With COVID-19 still making an appearance in Faribault County, Minnesota and around the U.S., a third COVID-19 booster shot is now available.

The case rate per 100,000 people in Faribault County was listed at 175.79 in a report released by the Minnesota Department of Health on Thursday, Sept. 8. There were 24 cases reported in Faribault County the preceding week.

While that number seems high, the report stated that the rate is actually down 22.58 percent from the previous week.

There had been nine cases of persons being hospitalized due to COVID-19 in Faribault County in the past seven days, and that was down 33.3 percent from the week before.

Faribault County had been listed as a ‘high’ case rate county previously, and was now listed as a ‘medium’ case rate county. The health department says a medium community level means those who are at high risk for severe illness should talk to their healthcare provider about whether they need to wear a mask or take other precautions. And, as always, to get tested if they have symptoms.

The third COVID-19 booster shot is now available in Faribault County.

The Moderna Bivalent booster became available at Blue Earth Drug on Wednesday of this past week.

According to pharmacist Ryan Milbrandt, they can give anyone, 19 years old or older, the new booster shot, as long as it has been at least two months since they received any other COVID-19 shot.

He added that they are taking walk ins, with no appointment needed, Mondays through Fridays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

In Faribault County, 8,321 residents have at least one vaccine shot and 7,935 are fully vaccinated.

There have been 4,667 who have had one booster shot, and 1,490 have had two of them.