Due to COVID-19 active positive cases continuing to increase across Lafayette County over the past couple of months, the Lafayette County Health Department and the Lafayette County Board of Trustees issued a county-wide Public Health Alert that began Thursday, October 1.

A release from the health department says this health alert will replace the county-wide Mask Mandate that expired on September 30.

The Public Health Alert will stay in place until the state emergency within the State of Missouri is retracted or until deemed necessary to replace with additional forms of safety precautions.

Officials say due to the increase in active positive cases, it was a difficult decision to revert to a Health Alert and allow the Mask Mandate to expire. “We believe the citizens of Lafayette County are caring, responsible and have a strong sense of community, therefore, we ask each individual to take personal responsibility for their actions to protect others and prevent the spread of this disease in our communities. COVID-19 is an unfamiliar virus that has not been studied for years like influenza and other common respiratory viruses. COVID-19 is a new mutation, less than a year old, with a much higher rate of transmission and illness, and the long-term effects are still unknown.”

The release continues, “Corporations, business owners, agencies and schools who have incorporated their own face covering policies independently of the order are to be applauded for their concern for the welfare of our citizens. We urge all others to continue the face covering policies under this alert, until such time it can be lifted. Any municipalities that are willing and able to create a mask mandate for their jurisdictions are encouraged to do so.”

Face coverings help prevent individuals who have COVID-19 from spreading the virus to others, and are most likely to reduce the spread of COVID-19 when they are widely used by individuals in public settings. A face covering should not replace social distancing, but used as an additional layer of protection.

The Alert urgently recommends each individual within Lafayette County take safety precautions, specifically wearing face coverings in public- both inside and outside- to mitigate the risk and slow the spread of COVID-19.

• Wear a face covering when in a public setting (including but not limited to grocery stores, pharmacies, businesses/organizations, place of worship, schools, school spectator events); and •Wear a face covering anytime when social-distancing measures are difficult to maintain; and •Maintain a safe distance of at least six feet from others; and •Avoid parties and social gatherings involving anyone from outside the immediate household; and •Continue other measures such as hand washing and cleaning/disinfecting frequently touched surfaces.