By PHYLLIS ZORN

Staff writer

As of Monday, 90 county residents are already fully vaccinated after getting a one-shot-only COVID-19 vaccination.

County health department administrator Diedre Serene said the health department was notified late last week that a shipment of Johnson & Johnson vaccines were on their way.

A vaccination clinic was at the county lake hall Monday afternoon.

Since the state is still in phase two, Monday’s shots were given to people 65 and older.

That will change next week when the state enters phases three and four of its vaccination plan.

Under phase three and four, people between ages 16 and 64 who have a preexisting medical condition and workers in essential industries can get shots.

Governor Laura Kelly said the age requirement was abandoned because of an increase in available vaccines.

“This expedited timeline will allow Kansans to get back to work, back to school, and back to a more normal way of life,” Kelly said.

Preexisting conditions that make people eligible starting next week include cancer, Down syndrome, certain heart conditions; diabetes, pregnancy, asthma, cystic fibrosis, liver disease, neurological conditions such as dementia, and other medical risks.

Essential workers who cannot work from home also qualify. They include agriculture and food workers, people who perform in-person activities indoors, utility workers, social service and government workers not included in earlier phases, logistical workers such as couriers and truck drivers, water and wastewater workers, shelter, housing, and finance workers, information technology workers and communication workers.

Marion County health department on Tuesday reported 14 new cases of the virus in the past week, bringing the total since April to 1,021.

Of them, 11 people were still in isolation and two were hospitalized. There have been 24 deaths from COVID.

Kansas Department of Health data show 1,039 cases of COVID in the county.

Marion County has vaccinated 1,829 people to date. Some have had their second shot.

A vaccination clinic today will give booster shots to people who got their first shot Feb. 17.