in the southwestern and northern parts of the state. Officials also cite low vaccination rates.