There is some good news in the battle against COVID-19 in Springfield and Greene County.
Health Director Katie Towns says the seven day rolling average of new cases stood at 125 on Wednesday, which is nearly three times lower than last week.
However, more than 300 people are still hospitalized in Greene County with the virus, including several children.
Towns is urging people to get vaccinated, stating more than 50% of Greene County residents age 12 and older have had at least one dose of vaccine.
The health department says 94% of people who have died locally from COVID-19 were not fully vaccinated.
In an effort to get more people vaccinated, the Springfield-Greene County Health Department, Community Partnership of the Ozarks and Community Foundation of the Ozarks to launch “Greene for Vaccine,” an incentive program offering a chance for people who get vaccinated to win $1,000.
Anyone who gets a vaccine in Greene County between August 15th and September 18th will be eligible. Those who have previously been vaccinated are not able to participate in the program.
Health leaders say those who receive the first dose of the Pfizer/Moderna or the one-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine will be automatically entered into a drawing following the end of the week in which they were vaccinated.
The winner will be announced the following Monday.
The five drawings take place on August 23rd, August 30th, September 6th, September 13th, and September 20th.
For more information on the program and a list of vaccination opportunities, you can go to vaccine417.com or call the COVID-19 Call Center at 417-874-1211.