Full Notification

PETTIS COUNTY COVID-19 TASK FORCE
BRIEFING
OCTOBER 26, 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 October 26, 2020 there are 1727 reported cases as compared to 1567 reported cases on October 19, with 397 active cases.  This is an increase of 160 cases.  There were 1373 cases reported on October 12.  This is an increase of 20.4% in the past 2 weeks.  Currently 26 Pettis County residents have died.    
• Cold weather and snow will bring more people indoors with less fresh air and more opportunity to spread the virus.   If possible, opening the windows for a brief period of time once or twice a day allows fresh air in to help dilute the amount of virus particles circulating in indoor air.  Also, when traveling in a vehicle with another person, crack the window slightly to allow fresh air to enter the car.
• The positive percentage for the week of October 15-21 is 16.02% which is an all time high for our county.  The positivity rate for October 8-14 was 14.19% and October 1-7 was 7.82% .  The CDC has our positivity rate at 16.6%.   The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services is using a different method of calculating positivity rate which results in a much higher rate.   We are using the same method as has been used since the beginning of the pandemic to remain consistent in our reporting.  The average daily case count is as follows:   March 0.2, April 1.43, May 1.1, June 1.63, July (all capacity  restrictions lifted on June 16) 9.84, August 11.19, September 13.77 and October 21.63
• For individuals who may be in isolation or quarantine due to COVID-19, please contact the County Clerk’s Office at 660-826-5000 ext 918 to discuss issues related to voting on November 3.
• As a reminder, the face covering rule is still in place for Pettis County.   There has been no court ruling to overturn the rule.    As our case numbers continue to climb as well as our hospitalizations, wearing a face covering is a way to demonstrate that you care about those you meet and support life for everyone.    There is no way of knowing for certain who will become seriously ill or die because of the coronavirus.    The youngest currently hospitalized patient is 19.
• 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.
• The clusters of positive cases in the county continue to increase.  We often feel safe with people we know and see frequently.   What we do not know and can not tell by looking at a person is if that individual has been in contact with a positive case and may be infectious.  Please wear a mask, practice social distancing, use good hand washing/sanitizing and if you think you may have been exposed or have symptoms, please be tested.  We have good testing opportunities in this community.
• With Halloween quickly approaching, there is serious concern this will serve as a significant source of spread in the community.  There is information on the CDC website for reducing the risk of coronavirus transmission during the holiday.

• · Avoid direct contact with trick-or-treaters.
• · Give out treats outdoors, if possible.
• · Set up a station with individually bagged treats for kids to take.
• · Wash hands before handling treats.
• · Make your cloth mask part of your costume.
• · A costume mask is not a substitute for a cloth mask.
• · Do NOT wear a costume mask over a cloth mask. It can make breathing more difficult.
• Masks should NOT be worn by children under the age of 2 or anyone who has trouble breathing
• Wash your hands
• Bring hand sanitizer with you and use it after touching objects or other people.
• · Use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
• · Parents: supervise young children using hand sanitizer.

• Bothwell has 24 hospitalized COVID patients at this time.
• Effective 10/22/2020, visitors are restricted to 1 patient identified designated visitor per patient stay. This is to limit the number of individuals that enter the facility to keep our patients, employees and other visitors safe as our community continues to see increases in COVID positive cases.
• 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.
• We encourage our community to continue to follow the mask rule in place and wear your mask while in public.
• Bothwell Walk In Clinic (located at 3700 W. 10th St. in Sedalia) continues to provide COVID-19 PCR curbside testing for all individuals. Please be patient as testing is on a first come bases 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.

 
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.m

Instructions:

Look for the COVID-19 Task Force Briefing each Monday, beginning Monday, June 1st. The next briefing will be Monday, November 2, 2020