COVID vaccine live updates: Here’s what to know in Missouri on Sept. 14

We’re tracking the most up-to-date information about the coronavirus and vaccines in Missouri and the Kansas City area. Check back for updates.

Over 1,500 new COVID cases reported

At least 653,474 people in Missouri have tested positive for the coronavirus, and at least 11,010 have died since March 2020, according to state health officials.

On Tuesday, officials reported an increase of 1,530 cases over the previous day.

There have been 10,632 positive COVID-19 cases over a seven-day period ending Sept. 11, with an average of 1,519 new cases per day, Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services data show. In that same period, there were 35 coronavirus-related deaths.

At least 1,871 people were hospitalized with COVID-19 as of Saturday, the latest day hospitalizations were reported, including 513 patients being treated in intensive care units, health officials said.

As of Tuesday, 11.1% of coronavirus tests were reported positive. Health officials say 5% or lower is the target rate to slow the spread of the virus.

Nearly 53% of Missouri’s total population have received at least one dose of a coronavirus vaccine, and a little more than 46% have been fully vaccinated.

Kansas City metro averaging 513 new COVID cases, 12 deaths every day

The Kansas City metropolitan area is averaging more than 500 new COVID-19 cases and 12 deaths per day.

On Tuesday, the area encompassing Kansas City and Jackson, Clay and Platte counties in Missouri, and Johnson and Wyandotte counties in Kansas gained 412 new cases for a total of 188,369 to date.

The seven-day rolling average for daily cases sits at 513, according to data tracked by The Star. One week ago, the average was 489. Two weeks ago, it was 624.

The metro added 90 deaths in the past week, raising the total to 2,685 since the pandemic began.

COVID-19 tipping Missouri into ‘eviction crisis’

Many Missourians were already struggling to make rent and keep roofs over their heads, but the COVID-19 pandemic has been pushing them even closer to the edge, The Kansas City Star reports.

An August survey by the Census Bureau asked Americans how likely they were to be evicted from their residence and 3.5 million, or 43%, said it was “somewhat” or “very likely.” And in Missouri, 93,459 — more than the national average — said the same.

The reality for some residents, those earning less than a living wage, is that they are “always just one mishap away from falling behind on their rent and being evicted,” said Gina Chiala, executive director and staff attorney for the Heartland Center for Jobs and Freedom.

At the same time, rent is climbing, by leaps in bounds in many cities, Kansas City included, where the average one-bedroom apartment costs $1,435 a month.

To advocates and many of the renters facing the threat of homelessness, the worsening situation needs long-term solutions and changes to the current housing rules.

“The eviction crisis is real. It’s not getting better,” Chiala said. “The only thing that’s going to cure it on a long-term basis is tenants organizing and winning affordable housing.”

This story was originally published September 14, 2021 at 7:03 AM with the headline "COVID vaccine live updates: Here’s what to know in Missouri on Sept. 14."