The Pettis County COVID-19 Task Force met for a briefing on Monday, April 13.
According to a news release, the meetings are held to communicate openly with county residents. This compilation of information from essential government service providers within the county will be disseminated on Mondays and Thursdays. This briefing will continue to be provided throughout the COVID-19 event.
HEALTHCARE:
Pettis County Health Center
· The confirmed cases in Pettis County remain at three. The fourth case that was posted on Friday belonged to another county; and the state website has been corrected.
· As of noon on Friday, April 10, there were 160 people tested in Pettis County for the week of April 6, for a total of 276 cases since testing began.
· The health center is currently monitoring nine contacts.
· Two people have recovered.
· For those choosing to wear a mask, remember that the mask protects other people from your coughs and sneezes. Try to wear a mask with four layers or has another filter layer in the middle. Do not touch the front of the mask – remove by the straps that go over the ears and wash frequently.
· Be sure the mask covers your mouth and nose.
Bothwell Regional Health Center
· Virtual visits are available for Bothwell patients. Patients have found these visits useful; and over the last few weeks, Bothwell has provided over 300 visits for our patients.
· Starting this week, Bothwell will also begin to offer Virtual Evaluations for its Emergency Room patients.
· Visit brhc.org for more information.
Katy Trail Community Health
· Katy Trail Community Health will begin community testing on April 14. Testing will be available on an appointment basis, and an order from a healthcare provider is required. For people who do not have a primary-care doctor, a virtual appointment with Katy Trail Community Health can be arranged by calling (877) 733-5824.
· Testing will be available in Sedalia from 9 a.m. to noon Mondays-Fridays. All physicians and nurse practitioners in the area have received a letter regarding how to submit an order for testing. When the order is received, the individual will be contacted by Katy Trail Community Health staff to set up an appointment.
· The criteria for testing has been expanded to include people who are immunocompromised; healthcare employees; people 65 years of age or older; people with chronic health conditions such as diabetes, heart problems, respiratory problems, kidney disease and cancer; women who are pregnant or up to two weeks after delivery; people who live in group homes, longterm-care or other group settings; homeless people; people who use prednisone for long periods of time; and people with a fever, cough and shortness of breath.
· Testing also will be available at Katy Trail Community Health in Warsaw, Versailles and Marshall on a different schedule.
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Pettis County Ambulance District (PCAD)
· A reminder- if there is a need to perform CPR call 9-1-1 to get help on the way and only do chest compressions. Chest compressions alone will provide enough circulation until help arrives.
GOVERNMENT:
Sedalia/Pettis County Emergency Management Agency (EMA)
The Sedalia-Pettis County Emergency Management Agency aides with Regional Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Distribution
· The Missouri State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) distributed all of the supplies for Region A to the Kansas City Office of Emergency Management. In turn, the Sedalia-Pettis County Emergency Management Agency transported and distributed supplies to local Law enforcement and fire departments in Pettis County.
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County of Pettis
· The Recorder’s Office has changed its hours to 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Call (660) 826-5000, ext. 922 before coming into the office. Many needs can be met by phone or online. Only two people at any one time are allowed in the Recorder’s Office outer area.
· The Research Room is closed to the public. If you have a need for a document that is not available online, you may contact the office to search for you. If you have a critical need to conduct research, the office will do its best to make arrangements for you.
· Marriage License Applications are issued by appointment only. These changes are in effect from April 13-30.
· Until further notice, the Public Administrator’s Office will not be performing Notary Services unless absolutely necessary. Call (660) 826-5000, ext. 434 with any questions.
· Precautionary measures that are limiting staff and hours for the County Offices will remain in effect through April 30 as per the new guidelines.
· Call the particular office with any questions.
· Phone numbers for all offices may be found on the county website: pettiscomo.com Directory or Elected Offices.
· Otherwise, utilize online, mail, e-mail, and Drop Box options.
City of Sedalia
· The City of Sedalia continues to monitor the situation closely. Efforts continue to have all citizens comply with guidance and orders as they are issued. Last week, the city worked directly with retail businesses that are subject to the reduced-occupancy requirements contained in the Governor’s order issued April 3, assisting them in interpretation as it applies to our community specifically and bringing them in compliance.
· The city has been disseminating information about assistance programs to help its local small businesses survive.
· The City help assistance line – 851-7686- continues and the city is experiencing an increase in calls.
· City facilities continue to have limited access and are being controlled to comply with social-distancing and disinfection guidance.
· The city continues to be on the job to keep essential services going protecting citizens, while at the same time doing its part in slowing the spread of COVID-19, while at the same time doing its part in slowing the spread of COVID-19.
FIRST RESPONDERS:
Pettis County Sheriff’s Office
· The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is warning taxpayers of a new wave of phishing calls and messages designed to trick victims into handing over financial details by capitalizing on the COVID-19 pandemic.
· New Phishing Attack tells the recipient they may have contracted COVID-19. In this campaign, the phishing e-mails pretend to be from a local hospital informing the recipient that they were exposed to the Coronavirus, and that immediate testing needs to be done. The e-mail then asks the recipient to take a print of the attached EmergencyContact.xlsm, the malware-loaded document. Enabling content activates the malicious macros and malware gets downloaded on the system.
· Continue to watch out for e-mails, digital advertisements or websites concerning COVID-19 containing malicious code, documents, links or phishing forms.
Sedalia Police Department
· The Sedalia Police Department is continuing operations but adding additional use of personal protective equipment to limit individual exposure.
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Sedalia Fire Department
· Total call volume is slightly lower, but fire calls are a little higher.
· The department continues to obtain supplies and are distributing them to other city departments.
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Pettis County 911 Board
Based on the recommendations from the Missouri 9-1-1 Service Board, the following questions have been added to 9-1-1 calls that require an emergency service provider to be in contact with the public.
· Do you or anyone in your home have currently have or have had a fever in the last 14 days?
· Do you or anyone inside your home currently have or have had coughing or difficult breathing in the last 14 days?
· Have you or anyone in your home traveled outside of the state in the last 14 days?
· Have you or anyone in your home been tested for COVID-19 and received a positive test notification, or are you or anyone in your home awaiting a COVID-19 test result?
· Are you or anyone in your home currently on a quarantine?
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OTHER AGENCIES:
Pettis County Jail
· Urges you to not visit the jail if you are sick.
· Remote visitations continue for visitors of inmates at the jail.
· Court appearances continue to be conducted via video at the jail.
· Accommodations for attorney/inmate visitations; parole/probation officers/inmate visitations; bonding company representatives-inmate visitations are provided for at jail.
· Updating of sex-offender registrations continue at the counter of lobby at the jail.
· While in the jail lobby awaiting visitation, you are urged to practice social distancing- at least six feet away from other individuals.
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Pettis County Coroner
· The health and safety of all of the county’s citizens is always its top priority. As Coroner, I am faced with meeting normal duties along with protecting the staff, first responders (ambulance, fire, law enforcement), and funeral-home staff. The funeral-home staff will be critical during these trying times.
· The coroner is working on protocol for responses to nursing homes and hospitals.
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IT Administrator
Avoid Coronavirus Scams
· Don’t respond to texts, e-mails or calls about checks from the government. The details are still coming together.
· Ignore online offers for vaccinations and home test kits. There are no products proven to treat nor prevent COVID-19 at this time.
· Hang up on robocalls. Scammers are using illegal robocalls to pitch everything from low-priced health insurance to work-at-home schemes.
· Watch for e-mails claiming to be from the CDC or WHO. Use sites like coronavirus.gov and usa.gov/coronavirus to get the latest information.
· Don’t click on links from sources you don’t know.
Do your homework when it comes to donations. Never donate in cash, by gift card, or by wiring money.