Some COVID-19 restrictions have been relaxed in the area. However, health officials say precautions still need to be taken in certain circumstances.

During the Pettis County COVID-19 Task Force meeting on Monday, June 14, health officials pointed out fully-vaccinated individuals may go without a face covering in most places with the exception of hospitals, clinics, congregate-care settings, airplanes, trains and buses, according to CDC guidance

The CDC update is available at <https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/fully-vaccinated.html>.

Many people believe they are safe without a mask. The new variants make unvaccinated people at increased risk of infection.

There are three individuals hospitalized at Bothwell Regional Health Center. Last week, there were two. The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services website revised the reported number of deaths in Pettis County to 77.

In accordance with the options provided by the CDC, non-household contacts may be released from quarantine at day seven after the last exposure, provided the individual is tested no sooner than day five after exposure, and the results are provided to the Pettis County Health Center. Additional steps must be taken for the full 14 days after exposure.

The quarantine period for household contacts does not change, as most transmission is occurring within households/family groups. There is not a provision in the CDC guidance or state guidance for “testing out of quarantine”. Isolation of positive cases remains at 10 days.

Fully vaccinated individuals do not need to quarantine.