Even though vaccine is becoming available, residents still need to wear masks, practice social distancing and wash their hands, according to Pettis County Healthcare officials.

They say, “Vaccine protects the person immunized, and the science has not completely determined if an immunized person can spread the virus. We need to reach at least 75 percent immunization rate to be able to relax these precautions.”

During the meetign of the Pettis County COVID-19 Task Force, they said testing is available without cost in the community. Check with Bothwell Regional Health Center and Katy Trail Community Health if you have concerns about cost.

Officials also say, “We need for people to continue to be tested, so those with the virus can isolate for 10 days to protect others. Exposed people need to continue to quarantine for 14 days.”

Free COVID-19 testing is available at Katy Trail Community Health in Sedalia from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday, February 12.

New research is indicating that residents do not need to be as focused on continual disinfecting of surfaces. There is no evidence of transmission from surfaces in normal conditions. Research in hospitals where COVID positive patients are being cared for has not been able to identify the virus capable of causing disease.