Full Notification

PETTIS COUNTY COVID-19 TASK FORCE
BRIEFING
NOVEMBER 9, 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.
Please note:  Only the agencies with updated information will be included in the briefing.
 
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed are those of the contributors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of either the Pettis County Sheriff's Office or the County of Pettis.
 
HEALTH CARE:
Pettis County Health Center

• As of November 9, 2020 there are 2424 cases as compared to 1984 reported on November 2^nd and 1727 cases reported on October 26. This is an increase of 440 cases in the past week and 697 cases in the past 2 weeks.   There are more than 600 active cases.   There are 7 deaths currently under investigation.  
• The Department of Health and Senior Services reports a positivity rate of 36.5% for the past week.  The positivity rate for October was 23.15%.   On November 2, there were 118 positive cases reported.   The 13-18 age group now has more positive cases than the 19-24 age group.  From the case investigation, the transmission is not happening in schools, but rather within families and from community events.   There has been transmission identified from parties around Halloween.   The November 2 time frame is within the window of those who were exposed around Halloween.
• According to state data, Pettis County had the highest rate of cases for the week of October 31-November 6 for the entire state.   The rate is calculated by using a standard of 100,000 so comparisons can be made across large and small jurisdictions.  Pettis County ranks 8^th overall in the total number of cases.   This data indicates that in the risk of being exposed to the virus in our county is high. 
• The Health Center is relieved that we will no longer have to spend tens of thousands of dollars of taxpayer money to defend the lawsuit.    The attorney for the plaintiff dismissed the Health Center from the lawsuit on Friday, November 6 at 2:59 pm.   The goal of the face covering rule has always been and will continue to be the protection of the residents and visitors of Pettis County, not to prosecute or cause harm.    As the data identifies, we need to show care and concern for our neighbors and those we meet by wearing a face covering when a 6 foot distance can not be maintained.  That 6 foot distance is a minimum when a face covering is not worn and is difficult to estimate.    We need to push down the virus transmission rate.
• There will be free COVID community testing sponsored by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services in conjunction with the Missouri National Guard at the Sheep Pavilion on the Missouri State Fairground from 11-5 on Friday, November 20, 2020.  In order to have enough testing material, individuals need to register on line at health.mo.gov/communitytest or calling 877-435-8411.
• Mental health issues are a challenge during the pandemic.   There are people who are isolating in their homes for fear of catching the virus, but this isolation is not healthy for them.   The isolation and fear has passed the level of caution and is a threat to their well being.    Burrell has a crisis line at 1-800-395-2132.  Compass Health also has a crisis line at 1-800-237-4567 for substance abuse issue.   If you know of someone who is struggling with isolation and fear, please help them reach out for help.
• Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays are going to present a significant challenge as the spread of COVID 19 continues.   Please consider carefully if gathering with family and friends who do not live with you is the safest plan.   If you gather together, look for ways to have social distance between family groups, try to avoid common serving spoons, make sure everyone washes hands well, open the window to improve ventilation, if Thanksgiving should be warm, consider having the gathering outside and plan to reduce contacts outside your family group for the 2 weeks before the gathering.    Not being able to have traditional holiday celebrations is going to be hard for everyone.   We don’t want a family gathering to be the source of illness for family and friends, particularly those who are at high risk.

• Bothwell has 27 hospitalized COVID patients at this time.
• Visitors are restricted to 1 patient identified designated visitor per patient stay. Visiting hours continue to be from 10 am - 4 pm. If you have a loved one that you would like to visit, virtual visits are also an option.
• No visitors are allowed in the Bothwell Emergency Department.
• Bothwell Walk In Clinic (located at 3700 W. 10^th St. in Sedalia) continues to provide COVID-19 PCR curbside testing for all individuals. Please be patient as testing is on a first come basis and wait times may be longer due to increased volumes.

• Katy Trail Community Health is continuing to serve their 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 an appointment for testing or call to schedule an appointment.  Testing hours have been expanded into the afternoon at the Sedalia location.

 
GOVERNMENT
City of Sedalia 
 
Dear Community,
For nine months, Sedalians have faced the challenge of dealing with the COVID virus. We all know fellow Sedalians who have been infected by the virus with most experiencing minor symptoms, some hospitalized with difficult complications and others sadly did not survive.
We’ve made significant sacrifices with the goal of flattening the curve with the ultimate goal to reduce the pressure on our medical team to successfully treat the ill. We are now at a critical situation with our local medical team to be able to successfully treat the increasing numbers of COVID-19 positive cases. Research has provided improved therapeutics and the ultimate goal is to have a vaccine readily available soon.  As we approach the start of flu season, medical professionals are encouraging us to get a flu shot. We in the City are faced with the same challenges with keeping our first responders healthy so they can respond to your public safety needs.
Until this vaccine is available, I’m asking you to continue to do your part in battling the increasing infection rate. Our doctors are pleading with you to wash or sanitize your hands often, maintain at least 6’ social distancing, and when social distancing is not possible, to please wear a mask.
Make each day the best day ever.
Mayor John Kehde
 
 
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:
 
Resources for Mental Health and/or Substance Abuse and/or Safety
 
Burrell Behavioral Health                                                                 1-800-395-2132
 
ACI (Access Crisis Intervention)                                                        1-800-356-5395
 
Compass Health Emergency                                                             1-800-237-4567
 
Royal Oaks Hospital                                                                          1-800-456-2634
 
National Alliance on Mental Health                                                            1-800-950-6264
 
Substance Abuse & Mental Health (SAMHSA)                               1-800-662-4357
 
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline                                                           1-800-273-8255
 
IMALIVE Suicide Prevention Hotline                                                           1-800-784-2433
 
LGBT Youth Suicide Hotline                                                              1-866-488-7386
 
Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline                                                     1-800-392-3738
(on line reports https://dss.mo.gov/cd/keeping-kids-safe/can.htm )
 
Elder Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation Hotline                              1-800-392-0210
(on line reports https://health.mo.gov/safety/abuse/ )
 
Child Safe of Central Missouri                                                          1-660-829-3434
 
CASA                                                                                                   1-660-827-5555
                                                                                                            1-800-894-1151
 
Burrell – Coping with COVID-19                                                       1-417-761-5263
(need to register for group sessions – Medicaid or self pay to cover cost)
 
12:45 Wellness on Burrell Facebook page
 
Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services
https://health.mo.gov/living/healthcondiseases/communicable/novel-coronavirus/anxiety.php
 
ps://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, November 17, 2020