During the COVID-19 Task Force update in Pettis County on Monday, September 28, Pettis County Health Department officials issued a concern.

According to minutes from the meeting, health officials said a disturbing trend has developed. They say people are ignoring when they are placed in quarantine and even in isolation. This is often children who have parents who state that this is all made up and they will not comply. This is verified by pictures on Facebook and other sources showing children and adults who are quarantined or positive posting pictures of their activities outside the home.

Health officials also say another comment that has been heard this week is that all the people who have died were old and were going to die anyway. A significant number of the individuals who have died were living in their own homes or with family.

Health officials also say the positivity rate for the week of September 15-21 has increased to 8.36 percent from 5.39 percent for the week of September 8-14. The goal is to be at 5 percent or lower. There were 145 new cases during the week of September 15-21 as compared to 80 cases for the week of September 8-14. This is the highest weekly total since the pandemic began.

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services in conjunction with the Missouri National Guard will again be offering free community testing on Wednesday, October 7, in the Swine Barn at the Missouri State Fairgrounds. This will be similar to the testing in June. The exact times have not been set. The times will be publicized on the Health Center’s Facebook page, website and through local media.

In other news, officials in the Pettis County Courthouse advised that all monies Pettis County received from the CARES Act have been allocated. They say any applications for COVID-19-related expenditures that have been submitted will be kept on file should Pettis County receive additional funds.