Full Notification

PETTIS COUNTY COVID-19 TASK FORCE BRIEFING
June 6, 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
 
A new website is available for tracking COVID-19 data at the county level.  The CDC site is https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#datatracker-home   The site is primarily updated on Thursday.  Some information is updated daily. The DHSS site is updated on Friday.  https://health.mo.gov/living/healthcondiseases/communicable/novel-coronavirus
 
During the week of May 31-June 5, there were 48 new cases reported, an increase of 12 as compared to 36 new cases last week. 
 
As of June 6 there are 12,194 positive cases reported to Pettis County Health Center as compared to 12,146 positive cases on May 30 and 12,110 positive cases on May 23. The case count per 100,000 for the past 7 days is 75.58/100,000 (through June 4) as compared to 28.34/100,000 last week, using the CDC website.  There were 78 tests done for Pettis County residents last week.
 
The case counts by age will be posted on the Pettis County Health Center Facebook page and website.
 
The Omicron variant is still circulating.  The Omicron BA 2 variant is the dominant variant. Please understand how much of a risk the virus may cause for you and your family and take the appropriate precautions.  There are now multiple variants including BA 2.12, BA 2.12.1, BA 4 and BA 5.
 
The vaccine breakthrough for the week of May 31-June 5 was 29 of 48 (60%) of which 16 were boosted. 
 
There were 6 Influenza cases reported last week, 4 type A and 2 type B.  The total count now is 1085.   During the entire 20-21 influenza season there were less than 10 reported cases. 
 
As of June 1, there were 574 hospitalized in Missouri with COVID as compared to 465 hospitalized with COVID last week.  There are 47 people in ICU as compared to 44 people in ICU last week. 
According to the latest information Omicron accounts for 100% of the variant reported in the sewer shed report.   The viral load for Sedalia is reported as low.   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 green or low risk category.  The guidance for a low risk county is as following: Stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines. Get tested if you have symptoms. Wear a mask on public transportation. Wear a mask if you have symptoms, a positive test, or exposure to someone with COVID-19.  You may choose to wear a mask at any time as an additional precaution to protect yourself and others. If you are at high risk for severe illness, consider wearing a mask indoors in public and taking additional precautions.    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 guidance for testing positive or being exposed continues as follows:   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. The health.mo.gov website has a CDC tracker to determine isolation and quarantine.
The vaccination rate for Pettis County is as follows:
                                                                One dose                            Fully vaccinated                                Up to date with booster
Entire County                                    49.7% (21,052)                   43.1% (18,238)                   40.5% (7,391)
Age 12 and over                               58.6% (20,725)                   50.8% (17,991)                   41.1% (7,388)
Age 18 and over                               61.6% (19,646)                   53.6% (17,098)                   42.5% (7,266)
Age 65 and over                               80.0% (5,792)                     72.2% (5,230)                     66.2% (3,462)
 
The numbers are from the CDC website and do not include a separate category for the 5-17 category.
 
There is 1 individual hospitalized at Bothwell as compared to 1 last week. There were 5 deaths reported last week for a total of 166.  The reports reflected historical reports.  The most recent was May, 2022. The CDC website does not have correct information about deaths in Pettis County   
Vaccine is available for everyone 5 years of age and older. First booster dose is 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, Bothwell Regional Health Center and some pharmacies.
 
All vaccines are free.   Pettis County Health Center provides vaccine for individuals at home.  Call 660-827-1130 to make arrangements.  The Health Center is awaiting orders to start providing boosters for children 5-11.
 
A second booster dose is available for anyone 50 years of age or older or those with conditions that compromise the immune system 4 months after the 1^st booster.
 
Pettis County Health Center has regular walk in clinics on Tuesdays from 9-5:15 pm.   We are available to provide vaccine to individuals at home 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
  
Mask Policy for Visitors
Surgical-grade or higher masks are required to be worn by everyone in public and patient care areas of the hospital and clinics regardless of vaccination status. Because Pettis County’s Covid-19 community transmission rate is currently moderate, hospital visitors may choose to remove their masks while in a patient room if both patient and visitor are fully vaccinated.
 
Visiting hours are 8 am to 8 pm and the southwest doors are open from 6 am to 2:30 pm Monday through Friday for patients, visitors and employees. All visitor guidelines can be found at brhc.org/visitors
 
Covid-19 Testing
Free at-home Covid-19 test kits are available for pickup at Bothwell Walk In Clinic located on the first floor of the Bothwell Healing Arts Center at 3700 W. 10^th Street in Sedalia. Hours are 7 am to 7 pm Monday through Friday and 10 am to 4 pm Saturday. Results from at-home tests are known in about 15 minutes.
 
Staff at the Walk In Clinic also administer standard PCR Covid-19 tests from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm and 1:30 to 5 pm Monday through Friday and from 10 am to 1 pm Saturday. To register for a standard PCR Covid-19 test, call the clinic at 660-827-7900 and once at the clinic, wait to be called to go inside for the test. Results are available in about 24 hours.
 
Covid-19 Outpatient Treatment
People who test positive who have a particularly high risk of progressing to more severe disease need a prescription/order from a local physician for treatment. 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.
 
Second Boosters for Certain Individuals
A second booster dose of the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine may be administered to all individuals 50 years and older and to moderately to severely immune compromised individuals 12 years and older. Those who are eligible may receive a second booster dose at least four months after their initial booster dose to increase their protection against severe disease from Covid-19. Adults aged 18 to 49 who received the Johnson & Johnson primary and booster vaccine who are not moderately or severely immunocompromised may receive a booster dose of a Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine at least four months after their last dose.
 
Vaccine Availability
People who want the Pfizer two-dose primary vaccine series or a booster dose can visit the Bothwell Walk In Clinic during normal operating hours. There is no charge for the vaccine; however, a $40 administration fee is charged for those without insurance coverage.
 
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 on Thursdays by calling 660.829.5852 or 660.829.8888 or at Bothwell Health Center-Truman Lake in Warsaw from 8 am to 4 pm on Fridays by calling 660.438.6800.
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Katy Trail Community Health
 Katy Trail Community Health is testing and vaccinating patients at both of our sites:  821 Westwood and 305 West Main.  We are providing vaccines and tests to community members on Wednesdays and Fridays at 816 Westwood.  In addition, Katy Trail Community Health is distributing N95 masks and at home antigen tests to anyone who wants them.  We are requiring all patients and visitors over the age of 2 years to use a mask in our clinic locations. 
 
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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

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  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, June 13, 2022.