Full Notification

PETTIS COUNTY COVID-19 TASK FORCE
BRIEFING
JULY 13, 2020

 To communicate openly with county residents, this compilation of information from essential government service providers within Pettis County will be disseminated on Mondays.  This briefing will continue to be provided throughout the COVID-19 event.
 
HEALTH CARE:
Pettis County Health Center

• As of 12 noon Monday, July 13, 2020 there are now 171 positive cases reported in Pettis County residents of which 48 are active.  In addition, we were notified of 3 Illinois residents who were working in our county, became ill in our county and were tested in our county, but they do not count in our statistics.  We are saddened to report the death of another Pettis County resident.   We currently have 5 county residents in hospitals though out the state and in other states.  At least 4 are in intensive care.  None are over the age of 60.   We have had a 28% increase in the number of cases in one week.   The attached graph demonstrates the steady increase in cases since June 16, 2020 when all limitations were lifted.  
• If we are to slow the spread of this virus and continue to support our economy by allowing people to work, shop, attend religious services and get our children back into school, the only options left are everyone wearing a mask and social distancing.  Personal responsibility does not seem to be working. People should not travel, particularly to hot spots.  People need to be honest when called about contacts and all people with the disease as well as close contacts MUST stay home.   Leaving your home when you are positive or a contact is against State Law, not just a recommendation or order by the Pettis County Health Center.
• The Pettis County Health Center is requiring all visitors wear a mask when in our facility.  If you do not have a mask, one will be provided.  We cannot have people without masks in our lobby. 
• The only goal of the Health Center staff is to protect the health of the residents and visitors in this county.   For those who are at high risk of serious complications and those who have family members at high risk, the failure of our community to take even the most basic precaution of wearing a mask in public is viewed as self-centered and uncaring.

• Bothwell continues to offer both PCR testing and antibody testing for patients. A physician’s order is not required for either test. Bothwell Walk In Clinic offers drive up PCR testing during business hours. After arrival, call the number posted and a provider will come out to your vehicle to perform the COVID-19 test.
•  Antibody testing is available from Monday—Thursday, 7:30 –4:15 at the Diagnostic Center and Bothwell Truman Lake clinic. Antibody testing will not be filed with insurance and is available for a flat fee of $45.
• Visiting hours remain restricted and are from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. All visitors must wear a mask at all times in the facility. The cafeteria is only open for employees at this time.  No visitors will be allowed into the hospital who show symptoms of COVID-19 as this helps keep patients and employees safe.
• Bothwell also continues to test all inpatient and surgery patients for COVID-19.

• Beginning July 6 KTCH is increasing the number of face to face visits at each site.  In addition to face to face we will continue to offer virtual visits for our high risk patients.  To schedule an appointment, please call 877-733-5824. 
• Katy Trail Community Health continues to support the need for community testing at each of our sites.  Individuals can access our website to request a testing date and time at https://www.katytrailcommunityhealth.org/covid-testing

• As there continues to be more COVID-19 cases identified in the city and county, PCAD will continue to utilize all current PPE and decontamination precautions, regardless of any relaxing of statewide stay-at-home orders.
• PCAD asks all citizens to maintain social distancing and other efforts to help minimize exposures as we continue to treat and transport the most vulnerable members of our community.  District buildings remain closed to the public at this time.
• PCA would also like to remind everyone to stay alert to increased vehicle, motorcycle, and especially pedestrian traffic of all ages as nicer weather moves in.
• ALL PCAD units remain fully staffed and ready to respond.

• One thing that everyone can do to help decrease the spread beyond staying six feet away from others, washing your  hands or using hand sanitizer,  staying home if you are sick, is to wear a mask when you leave your home, for those you care about. 
• A mask is not a sign of fear, but rather that you are a concerned, caring person who wants to protect the people around you.

• The County of Pettis has approved 14 CARES Act Funding Applications to date. We will be reviewing new applications weekly.
• Please see the updated CARES Act Application form, available on the County website, pettiscomo.com, or on the County of Pettis Facebook page.

• Any questions should be brought to Kristen Anderson, Assistant to the Commission, at 66-826-5000 ext. 410.

• Please continue to watch the City’s website and social media postings for more details and updates as they become available.    

• As the weather begins to warm and summer approaches, people are increasing their outdoor activities.  Unfortunately, in addition to law abiding activities, this includes criminal behavior.
• The Sheriff’s Office is seeing an increase in calls regarding would-be thieves roaming neighborhoods.  There have been reports of individuals checking car doors to see if they are locked and even people walking uninvited into open garages and other unsecured areas.
• It takes three components for a crime to occur:

1.  A motivated offender
2. A suitable target, and
3. The absence of a capable guardian.

• Sheriff Kevin Bond reminds residents that many criminals are ‘fair weather employees’ and surface during the summer months to take advantage of and prey upon unsuspecting victims.  Please be sure to keep doors locked on your vehicles, home, business and other buildings.  Don’t leave lawn/garden/farming equipment and items unattended and be sure to close garage doors and fence gates when you aren’t actively present in those areas.
• Don’t allow yourself to become a victim of crime.  And, if you see criminal or suspicious activity, call law enforcement immediately.

• The Sedalia Police Department continues to provide law enforcement services to the community. 
• As the temperatures rise, please remember to drink plenty of non-alcoholic fluids and check on those who are susceptible to the summer heat along with taking special care of pets. 

• Call volume is increasing back towards normal for the SFD.  Nothing for the COVID response.

1. Do you or anyone in your home currently have or have had a fever in the last fourteen (14) days?
2. Do you or anyone inside your home currently have or have had coughing or difficult breathing in the last fourteen (14) days?
3. Have you or anyone in your home traveled outside of the state in the last fourteen (14) days?
4. Have you or anyone in your home been tested for COVID-19 and received a positive test notification or are you or anyone in your awaiting a COVID-19 result?
5. Are you or anyone in your home currently on a quarantine?

• Please do not visit the jail if you are sick.
• Remote visitations continue for visitors of inmates at jail.
• Court appearances continue to be conducted via video at jail.
• Accommodations for attorney-inmate visitations; parole/probation officers-inmate visitations; bonding company representatives-inmate visitations provided for at jail.
• Updating of sex offender registrations continue at counter of lobby at jail
• While in the jail lobby awaiting visitation, please practice social distancing – at least six (6) feet away from other individuals.

• The health and safety of all of our citizens is always our top priority.  As Coroner, I am faced with meeting normal duties along with protecting our staff, first responders (ambulance, fire, law enforcement) and funeral home staff.  The funeral home staff will be critical during these trying times.
• We are working on protocol for responses to nursing home and hospitals.

• Avoid Coronavirus Scams
• Don’t respond to texts, emails or calls about checks from the government..  The details are still coming together.
• Ignore online offers for vaccinations and home test kits.  There are no products proven to treat or prevent COVID-19 at this time.
• Hang up on robocalls.  Scamme4rs are using illegal robocalls to pitch everything from low-priced health insurance to work-at-home schemes.
• Watch for emails, claiming to be from the CDC or WHO.  Use sites like coronavirus.gov and usa.gov/coronavirus to get the latest information.
• Don’t click on links from sources you don’t know.
• Do your homework when it comes to donations.  Never donate in cash, by gift card or by wiring money.

 
The following COVID-19 phone numbers and websites are provided for your information:
MO Department of Health and Senior Services Hotline:  877-435-8411
City of Sedalia/Pettis County Helpline:  660-851-7686
Pettis County Health Center:  www.pettiscountyhealthcenter.com
Center for Disease Control (CDC):
https://cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nov/index.html     
Missouri Department of Health COVID-19:
https://health.mo.gov/lkiving/healthcondiseases/communicable/novel-coronavirus/results.php
Missouri State Emergency Management (SEMA) Daily Briefing:
https://sema.dps.mo.gov/newspubs/docs/dailybriefs.pdf
 

Instructions:

Look for the COVID-19 Task Force Briefing each Monday, beginning Monday, June 1st. The next briefing will be Monday, July 20, 2020.