The number of COVID 19 patients in Springfield is causing trouble for our regional hospitals.

CoxHealth CEO Steve Edwards tells KY 3 TV they’re overloaded because of a special rule called a “Forced Open.”

That includes transfers from Lake Regional.

Officials say rural hospitals like the Lake Area care facilities, are having to either handle the situation in house, or send patients to a hospital that can handle it in Kansas City, St. Louis or even another state.

Similar situations are beginning to occur in Columbia and Jefferson City as well.

Researchers in Britain are looking at whether aspirin may be a possible treatment for COVID 19.

They say the common painkiller is also used as a blood thinner, and that’s what interests’ researchers, because COVID 19 patients are at higher risk of blood clots.

This is part of the British recovery trial that has already shown a cheap and widely available steroid can help save the lives of patients seriously ill with covid 19.

From our news partner CBS Radio and WebMD:

Public schools throughout Missouri may soon get a rapid COVID-19 antigen test for students.

According to officials at the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, the tests can provide a result within 15 minutes.

They say that districts must request these tests by Wednesday at Noon to get one.

Already 180 districts across the state have submitted their request for the new tests.

DESE officials expect the tests to be delivered by the end of the month.

For more information on the tests, see below:

The latest weekly report from the Missouri Hospital Association shows ventilator capacity nearing the red zone.

Officials say the recommended capacity is 22 ventilators per 100,000 people, but Missouri is currently at 24 machines per 100,000 people.

The association says the state has 1,665 ventilators available out of the 2,384 machines they have in stock.

Additionally, the report shows ICU availability at 30.57% and regular beds at 41.71%.

The state of Missouri is revising its long-term care facility rules for Essential Caregivers.

Officials say now established essential caregivers can resume general visits both inside and outside a nursing home or special needs facility.

The new guidance recommends ways to safely facilitate visits, including using proper PPE and following CDC Guidelines.

The rule also states that only five visitors may be designated for each resident, with only two people allowed to be present at any given time, by appointment only.

Missouri Releases Revised Guidance to Safely Reunite Families with Loved Ones in Long-Term Care Facilities

(JEFFERSON CITY, MO) – This week, the state released revised guidance for long-term care facilities in Missouri that choose to establish an Essential Caregiver program and/or resume general visits either inside or outside the facility.

Facilities should have a policy in place to determine how contact with loved ones can occur while protecting the health of residents. Each facility will ultimately make the decision as to whether or not to adopt this guidance.

“COVID-19 has had a major impact on our most vulnerable citizens and their families,” Governor Mike Parson said. “We have worked hard to strengthen our prevention and mitigation strategies in long-term care facilities, and we understand the importance of spending time in-person with families and caregivers. These visits serve as an important part of  residents’ overall well-being.”

When COVID-19 first knowingly entered the United States in January, it was quickly discovered that those living in long-term care facilities were at a higher risk for contracting the virus. Health officials began to see the virus impact Missouri long-term care facilities in late March. Since that time, more than 650 Missouri long-term care facilities have reported at least one case among staff or residents. 

On May 18,  Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) Director Dr. Randall Williams issued an order requiring congregate living facilities, including long-term care, to report to DHSS within 24 hours when a positive test result is received among staff or residents.

Additionally, increased testing capacity in Missouri allowed the state to execute new strategies for addressing outbreaks early or before they start and arrange for comprehensive testing. The “boxed in” testing strategy has been implemented in 586 facilities since May 18 and has been effective at decreasing morbidity and mortality. 

“With increased resources and knowledge of the virus and its impacts as well as the hard work of so many Missourians, we are thankful to reunite residents with their families,” Director Williams said. “Like our federal partners, we believe allowing contact with loved ones and residents of our long-term care facilities is important to overall health especially after a prolonged separation.”

The new guidance, which recommends ways to safely facilitate visits in long-term care facilities, will supplement the state’s guidance issued for facilities in June. In accordance with newly revised federal guidance from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, facilities must allow visits by outside health care providers and the Ombudsman program. Infection control, screening guidelines, and proper PPE use must be in place. 

Facilities that have not had any cases of COVID-19 among staff or residents, or those that have not had a facility-acquired case in the past 14 days, are able to allow general indoor visits for residents who do not or are not suspected to have COVID-19 (or who have been released from isolation).

Outdoor visits may occur in any facility for residents who do not or are not suspected to have COVID-19 (or who have been released from isolation). The guidelines dictate that five visitors may be designated for each resident, with two allowed to be present at a given time by appointment and with social distancing being practiced. Proper hand hygiene and face coverings should be used. 

“I am grateful for the opportunity to work with legislators, DHSS, the Missouri Health Care Association, families, and other interested parties to craft guidance which acknowledges the vulnerability of nursing home populations,” said Lieutenant Governor Mike Kehoe. “This responsive and responsible plan will help repair COVID’s impact of loneliness and isolation by providing options to help improve mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual health.” 

The Missouri Health Care Association is Missouri’s largest association of licensed, long-term health care facilities, residential care facilities, and assisted living facilities and is dedicated to improving quality of life for the residents of long term care.

“We appreciate all the work done by the Governor, Lieutenant Governor and DHSS to put together a responsible plan that allows for the safest visitation options possible in Missouri’s long-term care facilities,” said Missouri Health Care Association Executive Director Nikki Strong. “Although the virus is still a significant threat to the vulnerable citizens we care for, it is time to safely reunite our residents with their loved ones.”

In addition to general visits, each resident may have one essential caregiver designated through the Essential Caregiver program. Designated by the resident (or guardian or legal representative), essential caregivers are able to provide health care services or assistance with daily activities to help maintain or improve the quality of care or quality of life. This may include assistance with bathing, dressing, eating, or emotional support. One additional essential caregiver may also be designated if the individual is a clergy member.

With all types of visits, screening of individuals should be in place along with proper PPE use and infection control measures to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission among facility residents.

Detailed guidance for long-term care facilities can be found at health.mo.gov/coronavirus.

The fight to get a vaccine out to battle the Coronavirus continues, but officials say there’s still a long road ahead of us.

As America heads into flu season The race continues for a vaccine, with AstraZeneca resuming its clinical trials after a pause over safety concerns.

Pfizer CEO Albert Birla tells CBS’s face the nation’s Margaret Brennan, his company expects to deliver a vaccine before the end of the year. “We have already manufacturer hundreds of thousands of doses”

Former FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb says that may be a Hail Mary for most people. “They will not have access to a vaccine until 2021.”

*Story via KRMS news partner CBS Radio

New numbers from the state Department of Social Services show there has been an increase of 120,000 people on the Food Stamps Program.

Officials say there were around 658,000 Missourians on the program at the start of last year, and now it’s increased to 778,000 as of July.

Most of the increase is contributed to the COVID pandemic as Missourians started losing jobs.

Missouri Lawmakers voted back in April to approve an historic $6.2 Billion dollar emergency relief package to battle the pandemic for the long term.

Here are more details about the enrollments: CASELOAD DATA

There’s new concern about Covid-19 and its effect on the brain.

According to a new Yale University study, Corona Virus may directly invade the brain.

Doctor David Agus is a CBS News medical contributor and he says in the last week or two, they’ve heard about its effect on the heart, the lungs and now more and more data is showing it’s having an effect on the brain.

Many COVID 19 Victims experienced nagging headaches, confusion and being delirious.

See more from our news partner CBS: Scientists Warn Of Brain Damage With COVID 19

Missourians who receive Food Stamps through the SNAP program will continue to get their maximum benefits through the month of September.

Health officials say the decision was made after getting approval to extend the benefits from the USDA and the Food and Nutrition Service.

The money is automatically loaded onto your EBT card and there is nothing more that you need to do to receive it.

Officials say the number of households in Missouri on Food Stamps rose by 50% since the start of the COVID 19 Pandemic.

Additional extensions will be announced on a month to month basis.

Missouri school districts will be receiving 1.8 million cloth masks from the state EMA office.

Officials with DESE say they’ll be disturbing them out this week.

They are recommending that all districts across the state require masks for children.

So far some 97,000 Missouri kids have reportedly tested positive for COVID 19 over the past two weeks, as various districts across the state started to open.

Governor Parson Meets with K-12 Administrators, Educators Across the State to Discuss School Reopening Plans and State Support

(JEFFERSON CITY, MO) – As school districts continue to prepare for the upcoming school year, Governor Mike Parson met with school administrators and teachers from across the state to discuss their plans for this fall and how they are navigating the challenges of COVID-19.

Over the past week, Governor Parson met with educators and administrators in the Jefferson City, Neosho, Springfield, St. Louis, Kansas City, and Northeast Missouri regions.

“We are very grateful for the hard work of our superintendents, administrators, teachers, and all school staff members to prepare for the upcoming school year,” Governor Parson said. “It was encouraging to hear about their plans to resume teaching, whether that be onsite classes, virtual learning, or a hybrid of both.”

“There is no one-size-fits-all approach. Every school district will look different based on the needs of its students and community,” Governor Parson continued.

The Governor’s Office has worked closely with the Departments of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and Health and Senior Services (DHSS) to address key questions on school reopening. On Monday, DESE and DHSS released updated school reopening guidance addressing more frequently asked questions for the upcoming school year.

The document, initially published on July 9, now includes information on the reactive strategies that Missouri schools should be prepared to address upon reopening, including what to do if a student or staff member becomes symptomatic at school, how to handle positive cases of COVID-19 in the school community, and how to best prepare to assist local health officials with contact identification and tracing.

To assist school districts with personal protective equipment (PPE), 1.8 million cloth masks have been made available through the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA). DESE and SEMA are currently working to develop a plan to distribute the masks to school districts. DESE and DHSS have also released PPE guidance for school nurses.

Additionally, $7.5 million of the state’s Coronavirus Relief Fund has been allocated to a cost-share program with local counties to help schools cover the costs of PPE as well as cleaning and medical supplies for school buildings and buses. Schools may also use Elementary and Secondary School Education Relief Funds provided under the CARES Act for any COVID-19 related expenses, including PPE costs.

As many students rely on school meals each day, the state has also taken steps to ensure schools can continue to feed their students throughout COVID-19. During school closures this spring, the Missouri National Guard provided additional personnel to pack and distribute meals to students across the state.

Working in conjunction with DESE, the National Guard helped pack, load, and distribute approximately 288,000 meals to Missouri students from April 24 to July 31. Multiple schools in 12 school districts were supported through the partnership, including Cameron, St. Louis, Wright City R-II, Cape Girardeau, North St. Francois County, Hickman Mills, Tolbert, Marshall, St. Clair, Meadow Heights, Kingston, and Plato.

“As we move forward with this school year, we remain focused on the health and safety of our students, school staff, and communities as a whole,” Governor Parson said.

This week, Governor Parson will meet with leadership from Missouri colleges and universities to discuss higher education reopening plans.

A new study shows that some face masks may not work as good as we’d hoped against COVID 19.

A group of researchers at Duke University have come up with a way to analyze the effectiveness of different types of face masks.

The person wearing a mask speaks into a hole in a black box.

A laser is used to scatter the respiratory droplets when they talk and a cellphone camera is placed on the back of the box to record the light.

A computer algorithm counts the droplets seen in the video.

The best mask was the N95, followed by surgical and cotton masks. Neck fleeces, folded bandanas and knitted masks performed the worst.

Telehealth services are being expanded in Missouri.

Lake representative and congresswoman Vicky Hartzler says as part of President Trump’s recent executive order, the expansion serves to improve connections for the rural communities.

The order proposes to permanently allow for evaluations and management of a patient, as well as specific visits, for those who have cognitive impairments and those in the vulnerable populations.

Rural hospitals such as Lake Regional can continue using provider tools to modernize their care for the community under the new order, which also works to create infrastructure to support it including rural broadband internet.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler (MO-04) announces expanded telehealth services for Missouri’s 4^th congressional district as part of President Donald Trump’s Executive Order improving services for rural communities.

The Executive Order (EO), issued on August 3^rd, aims to expand the current network of telehealth services built by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and proposes to permanently allow services for evaluation and management of a patient, and certain types of visits for patients with cognitive impairments. This will allow vulnerable populations, such as senior citizens or those with pre-existing conditions, to visit with doctors and medical staff virtually using teleconference platforms.

The EO gives rural hospitals and health care providers the tools they need to modernize their care for rural communities. It establishes strategic investments to create the necessary infrastructure to support the telehealth network, underscoring the important need for affordable, quality rural broadband. The order also puts in motion a new payment model for rural hospitals to use.

The telehealth network was funded after a series of preceding orders from the President in the spring and after funding authorized under the CARES Act, which Hartzler supported in March.

Hartzler has also worked to bolster funding for critical grants and federal programs related to the deployment of rural broadband. This includes $555 million to the ReConnect grants and loans, as well as over $780 million for other grant and loan programs through the Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development agency.

Medicaid expansion is a done deal in Missouri.

Voters passing the Amendment 2 measure 53 to 47 %, the majority of the yes votes coming from areas like St. Louis and Kansas City.

The Lake area overwhelming voted no on the measure.

What it means for Missourians is adults ages 19 to 65 who’s income is at or below 138% of the federal poverty level, or just over $17,000 for an individual and $36,000 for a household of four, can now be covered by the program.

The federal government currently covers 65% of all Medicaid costs, with the remaining dollars coming from the state, but with the expansion the federal side will now cover 90% and leave only 10% for the state.

Officials estimate as many as 250,000 adults will now be covered when the program takes effect in July of 2021.

Schools across the Ozarks are taking different approaches to their back to school plans, some doing virtual and others doing in person.

However, the virtual learning is causing trouble for the special needs and autism communities.

Elizabeth Obrey with the Arc of the Ozarks.

She tells KY 3 TV parents of special needs kids cannot fill the role of teachers and therapists.

Many parents with children on the spectrum tell KRMS news that their children have suffered severe regressions as a result of losing schooling and in-person therapies to the COVID 19 virus.

HyVee will be offering drive up Flu Vaccines for Lake area residents.

The company says it’s in an effort to protect against COVID 19.

Officials say the vaccine will be available both inside the Pharmacy area as well and those wanting to drive-thru option will be able to do so between August 17^th through the 31^st.

In both locations you will be required to wear a mask and pharmacists will conduct a screening process to ensure they’re making the most beneficial choice for each person.

They’re also offering contact-free prescription pickup or delivery options as well.

Hy-Vee Pharmacies Sharing Enhanced Safety Protocols; Offering Drive-Up Flu Vaccines Beginning Aug. 17

July 28, 2020 | News & Press Releases

WEST DES MOINES, Iowa (July 28, 2020) — Hy-Vee, Inc. announces today that the flu vaccine will be available inside its more than 270 Hy-Vee pharmacy locations throughout its eight-state region without an appointment or prescription, and will also be offered via a drive-up option at Hy-Vee pharmacy locations between Aug. 17 and Oct. 31. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends people 6 months and older get a flu vaccine each year to prevent getting and spreading the flu virus.

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Hy-Vee continues to follow CDC guidelines for safety and precautions. Our stores, including our pharmacy areas, maintain enhanced cleaning regimens, social distancing protocols and Plexiglas shields at registers and customer service counters. Below are key measures Hy-Vee has implemented to ensure the safe administration of immunizations for our patients and pharmacy team members:

•    All Hy-Vee pharmacy team members are required to wear face masks at all times, including while administering immunizations.
•    Any patient with COVID-19-like symptoms or who has had prolonged exposure to a positive case should wait the appropriate amount of time prior to receiving their vaccine for the health and safety of our patients and team members.
•    Patients receiving a vaccination will need to wear a face covering.

Flu Vaccines
Drive-up flu vaccines will be offered in the parking lot of many Hy-Vee pharmacy locations between Monday, Aug. 17 and Saturday, Oct. 31 during the following times each week*:

•    Monday: 7 a.m.-11 a.m.
•    Thursday: 3 p.m.-7 p.m.
•    Saturday: 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Hy-Vee pharmacists conduct a screening process to ensure that they are administering the vaccine type most beneficial for each individual. Medicare and most insurance plans cover the flu vaccine and other immunizations at no charge.

Flu vaccines are available at Hy-Vee pharmacies on a walk-in/drive-up basis without a prescription as allowed per state law during regular pharmacy hours. Hy-Vee pharmacists can administer the flu vaccine to individuals outside of the age-specific guidelines listed below with a prescription. In Hy-Vee’s eight-state region, the state laws are as follows:

•    Illinois: Ages 10 years and older
•    Iowa: Ages 6 years and older
•    Kansas: Ages 6 years and older
•    Minnesota: Ages 6 years and older
•    Missouri: Ages 7 years and older
•    Nebraska: Ages 6 months and older
•    South Dakota: Ages 6 months and older
•    Wisconsin: Ages 6 years and older

Each person who receives a flu vaccine at a Hy-Vee Pharmacy can earn a 20 cents per gallon Fuel Saver discount, which can be redeemed at any Hy-Vee Gas, Hy-Vee Fast and Fresh Express or Hy-Vee Fast and Fresh location. See Hy-vee.com for details. Restrictions apply.

In addition, Hy-Vee Healthy You mobiles can be reserved for flu vaccine clinics as a convenient health and wellness benefit for a company’s employees. Clinics are typically held September through November, and can be scheduled by emailing vaccineclinic@hy-vee.com.

*See store for details. Restrictions apply. Subject to availability.

Contact-Free Prescription Pickup/Delivery
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues Hy-Vee also offers the following convenient, contact-free prescription pickup and delivery methods: pharmacy drive-thru, curbside pickup, home delivery or ship to home. For additional information on these options, please contact your local Hy-Vee pharmacy.

Missourians who receive food stamps through the snap program are having their pandemic benefits extended through August.

Officials say the maximum number will continue to be loaded onto the existing EBT cards.

Over 372,000 Missouri households including over 770,000 Missourians currently receive these benefits as of June 30^th.

For more information log on to http://dss.mo.gov

Over 22 million meals have been provided since last year by the Ozarks Food Harvest food bank.

Officials say it’s a 20% increase and it’s the largest in the 37-year history of the program.

They say nearly 1.1 Million of those meals were distributed as a result of COVID 19.

Over 425,000 of those meals were distributed through Mobile Food Pantries.

Officials at MU Health Care are investigating missing COVID 19 tests.

They say there are around 100 tests missing and they are informing the patients who are affected by it.

This comes after the University announced it has officially furloughed 3,598 employees and requested some 2,317 employees to take salary reductions.

The University also laid off 173 employees in order to balance the budgets in the midst of shortfalls due to COVID 19.

Those decisions will save the University around $17 Million dollars.

If you were planning to attend the annual Missouri State Fair, there has been a few changes.

Fair officials say due to the massive rise in COVID 19 numbers, they are pivoting the event to a “youth livestock show” only.

That means the Governor’s ham breakfast, the carnival and all non-livestock events have been canceled.

The fair organization says they will be issuing appropriate refunds and that the campgrounds will remain open for those planning to attend the livestock events.

Press Release:

The Red Cross are placing an urgent plea for blood donations across the Ozarks.

Officials say they are are taking every single possible precaution by having everyone wearing masks, having their temperature taken and placing the beds in a socially distance structure of six feet away.

Blood is not tested for Cove in 19 since respiratory diseases aren’t known to be transmitted by transfusions, but as a new incentive to donors, Blood is now tested for covert antibodies that may show if someone has had the virus.

Officials say since the pandemic began; more than 37,000 blood drives have been canceled.

Here are the upcoming blood drives for the Red Cross in the Lake Area: RED CROSS DRIVES

The Community Blood Center of the Ozarks is also hosting two local drives:

1. Lodge of the Four Seasons on July 30th from 10AM to 1PM

2. Osage Beach City Hall August 7th from 9AM to 3PM