Full Notification

PETTIS COUNTY COVID-19 TASK FORCE BRIEFING
August 22, 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 15-21, there were 128 new cases reported.  Last week there were 92.
 
As of August 22, there are 13,396 positive cases reported to Pettis County Health Center. The case count per 100,000 for the past 7 days is 255.08/100,000 (through August 18) as compared to 325.94/100,000 last week, using the CDC website.  There were 116 tests done for Pettis County residents last week as compared to 98 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 17, there were 877 hospitalized in Missouri with COVID as compared to 967 hospitalized with COVID last week.  There are 90 people in ICU as compared to 118 people in ICU last week. 
According to the latest information Omicron accounts for 100% of the variant reported in the sewer shed report.   The predominant variant is the BA 4 and 5.  On the state level, BA 4.6 is now part of the variant pattern.  BA 5 remains the largest variant.  BA 2.12.1 is also included 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 red or high risk category.  The guidance for a high 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 and in indoor spaces. 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 a positive COVID test result has changed.  The new guidance is as follows:    Everyone who tests positive needs to stay home for 5 days from the day after 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 then wear a mask for a total of 10 days.   For individuals who are exposed to a positive case, wear a mask for 10 days, getting tested after 5 days.   If you develop symptoms, get a test and stay home.  You may report positive home tests to the Health Center at 660-827-1130.
The vaccination rate for Pettis County is as follows:
                                                                One dose                            Fully vaccinated                                Up to date with booster
Entire County                                    50.4% (21,321)                   43.6% (18,478)                   41.5% (7,671)
Age 12 and over                               59.2% (20,950)                   51.5% (18,214)                   42.0% (7,655)
Age 18 and over                               62.3% (19,858)                   54.3% (17,306)                   43.4% (7,517)
Age 65 and over                               80.5% (5,822)                     73.1% (5,297)                     67.0% (3,547)
 
The numbers are from the CDC website.
 
There are 4 individuals currently hospitalized as compared to 7 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. 
 
Bothwell Regional Health Center
Mask Policy for Visitors
The new CDC mask recommendations are for general community settings; however, there have been no changes in mask use in health care facilities. As a result, surgical-grade or higher masks continue to be 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 Vaccine
Bothwell continues to administer the primary series and booster doses of the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine to all eligible populations. For all details, visit brhc.org/vaccine.
 
CHILDREN SIX MONTHS TO 11 YEARS OLD (Pfizer)
By Appointment
• Bothwell TLC Pediatrics in Sedalia, 660.829.5852 on Thursdays from 8 am to 5 pm
• Bothwell Health Center–Truman Lake in Warsaw, 660.438.6800 on Fridays from 8 am to 4 pm
 
ADULTS AND CHILDREN 12 YEARS AND OLDER (Pfizer)
Walk In
• Bothwell Walk In Clinic, 3700 W. 10th St., Sedalia
7 am to 7 pm, Monday–Friday and 10 am to 4 pm, Saturday
Wait time will depend upon patient volume
 
By Appointment with a nurse at these clinics:
• Bothwell TLC Pediatrics in Sedalia, 660.829.5852
• Bothwell Health Center–Truman Lake in Warsaw, 660.438.6800
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. These are investigative medicines used to treat Covid-19 in high-risk patients and have varying levels of effectiveness and varying costs to patients.
 
At this time, oral antiviral tablets are provided at no cost to patients. Due to federal changes in the distribution of medications, monoclonal antibody or antiviral infusion treatments are no longer provided at no cost to patients and costs range from $4,200 to $5,275. People are encouraged to check with their insurance provider to determine if the cost of any monoclonal antibody or antiviral infusion treatments will be covered.
 
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.
 
 
 
 
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, August 29, 2022.