Full Notification

PETTIS COUNTY COVID-19 TASK FORCE BRIEFING
February 28, 2022

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.
 
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
Pettis County Health Department
As of February 28 there are 11,789 positive cases reported as compared to 11,753 positive cases reported on February 22 and 11,670 positive cases reported on February 14.  This is an increase of 36 cases in the past week and 119 cases in the past 2 weeks.  There are a number of cases that are being reported without lab data, so the weekly count is underestimating those results. The DHSS website is posting 11,804 positive cases for Pettis County.  The DHSS website is reporting Pettis County has a positivity rate of 6.3% for the past7 days as compared to 15.6% for last week with PCR testing.  The case count per 100,000 for the past 7 days is 38/100,000. This week there were 406 PCR tests and 222 antigen tests for a total of 628. Last week there were 1019 tests. At this time, the counts do not include home test results.   
 
The case counts by age will be posted on the Pettis County Health Center Facebook page and website.
 
The vaccine breakthrough for the week ending February 27 is 25 out of 50 cases counted for a breakthrough rate of 50%.  Of the vaccinated cases, 10 had received a booster dose. 
 
Influenza cases continue to increase. As of February 28 there were 704 cases of influenza reported.    During the entire 20-21 influenza season there were less than 10 reported cases. 
 
As of Friday, there were 1323 hospitalized in Missouri with COVID as compared to 1645 hospitalized with COVID last week.  There are 247 people in ICU as compared to 333 people in ICU last week. 
According to the latest information Omicron accounts for 100% of the variant reported in the sewer shed report.   No report of the sub type Omicron variant are noted.   Information is posted on the DHSS website  https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/f7f5492486114da6b5d6fdc07f81aacf
The CDC has released new guidance regarding mask wearing based upon the risk for your county.  Pettis County is currently in the yellow or medium risk category.  The guidance for a medium risk county is as follows:  If you are at high risk for severe illness, talk to your healthcare provider about whether you need to wear a mask and take other precautions, stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines and Get tested if you have symptoms.  Information about the risk factor assessment, can be found at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/covid-by-county.html
The CDC has changed the guidance on staying home.  Everyone who tests positive needs to stay home for 5 days from the test date then wear a mask for 5 more days if they have no symptoms or significantly improved symptoms.  Everyone who is still ill or has a fever must stay home until symptoms get better.   For individuals who are exposed to a positive case (within 6 feet for 15 minutes or more in a 24 hour period of time) – fully vaccinated individuals (this includes having a booster more than 2 weeks ago or within the first 5 months after completing the 2 dose series or 2 months for the 1 dose series) must wear a mask around others for 10 days and should test at day 5 after the last exposure.   For the unvaccinated or eligible people who have not had a booster, stay home for 5 days and wear a mask when around other people for another 5 days.  If you develop symptoms, get a test and stay home.  This information is particularly important for people using home tests where the Health Center staff will not be speaking with individuals who do not report home tests.
There are 4 individuals hospitalized at Bothwell as compared to 10 last week.  There are no patients on a ventilator.  Sixty percent (50%) of those hospitalized were not vaccinated.

The DHSS website reports 120 deaths in Pettis County with a confirmed PCR test and 31 deaths with a positive antigen test.  This is an increase of 6 since last week.  Three additional cases were reported this week
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Approximately 47.1 % of the population of Pettis County residents have started vaccination.   According to the state website, 19,943 Pettis County residents have started vaccination and 17,888 have had at least 2 doses which is approximately 42.2% of the population.  Pettis County is falling behind the state rate of 63.2% have started vaccination and 56.1% have received at least 2 doses.  The state is reporting 74.2% of the population over 18 has started and 66.1% have received at least 2 doses.   For Pettis County 58.7% of the population 18+ have started vaccination (18,714) and 52.8% (16,845 have received at least 2 doses.   According to the DHSS website, 16.2% (1227) of 5-17 year olds have started vaccination and 13.6% (1042) have received 2 doses.  For the 65+ age group, 79.9% (5791) have started vaccination and 72.9 % (5278) have received at least 2 doses. Only 113 Pettis County residents received a vaccine last week. The updated vaccination page is https://health.mo.gov/living/healthcondiseases/communicable/novel-coronavirus/data/public-health/vaccine-county.php
Vaccine is available for everyone 5 years of age and older.  Booster doses given 5 months after the last dose for Pfizer or Moderna vaccines or 2 months after the J & J vaccine are available for those 12 years and older through Pettis County Health Center, Katy Trail Community Health and Bothwell Regional Health Center.   All vaccines are free.   Pettis County Health Center provides vaccine for homebound individuals.  Call 660-827-1130 to make arrangements.  Pettis County Health Center will be the only regular source for Moderna vaccine.
Pettis County Health Center has regular walk in clinics on Tuesdays from 9-5:30 pm.   We are available to provide vaccine to homebound individuals and at places of employment.   If there is an increased demand for vaccine, we will provide additional opportunities.  We encourage people who have not received a booster to bring their vaccination status up to date.
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.  
  
Bothwell Regional Health Center
 
Visitor Policy Relaxed
Beginning Wednesday, March 2, Bothwell Regional Health Center will relax its visitor restrictions in the hospital and clinics and return to pre-Covid-19 visiting hours in the hospital. While the CDC has relaxed masking in indoor settings for communities, the guidance does not apply to health care settings where universal masking is still required.
 
There will be no restrictions on the number of visitors for Covid-negative patients in inpatient nursing units in the hospital and visiting hours will return to 8 am to 8 pm.
 
Visitors will continue to not be allowed for hospital patients who are Covid-19 positive or awaiting test results. Exceptions may be made for care purposes, end-of-life, special circumstances or patients who are children or who have disabilities.
 
The Emergency Department and Same-Day Surgery will allow one visitor at a time per patient at bedside due to space constraints. Cancer Center outpatients may have one support person at a time in the cancer infusion locations.
 
Women’s Health and Newborn Care has differing policies for its three units that include Labor and Delivery, postpartum room and NICU depending on a patient’s health status. In Labor and Delivery, Covid-negative patients may designate two birth support persons who are welcome at all times. Covid-positive patients may designate one birth support person who is welcome at all times. These designated individuals must remain the same throughout the labor and delivery process. Covid testing for birth support persons has been suspended.
 
Once Labor and Delivery patients have been transferred to postpartum rooms, Covid-negative patients may have unlimited visitors with a maximum of three people recommended in the room at one time. Covid-positive patients may have only their one designated birth support person that was present in Labor and Delivery. Only the mother and her primary designated support person is allowed in the NICU Nursery.
 
All visitors should enter the hospital through the main entrance. Upon entering the hospital, all visitors are required to wear a surgical-grade or higher mask or will be given a mask and asked to wear it throughout their visit per CDC recommendations for universal masking in health care settings. Visitors should practice good hand hygiene, social distancing and take precautions when in contact with others. People who feel ill or have virus-like symptoms should not visit patients in the hospital.
 
The hospital’s Southwest doors will remain closed except for Cardiac Rehab patients arriving for designated appointments.
 
Visitors may also accompany outpatient clinic patients; however, patients and guests are still required to wear surgical-grade or higher masks when inside clinic buildings.
 
The Bothwell Cafeteria is open to employees, volunteers and patient visitors.  
 
 
Covid-19 Outpatient Treatment Process Change
Due to a decrease in demand for outpatient Covid-19 treatments, Bothwell is closing its centralized outpatient management clinic and treatments will instead be ordered by local physicians from their clinics. Treatment is for people with a confirmed positive Covid-19 test who have a particularly high risk of progressing to more severe disease. These medications can significantly reduce the risk of deterioration, but only if used soon after onset of symptoms. By the time a patient’s condition has worsened, it is too late to use these preventative treatments. 
 
People who test positive need a prescription/order from a local physician. Contact your health care professional as quickly as possible after testing positive. Two of the medications can only be started within five days of onset of symptoms. People can no longer self-refer for infusions by calling the hospital.
 
 
Vaccine Clinics
This week’s Covid-19 vaccine clinic for the Pfizer two-dose primary series and booster doses is from 9:30-11:30 am Wednesday, March 2 at Bothwell Healing Arts Center on the second floor. People may walk in; however, appointments are encouraged by calling 660-829-8888 or scheduling in Bothwell’s patient portal, MyBothwellHealth at www.brhc.org/portal or in the MHealth app. There is no charge for the vaccine. Due to decreased demand, Bothwell is no longer offering the Moderna vaccine. People who want the Moderna vaccine should instead contact Pettis County Health Center, Katy Trail Community Health or retail pharmacies that offer vaccines.
 
Full vaccination and keeping up to date with a booster as soon as eligible remain the most effective actions to greatly decrease the likelihood of severe illness if infection occurs.
 
The Pfizer vaccine is available for children aged 5 to 11. People who want the vaccine for their child in that age group can make appointments at Bothwell TLC Pediatrics from 8 am to 5 pm Monday through Friday by calling 660.829.5852 or 660.829.8888 or at Bothwell Health Center-Truman Lake in Warsaw from 7 am to 6 pm Fridays by calling 660.438.6800.
 
Visit www.brhc.org/vaccine for all clinic locations and dates.
 
 
Katy Trail Community Health
Katy Trail Community Health Is providing Pfizer, Moderna and J&J vaccine to community members on Wednesdays and Fridays from 1 pm to 6 pm at 816 Westwood Drive.  Please go to www.katyhealth.org to schedule your vaccine.   Testing appointments are available on line at our website.  It is open Monday through Saturday. 
 
Pettis County Ambulance District (PCAD)
Please note the following temporary visitor policy change at all PCAD EMS operational stations (Headquarters / Station 1, TT Highway / Station 2, and Windsor / Station 5):

• Visitors are restricted to individuals conducting PCAD business only, including bill payments. Masks are required for any such visitor when indoors; surgical masks will be made available to visitors at every public entrance to PCAD buildings

 
 
 
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

Instructions:

Look for the COVID-19 Task Force Briefing each Monday, beginning June 1, 2020. The next scheduled briefing is Monday, March 7. 2022.