The effects of a COVID-19 surge in southwestern Missouri are beginning to move into Central Missouri.
Lake Regional Hospital in Osage Beach reported Thursday it had six COVID-19 patient deaths since July 1.
By comparison, the hospital had six similar deaths in all of June and only one in May.
"The state health department in coordination with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a COVID-19 Hotspot Advisory saying it expects a surge in the Lake of the Ozarks area," the hospital news release reported.
Neighboring counties to the area's southwest have undergone a surge in cases and hospitalizations, the advisory pointed out. The delta variant of the virus is believed to be a significant contributor to the outbreaks.
"Cases in Miller, Morgan and Camden counties are also rising - with 38, 41 and 81, respectively - in the past week," the advisory says. "Disease spread from southwestern Missouri to the Lake of the Ozarks region is expected. Forecasted rates in Miller, Morgan and Camden counties could be three or more times higher in the coming weeks."
Additionally, vaccination rates in counties in extreme southwestern Missouri remain only in the teens.
The vaccination rates in Miller (21.1 percent), Morgan (26.5 percent) and Camden (32.3 percent) counties remain well below the state rate of 39 percent, the advisory says.
The Missouri Health and Senior Services Department's vaccination website shows in Cole County 41.3 percent of residents have initiated vaccinations, while only 37.4 percent have completed them.
Vaccinations remain the most effective protection against COVID-19.
The advisory, sent to the counties surrounding the Lake of the Ozarks, warned delta cases are on the rise in the area. It noted the variant spreads more easily and poses a higher risk of hospitalization than other strains. Social distancing and other precautions remain important safeguards against catching the disease.
The Lake Regional Hospital news release told readers: "Things are bad. And they're about to get worse."
The hospital is very near capacity, and it is seeing "exceptionally high numbers of emergency department patients daily."
It implored people to get vaccinations to protect themselves, their families and their communities.
It noted surrounding hospitals are also filling.
A spokeswoman for St. Mary's Hospital said the Jefferson City facility had nine coronavirus patients Thursday. It had six two weeks earlier, when the News Tribune last inquired.
"We are concerned about the increase in community transmission in Cole County, as well as in other nearby counties," said Jessica Royston, SSM Health's regional manager of marketing and communications. "We are monitoring this on a daily basis and strongly encourage everyone in the community to get a COVID-19 vaccination as soon as possible."
Capital Region Medical Center had 10 coronavirus patients Thursday, said Lindsay Huhman, the hospital's director of marketing and public relations. Like other health care providers, CRMC strongly encourages people to get vaccinations, she said.
Lake Regional Hospital announced Thursday it will be limiting visitors. All hospital visitors will be asked a series of screening questions before entering the facility. They will be required to wear visitor badges. Only one support person will be allowed to enter the hospital per emergency department patient, to limit the risk of exposure to caregivers, patients and their visitors. It also provides more room for social distancing. Two visitors will be allowed for pediatric patients.
Masks are required to be worn in all Lake Regional facilities, regardless of vaccination status.