A Public Health Alert was issued on Thursday for Lafayette County.
This alert has been issued due to the ongoing declared Public Health Emergency related to the COVID-19 coronavirus, and; a 56% increase of positive cases in the past 30 days in Lafayette County; public schools planning to reopen as soon as August 24; a significant portion (40-45%) of individuals with the coronavirus lacking symptoms but can still transmit the virus to others, and; the significant lag in receipt of test results, and indications that community practices have not been adequate to slow the spread of COVID-19.
The Lafayette County Public Health Officer, Lafayette County Health Department Board of Trustees, and the Lafayette County Commissioners issued a County-Wide Public Health Alert that states; in accordance with CDC guidance and the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, individuals in Lafayette County are strongly cautioned to  wear a cloth face covering when in a public setting where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain, especially in areas of significant community-based transmission. Any person with a medical condition, mental health condition, or disability that prevents them from wearing a mask should avoid public places as much as possible. Children under the age of 2 should never wear face coverings.
Parties and social gatherings involving those outside your immediate household should be avoided. If you must be in public or private settings involving such gatherings, the use of face coverings is strongly cautioned in conjunction with the other health recommendations already in place, such as maintaining 6 feet of distance from other people, using proper cough/sneeze etiquette, frequent hand-washing, and avoiding touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Individuals who are sick, or have close contact with someone who is sick, should stay home.