-->

Coping with COVID: Mo. hospitalizations tally above U.S. average, Kan. below national average

By Madison Parry

National data tracking on hospitalized COVID-19 patients shows several Midwest states have bumped above the U.S. average of 400 hospitalizations per 1 million. Missouri is included in those sitting above the average at 427, while neighboring state Kansas rests well below at 203.

Only five states are considered to have reached dangerous levels of COVID-19 hospitalizations per 1 million.

The COVID Tracking Project updated by The Atlantic shows four levels that indicated where each state lies in terms of COVID-19 hospitalizations ranging from 0 to 500.

The lowest level shows that any state recording under 100 hospitalization cases per 1 million remains in the safest zone, while any state reporting above 500 is considered at a dangerous level.

According to the interactive map, outside of five states that are currently sitting above 500, the majority of the U.S. sits at the level below in COVID-19 hospitalizations, in the 250-500 range.

While no state in the Midwest reflects a dangerous level, several rest in the 250-500 range, including Missouri which shows 427 COVID-19 hospitalizations per 1 million people.

This number is above the U.S. average, which totals 400. Meanwhile, Kansas rests well below the national average at 203 hospitalizations per 1 million.

In the Kansas City region, a COVID-19 Data Hub from the Mid-America Regional Council notes that hospitalizations for COVID-19 peaked on Dec. 12, 2020 at 935 in the metro area.

As of yesterday, hospitalizations in the metro stood at 729 yesterday, a month-over-month decline of 22.03 percent.

Put in context, industry figures suggest that if 10 percent of patient population is COVID-19 positive, you have reason to be concerned as a hospital. At 20 percent, you are under extreme stress, and at 30 percent, at crisis levels. The metro area average yesterday stood at 13.46 percent.