Health Department urges surgical masks for omicron surge, will distribute 50,000 free masks in Greene County - News-Leader

As omicron sweeps through the Ozarks, the Springfield-Greene County Health Department is distributing 50,000 N-95 surgical masks to blunt the "unprecedented" spread.

As of Wednesday morning, Greene County is seeing a seven-day average of 409 positive COVID cases per day — a 62 percent increase from a week before.

"As we feared, Omicron has taken a hold of our community," said Assistant Health Director Jon Mooney at a Wednesday press conference.

Last week, our hospital partners said the amount of severe illness could outpace their capacity because of how quickly these cases are spreading through our community.

Since then, hospitalizations in Greene County have risen significantly.

At the press conference, Mooney asked everyone to use surgical masks if able and to resume masking in all public spaces, even if vaccinated and boosted.

Mooney added Greene County residents should still wear cloth masks if that is all they have available — saying "any mask" is going to offer some level of protection "if worn properly.".

Since Monday, SPS has reported 410 new positive COVID cases among students and staff.

"We felt the best way to utilize our resources is to pivot to what our community says they need, which is access to immediate care...

Jordan Valley Community Health already has 10 percent of its staff in quarantine, according to their spokesperson.

But neither Mercy, nor Jordan Valley Community Health will be postponing routine care as of Wednesday.

Only a third of those patients come from Greene County

According to the health department, just 5 percent of those who tested positive in the last two weeks have been boosted

"The science shows it and the numbers prove COVID-19 vaccines and boosters are highly effective at protecting yourself, your loved ones and the community from severe illness, hospitalization and death," Mooney said

"Please do not say you support the health care workers in our community and walk around unvaccinated