Full Notification

PETTIS COUNTY COVID-19 TASK FORCE BRIEFING
August 8, 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 August 1-7, there were 178 new cases reported.  Last week there were 132.
 
As of August 8, there are 13,176 positive cases reported to Pettis County Health Center. The case count per 100,000 for the past 7 days is 484.19/100,000 (through August 4) as compared to 198.4/100,000 last week, using the CDC website.  There were 199 tests done for Pettis County residents last week as compared to 292 the previous week.
 
There are treatments available for those at high risk of serious disease with COVID-19 infection.  Treatment must start as soon as 5 days after the beginning of symptoms.   If you have symptoms and/ or test positive and have a chronic health problem that places you at increased risk for serious disease, call your family doctor quickly.
 
The case counts by age will be posted on the Pettis County Health Center Facebook page and website.
 
As of August 3, there were 1,009 hospitalized in Missouri with COVID as compared to 998 hospitalized with COVID last week.  There are 131 people in ICU as compared to 135 people in ICU last week. 
According to the latest information Omicron accounts for 100% of the variant reported in the sewer shed report.  There are significant increases in Sedalia collection points.    The predominant variant is the BA 4 and 5.   This variant has been reported to be highly contagious.    Information is posted on the DHSS website  https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/f7f5492486114da6b5d6fdc07f81aacf  
Pettis County is currently in the yellow or medium risk category.  The guidance for a medium 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 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                                    50.2% (21,271)                   43.5% (18,430)                   41.4% (7,625)
Age 12 and over                               59.1% (20,909)                   51.4% (18,175)                   41.9% (7,612)
Age 18 and over                               62.1% (19,819)                   54.1% (17,270)                   43.3% (7,476)
Age 65 and over                               80.4% (5,823)                     73.0% (5,290)                     66.9% (3,539)
 
The numbers are from the CDC website.
 
There are 3 individuals currently hospitalized as compared to 2 last week. 
Vaccine is available for everyone 6 months of age and older. Pettis County Health Center has the newest vaccine for children starting at 6 months of age.  The vaccine will be provided on Tuesdays during the regular COVID clinic.  Modern and Pfizer vaccines are now available for younger children.    Contact the Health Center or your family medical provider for information on all types of available vaccine. At this time, Novavax is not currently available at the Health Center.  All vaccines are free at the Health Center.   There is a charge for uninsured at BRHC.    Pettis County Health Center provides vaccine for individuals at home.  Call 660-827-1130 to make arrangements.
Due to the more contagious Omicron variants, a second booster dose is strongly recommended for anyone 50 years of age or older or those with conditions that compromise the immune system 4 months after the 1^st booster.   When a new booster becomes available, those who have received the 4^th booster will be eligible for the new 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.   The new national mental health crisis line 988 is now available. 
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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.
 
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 7 am to 7 pm Monday through Friday and from 10 am to 4 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 outpatient 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. Right now, we have adequate supplies of medication; however, we don’t always receive the quantity requested so availability is on a first-come, first-served basis.
 
 
 
Katy Trail Community Health
Katy Trail Community Health continues to provide free vaccines for community members on Wednesdays and Fridays.  We have vaccine for all ages.  We have N95 masks for anyone in the community and we can test community members at both our 305 West Main and 821 Westwood.  Call 1-877-733-5824 for an appointment.
 
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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

 
 
 
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           

Instructions:

Look for the COVID-19 Task Force Briefing each Monday, beginning June 1, 2020. The next scheduled briefing is Monday, August 15, 2022.