Full Notification

PETTIS COUNTY COVID-19 TASK FORCE
BRIEFING
April 19, 2021

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 April 19, 2021 there are 5093 total positive cases compared to 5079 total positive cases on April 12 and 5062 positive cases on April 5, 2021.   This is an increase of 14 cases in the past week and 31 cases in the past 2 weeks.
• The positivity rate for April 8-14 was 5.54% with 17 new positives and 290 negatives and the cases per 100,000 is 40.15.  The positivity rate for April 1-7 was 4.56% and the case rate was 33.07/100,000.  
• The number of tests has decreased.  Having a strong testing program helps to know how the disease is spreading more effectively.
• There is a lot of pandemic fatigue and people want to stop mask wearing and social distancing, but the increase in cases for the past week is concerning.  In order to keep moving in the right direction, we need to continue to wear masks, keep 6 feet apart, wash hands and stay home when ill.
• An important issue that has appeared this week is an increase in the amount of virus being found in one sewage treatment plant in Sedalia.   The amount of virus particles found in sewage is a good predictor of the cases of disease in a community.   The last large spike noted in sewage was on March 1 and there were 40 positive COVID cases that week.   Although not completely predictive, this indicates the virus is still present in the community.  The Health Center has received several communications about this issue from state officials, so there is concern. 
• The face covering rule will be discussed at the May 6 Board of Trustees meeting.  The meeting will be available on line.  The link will be posted the week of the Board meeting.  
• There are 4 individuals hospitalized at Bothwell including in the CCU.  Last week there were none on the date of this report.  The DHSS website reports 78 deaths in Pettis County.   
• Pettis County has now vaccinated approximately 26.6 % of the population with at least one dose.   According to the state website, 11,268 Pettis County residents have received 1 dose and 8370 have completed the 2 dose series which is approximately 19.8% of the population is fully vaccinated. 
• Pettis County Health Center will have start having regular walk in clinics on Tuesday, May 11 from 9-5:30 pm.   First doses will be available as well as second doses for those unable to make their second dose appointmet.  If you would like to register, you can call 660-827-1130, but appointments are not required.
• Additional clinics through Bothwell Regional Health Center will be posted on the hospital website and Facebook.  Please help friends and family who do not have access to the internet or can not get out easily to register for vaccine. Online registration is also available through the Bothwell website.  We are trying to reach all eligible people in the current categories. 
• OATS is providing transportation to vaccine clinics free of charge.  To schedule transportation, call 1-800-276-6287.
• For more information on vaccine in Missouri go to the website www.MOStopsCOVID.com. There is a map that shows the percentage of residents vaccinated by county.  For general information on COVID 19 go to www.health.mo.gov   Information will be posted on Facebook, website, and other media as more vaccine becomes available.
• CDC has relaxed guidelines for fully vaccinated individuals.  The new guidance is available at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/fully-vaccinated.html 
• CDC has modified the guidance on disinfection of surfaces.  There is no longer the need for large scale disinfecting of surfaces, such as spraying disinfectant on chairs, desks, church pews.  Rather cleaning with soap and water once a day is recommended except in special circumstances when there are known COVID positive individuals, high levels of transmission within the community or large numbers of people who are not wearing masks.  The CDC guidance is located at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/disinfecting-building-facility.html
• Mental health issues are a challenge during holidays in a normal year and can be worse during the isolation of a pandemic.   If you know someone who is struggling with mental health issues, please share the information on help that is available.    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.  

• All Missourians over the age of 16 are now eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine.
• On April 13, federal agencies called for an immediate pause in the use of the Johnson & Johnson single-dose coronavirus vaccine due to severe adverse reactions in six women age 18 to 48 within six to 13 days of vaccination. As a result, all Bothwell Regional Health Center J&J vaccine clinics have been converted to Pfizer clinics. If the J&J vaccine is reinstated, Bothwell will follow guidelines for administration, which are expected next week.
• Bothwell is hosting a Pfizer vaccine clinic from 8:30 a.m. to noon, April 21 at Bothwell Internal Medicine located on the second floor of the Healing Arts Center at 10^th and Winchester.
• Pfizer booster-only appointments are happening April 22 and 23 at the MEC building on the Missouri State Fairgrounds (note location change from MO-AG Theatre).
• Visit http://www.brhc.org/services/covid-19_vaccine_information.aspx for the schedule of all upcoming vaccine clinics.
• COVID-19 testing is available at the Bothwell Walk In Clinic located on the first floor of the Healing Arts Center. Hours are 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Friday and 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. Saturday.
• Bothwell allows two visitors over the age of 16 at a time per patient between 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. for general hospital units.
•  No visitors will be allowed for patients who are COVID-19 positive or awaiting test results.
• We are also allowing one visitor at a time per patient in the Emergency Department (ED) and surgical areas (same day surgery, general surgery, and labor and delivery).
• Due to the health and safety of our littlest patients, Women's Health and Newborn Care limits visitors to two designated visitors per mother/baby unit.
• The Bothwell Cafeteria is open to visitors during select hours.

• Katy Trail Community Health is doing community COVID testing daily at our Sedalia site.
• Due to increasing COVID positive percentages, more testing is needed to identify a more complete picture of the spread of the virus in the community.   We ask people to participate in the availability of testing at our site. For more information call 877-733-5824 or go to our website at www.katytrailcommunityhealth.org. 
• Katy Trail patients will be vaccinated by appointment. We are providing COVID immunizations at all our locations.   Community members may be vaccinated on Thursday between 1 and 5 pm.  Community members are asked to register on https://covidvaccine.mo.gov/navigator and contact Katy Trail Community Health to request an appointment time.

 
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 1, 2020. The next scheduled briefing will be Monday,
April 26, 2021