The falling numbers of new cases of COVID-19 reported in Cole County are reflected in data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The CDC and other organizations working under the White House COVID-19 team publish the COVID-19 Community Profile Report, which provides information on the pandemic for all regions, states, core-based statistical areas and counties across the country. It is a snapshot that focuses on COVID-19 outcomes over the past seven days, including changes relative to the prior week.
Data in the report, last updated Monday, may differ from state and local data, often because of how it is reported and because historical data may be updated over time.
The data show Missouri had 12,158 new coronavirus cases confirmed during the week ending Jan. 31. That represented an increase of 29 percent over the previous week.
However, with a rate of 198 cases per 100,000 population, it remained well below regional (Midwest) numbers of 214 new cases per 100,000 and the national rate of 324 per 100,000.
The data show the positivity rate for people in Missouri tested for the virus was 9.9 percent, but that fell to about 8.8 percent by Wednesday, according to CDC data. The national average was 8.8 percent.
During the week, the state showed 221 COVID-19-related deaths (about 3.6 per 100,000 population). At the same time, the national death toll was 22,555 (about 6.8 per 100,000 population).
Cole County, according to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, had a positivity rate of 9.7 per 100,000 population, 59th in the state, for the week ending Thursday.
There have been 101 COVID-19-related deaths of Cole County residents (including 45 in nursing facilities), according to the Cole County Health Department. DHSS data show 107 deaths in the county.
Of late, as the pandemic continues, the Community Profile Report shows Cole County and specifically the Jefferson City core-based statistical area have shown progress in slowing spread of the virus.
The report categorizes communities based on new cases and/or positivity.
Those core-based statistical areas and counties that during the previous week reported new cases at or above 101 per 100,000 population and a positivity of 10.1 percent or higher are considered Red Zones.
Orange Zones are CBSAs and counties that, during the week, reported new cases between 51-100 per 100,000 and positivity between 8-10 percent.
Yellow Zones are those geographic areas that reported new cases between 10-50 percent and positivity of 5-7.9 percent.
Jefferson City was in the Yellow Zone for the week.
However, Missouri overall remained an Orange Zone state with 150 new cases per 100,000 population (down about 21 percent) and positivity rate of 9.5 percent (down about 1.4 percent).
You can view the full State Profile Report here.