Moniteau County Health Officials Warn They’re Heading Towards An “Extreme Outbreak”

Moniteau County Public Health Warning

MONITEAU COUNTY, MO-Moniteau County, along with our country is currently experiencing an extreme outbreak of COVID-19. As we move from fall into the winter months, respiratory illnesses spread more rapidly as people move indoors and environmental conditions change. COVID-19 is following that pattern. The risks will become more serious with the onset of flu season. Every state is affected. Every community is at risk. If we do not slow the spread of the virus, we risk having our health care systems overwhelmed by COVID-19 patients. This poses a significant risk not only to those suffering from COVID-19, our first responders, and those working in our healthcare systems, but to anyone requiring health care support. This includes people requiring emergency services and ICU access from car accidents to treatment of serious health conditions such as cancer. Until a vaccine is made available to the general population in 2021, the most effective weapon against COVID-19 remains prevention. Due to extreme COVID-19 risks, the State of Missouri has issued the following public health warning to set expectations for all individuals living and/or working in Missouri.

Personal Behavior Advisory

•Wear a mask at all times in public and other settings outside your home where social distancing is not possible.

•Maintain social distance of at least 6 feet wherever possible, and limit close contacts with other individuals to less than 15 minutes.

•Wash hands often.

•Stay home when sick of if you have symptoms such as cough, shortness of breath, chills, fatigue, muscle/body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, or diarrhea. People with COVID do not always have fever, do not disregard other symptoms because you may not have fever. Self-isolate from other family members.

•Limit your regular interactions to a small group, Less than 10, of family members, friends, and/or co-workers if living in a Category 1 or 2 community.

Business Advisory

•Modify physical workspaces to maximize and maintain social distancing.

•Develop an infectious disease preparedness and response plan, including policies and procedures for workforce contact tracing when an employee tests positive for COVID-19.

•Monitor workforce for indicative symptoms. Symptomatic people should not physically return to work until cleared by a medical provider.

•Develop, implement, and communicate about workplace flexibilities and protections, including:

*encouraging telework whenever possible and feasible with business operations;

*Working in phases and/or split shifts, if possible;

*Limiting access to common areas where personnel are likely to congregate and interact; and

*Ensuring that sick leave policies are flexible and consistent with public health guidance.

Travel Advisory

•Minimize travel outside of Missouri. If traveling outside the state, please follow all guidance and requirements for your destination. Upon return, take as many precautions as possible, wear a mask, and monitor symptoms.

•If planning travel for gatherings during the holidays, especially those including individuals at high risk, encourage all people to self-isolate or isolate as family units as much as practicable in advance of any such gathering.

•Do not attend any gatherings, family or otherwise, if you have any symptoms.

Category 1 County Action Plan: Extreme Risk

Moniteau County is currently in category 1. Criteria for county: PCR 7-day positivity rate 15% or above (using CDC method), and 7-day case rate per 100k, 350 or above.

• Moniteau County 7-day PCR positivity rate: 33.6%

• Moniteau County 7-day case rate per 100k: 545

Business occupancy: Occupancy limits reflective of social distancing.

Social group size: 10 or less.

Masks: Strongly recommended in all offices and businesses where social distancing is not possible.

Category 2 County Action Plan: Critical Risk

Criteria for county: PCR 7-day positivity rate 10-14% (using CDC method), and 7-day case rate per 100k, 100-349. Business occupancy limits reflective of social distancing. Social group size 25 or less, and masks recommended in all offices and businesses with 10+ people where social distancing is not possible.

Category 3 County Action Plan: Serious Risk

Criteria for county: PCR 7-day positivity rate 5-9% (using CDC method), and 7-day case rate per 100k, 10-99. Business occupancy no limits, social group size limited to maintaining 6 feet distance, masks recommended in all offices and businesses with 10+ where social distancing is not possible.

NOTE: Communities can move down in risk category after two consecutive weeks of meeting the lower category’s criteria.

The latest county-level positivity rates and case rates can be found at: https://showmestrong.mo.gov/public-health-county/