Delta variant

St. Louis County is experiencing one of its largest surges in COVID cases in more than a year.

COVID-19 cases rose 20%, hospitalizations 30% since the end of October

New cases and hospitalization in the Kansas City area continue to climb, even as the statewide spike shows signs of slowing.

Hospitalizations continue to climb, with 2,200 patients hospitalized across Missouri, as the state reported 4,213 new infections on Wednesday.

The governor continues to stress vaccines as the most effective way to beat back the persistent pandemic.

But that isn't likely to happen based on comments Gov. Mike Parson made to St. Louis Public Radio.

The mandate applies to all schools, public and private, that serve students from pre-K to 12th grade. The rules also apply to all childcare facilities.

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker said he is closely watching the southwestern Illinois counties that border Missouri, which have the highest growth of new COVID-19 infections in the country.

Vaccinations in St. Clair and Madison counties remained just above 40%, while case positivity rates tripled in the past month.

Gov. Mike Parson’s new appointment comes as St. Louis County is considering bringing back mask mandates.