Missouri’s governor and state health director to update reporters on COVID response

Missouri’s governor will provide an update Wednesday afternoon about the status of the COVID-19 response moving forward.

Governor Mike Parson has called a press conference for 3:30 this afternoon at the Statehouse in Jefferson City, where he’ll be joined by state Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) acting director Paula Nickelson.

The DHSS website says more than 3.4 million Missourians have completed COVID vaccination, which is about 57 percent. The agency says more than 3.9 million Missourians have initiated COVID vaccination, which is about 64 percent.

Governor Parson appointed Nickelson as acting state health director on March 1: she’s been a key figure in Missouri’s COVID response efforts. The Fulton resident has worked for DHSS for 22 years.

In addition to COVID, Nickelson plans to focus on health equity and on the state’s leading causes of morbidity and mortality.