October 31, 2020
ADAIR COUNTY CASE COUNT HITS 621
Kirksville, MO 10/30/20 – The Adair County Health Department confirmed 17 new cases of COVID-19 today, rapidly raising the overall count to 621.
Today’s cases include two 19-year-old females, and others ages 21, 23, 24, 37 and a 76-year-old admitted to a Des Moines hospital. She is not on a ventilator. Cases also include a 12-year-old male, a 20-year-old, two 21-year-olds and two 25-year-olds, along with males ages 24, 55, 57 and 63.
Seven of today’s cases are in the higher education sector, one is in the K-12 schools sector, and one is employed at an area meat-processing plant. Seven cases reside at a household with at least one other confirmed case.
There are currently four Adair County residents hospitalized. One is at the VA Hospital in Columbia, one is in a Des Moines hospital, and two are at Northeast Regional Medical Center (NRMC). As cases continue to rise quickly throughout the State of Missouri, some hospitals are struggling with keeping pace. That’s bad news as the normal season of respiratory illnesses, including the flu, is beginning.
NRMC reports that it remains prepared to take care of all patients requiring medical attention and encourages patients experiencing medical emergencies to seek care promptly. The hospital warns that emergencies don’t stop due to COVID-19, and people experiencing crises including heart attack, stroke and cardiac arrest should always call 911 for help. Emergency personnel and hospital staff know what to do to treat and protect you.
Safety of patients and staff is always NRMC’s highest priority. It has taken action to enhance infection prevention, restrict access to the facility and supports social distancing to maintain a safe environment for patients who need medical care. Care for individuals with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 is delivered in a restricted area, separate from other patients. NRMC advises that the number of patients in the hospital and the availability of patient beds are fluid as patients are admitted and discharged.
“Fortunately, our local hospital has not been overrun by COVID cases yet,” said Jim LeBaron, administrator of the Adair County Health Department. “That could change as we head into the usual seasonal flu period and if we don’t all work toward reducing the spread of the virus here. We encourage people to get a flu vaccine and to practice precautions including mask wearing, social distancing and hand hygiene,” he said.
“We are also fortunate that we have a hospital in Adair County with the number of beds NRMC has, a Level III Trauma Center and a Certified Chest Pain Center,” LeBaron said. “We also have incredible emergency responders in the Adair County Ambulance District and the Kirksville Fire Department. Our healthcare providers are all ready to pivot as they need to during this pandemic. Let’s do what we can to protect them,” he said.
604 CASES AND TESTING IN ADAIR COUNTY
Kirksville, MO 10/29/20 – Ten new cases of COVID-19 were confirmed today in Adair County. The cases involve females ages 23, 24, 58 and 60, and males ages 17, 22, 23, 27, 34 and 59. Four are in the higher education sector, one is in the K-12 schools sector and five cases are at addresses with at least one other confirmed case. There are 81 active cases and 523 people out of isolation. A previously identified 84-year-old male was admitted to Northeast Regional Medical Center on Oct. 28 and does not require a ventilator.
As of Oct. 27, the COVID-19 testing positivity rate is at 7%, up from 6%. More than 13,500 tests have been completed in Adair County. As of today, 604 positive cases have been confirmed among Adair County residents.
The World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend a positivity rate of less than 5% as the threshold indicating the virus is fairly controlled in a community. The CDC recommends that states and communities implement precautions to slow transmission if the positivity rate exceeds 5%.
Missouri currently has a positivity rate of 11.6% according to the CDC formula. The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) also uses its own formula which puts the state’s positivity rate at 23.5%. For an explanation regarding the two calculations.
There are two ways to lower the positivity rate and they, in fact, go hand in hand. One is to lower transmission of the virus, done by taking precautions to slow the spread. The second is to test more people to see if that rate falls. In Adair County, there will be another opportunity for people with or without COVID-19 symptoms to be tested on Monday, Nov. 9, 2020 at the NEMO Fairgrounds. DHSS and the Missouri National Guard are offering the free drive-through testing from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. You can register at www.health.mo.gov/communitytest.
“The best way to lower the positivity rate in Adair County is for every single person to practice the recommended precautions,” said Jim LeBaron, administrator of the Adair County Health Department. “Wear masks, stay six feet away from anyone outside of your household, wash your hands frequently, avoid touching your face and disinfect frequently used surfaces, especially things like doorknobs, steering wheels and cell phones,” he said.
One of the major precautions recommended by the CDC is avoiding close contact with anyone who has tested positive for COVID-19. The CDC recently revised its definition of “close contact.” Previously, it was defined as being within six feet of someone positive for the virus for 15 minutes. The updated definition is being within six feet of someone positive for 15 minutes or more within a 24-hour period.
“Everybody needs to think critically about how they’re spending their time,” LeBaron said. Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas are all times we traditionally spend time with friends and extended family, but this might not be the year to do it.”
“We’re on track to hit 255 cases just in the month of October. That’s nearly 1% of the population in Adair County,” LeBaron said. “I understand that everybody is weary of this virus, but it’s still here, spreading faster and faster to more and more people. A vaccine is likely still three or four months away, but we can slow the spread if every single person would do their part and take the recommended precautions. If you won’t do it for yourself, please do it for others in our community.”
ADAIR COUNTY ONE-DAY CASE COUNT HITS HIGH OF 19
Kirksville, MO 10/28/20 – With a one-day record of 19 cases of COVID-19 confirmed today, Adair County’s total case count rose sharply to 594. There are now 81 active cases and 531 people who have left isolation. There have been 78 confirmed cases within only the last seven days.
Today’s cases include females ages 18, 20, 21, 34, 38, 44, 45, 50, 57 and 66. Males are ages 20, 23, 25, 30, 36, 39, 45, 47 and 49. Six of today’s cases are in the higher education sector, two are in the K-12 schools sector, and one is an area meat-processing plant employee. Five cases are located at addresses with previously confirmed cases.
Two Adair County residents are at Northeast Regional Medical Center. Neither requires a ventilator. A 59-year-old female was admitted Oct. 26 and a 50-year-old female was admitted Oct. 27.
Among the 17 cases reported Oct. 27 was a male whose age was unknown at the time of release. His age has been confirmed as 61.
Ages of the 81 active cases range from 1 to 89.
CASES RISE TO 575
MISSOURI NATIONAL GUARD TO RETURN FOR TESTING
Kirksville, MO 10/27/20 – There were 17 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed today in Adair County. That brings the total case count to 575. There are 76 active cases and 499 people out of isolation.
There are four females among today’s cases, ages 14, 19, 50 and 56. The remaining 13 cases are males ages 14, 19, two age 22, 29, 34, 35, 39, 42, 43, 57, and 59. The age of one male has not yet been identified.
Four of today’s cases are in the higher education sector and two are in the K-12 schools sector. Ten of the cases reside at addresses where at least one other case has been confirmed.
While cases continue to rise in Adair County, the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services and the Missouri National Guard are returning to the NEMO Fairgrounds from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., on Monday, Nov. 9, 2020 for another drive-through COVID-19 testing clinic.
Testing is free to any Missouri resident and you do not have to be exhibiting any symptoms of COVID-19 to be tested. The method is a self-administered simple PCR test in which people insert the swab into their own nose. Results should be available within three to five days.
EIGHT NEW CASES OF COVID-19 CONFIRMED TODAY
Kirksville, MO 10/26/20 – With eight new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Adair County today, the total count is 558. There are 59 active cases and 499 people have left isolation.
Today’s cases involve females ages 1, 3, 25, 26, 33 and 38, and males ages 14 and 56. All of the cases are attributed to community spread with one of them in the K-12 schools sector. Three of today’s cases are in households with at least one other confirmed case.
ADAIR COUNTY HITS 550 COVID-19 CASES
Kirksville, MO 10/25/20 – Four newly confirmed cases of COVID-19 among residents brings Adair County’s total to 550. The total includes 66 active cases and 484 people who have left isolation.
Today’s cases include a 51-year-old female and males ages 24, 44 and 57.
EIGHT NEW CASES OF COVID-19 CONFIRMED ON SATURDAY
Kirksville, MO 10/24/20 – Eight cases confirmed today among Adair County residents brings the year-to-date count to 546. There are currently 67 active cases and 479 people who have left isolation.
Today’s cases include females ages 20, two 21-year-olds and a 28-year-old. Males are ages 25, 28, 30 and 35. Four cases are in the higher education sector with one case located at an address with at least one previously confirmed case.
NINE NEW COVID-19 CASES CONFIRMED
Kirksville, MO 10/23/20 – Nine new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Adair County today are all the result of community spread. Two are in the higher education sector. Two of today’s cases live in the same household and one other resides at an address with a previously confirmed case.
New cases involve females ages 21, 34, 58 and two 61-year-olds. Males are ages 20, 51, 81 and 84.
Total case count is now 538 with 70 active cases and 468 people who have left isolation.
COVID-19 COUNT RISES TO 529 WITH 13 NEW CASES
Kirksville, MO 10/22/20 – Confirmation of 13 new cases of COVID-19 among Adair County residents today brings the total to 529.
New cases involve females ages 18, 19, 29, 37, 38, 41, 42 and 54. Males are ages 18, two 20-year-olds, 61 and 75.
Five cases are in the higher education sector, two are related to area meat-processing plants and two are community spread. Four of the cases are travel related. Two of those cases traveled out of state together. Six cases reside at addresses with at least one other previously confirmed case.
There are now 65 active cases and 464 people who have left isolation.
ADAIR COUNTY CONFIRMS 10 NEW CASES
Kirksville, MO 10/21/20 – Ten new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Adair County today brings the total case count to 516. There are 63 active cases and 453 residents out of isolation. Adair County Health Department staff has topped 1,700 contact tracing calls.
The new cases are females ages 15, 18, 20, 21 and 62, two 21-year-old males and other males ages 29, 53 and 57. Five of today’s cases are in the higher education sector and one is in the K-12 schools sector. Two cases reside at addresses with previously confirmed cases.
In this week’s report to governors from the White House Coronavirus Task Force, Missouri remained in the red zone with the 10th highest case rate in the country. Missouri is also in the red zone for positivity rate, ranking 8th in the country.
In the report, Kirksville and Adair County are listed in the orange zone for the seven-day period of Oct. 10-16. Adair County logged 66 cases during that time.
ADAIR COUNTY TOPS 500 CASES OF COVID-19
Kirksville, MO 10/20/20 – Adair County has confirmed 506 cases of COVID-19 since the first case was confirmed on March 21, 2020. Eight new cases were confirmed today.
“For the month of September, we had 140 people who tested positive for COVID-19,” said Jim LeBaron. administrator of the Adair County Health Department. “We’ve seen 137 cases in only the first 20 days of this month,” he said. “Missouri has recently been averaging nearly 1,600 new cases daily,” LeBaron said. “Unfortunately, Adair County is contributing to those rising numbers.”
On Oct. 12, the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) and the Missouri National Guard held a COVID-19 drive-through testing clinic at the NEMO Fairgrounds. DHSS reported today that 223 people were tested with 14 testing positive. Ten of the 190 Adair County residents tested positive. Three residents of Sullivan County and one from Shelby County tested positive.
“When we tested about 380 residents in April, no one tested positive,” LeBaron said. “The positive tests from the DHSS drive-through illustrate community spread of the virus. We continue to strongly recommend that residents wear masks, practice social distancing and good hand hygiene, and get their seasonal flu vaccinations,” he said.
“This thing is far from over, especially now that we’re heading into the winter months. I know everyone is weary of taking precautions but it’s what we all have to do to get the spread under control,” LeBaron said.
Today’s new cases involve females ages 22, 32, 34 and 63, and two 18-year-old males and two 19-year-old males. Another 18-year-old male was omitted from the media release issued yesterday. His positive test results were confirmed on Saturday.
A male identified yesterday without his age is 84. He was admitted to Northeast Regional Center on Sunday. Three other Adair County residents remain hospitalized in three different hospitals in Columbia. None of the four have required use of a ventilator.
There are currently 58 active cases and 448 residents out of isolation. Four of today’s cases are in the higher education sector and three are in households with a previously confirmed case.
ADAIR COUNTY NEARS 500 COVID-19 CASES
Kirksville, MO 10/19/20 – With 15 newly confirmed cases of COVID-19 over the last three days, Adair County’s total case count stands at 497. There were two new cases on Saturday, six on Sunday and seven more today. There are now 57 active cases and 440 people out of isolation.
The 15 new cases include two 18-year-old females and other females ages 44, 48, 58, 59 and 74, and males ages 19, 21, 22, 58, 61, 62, 70 and one whose age has not yet been confirmed. He has been admitted to Northeast Regional Medical Center and is not on a ventilator.
Of the 15 cases, five are in the higher education sector, one is an employee of an area meat-processing plant and one is of an undetermined origin. The rest of the cases are the result of community spread. Six are in households with at least one other confirmed case.
FLU SHOTS STILL AVAILABLE AT THE ADAIR COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT
Kirksville, MO 10/19/20 – The Adair County Health Department still has quadrivalent seasonal flu vaccines available. Although the Department exhausted its supply of the high-dose vaccine recommended for adults age 65 and older at the annual drive-through clinic, a limited supply of doses of the regular vaccine are still available.
The annual flu vaccine is recommended for children ages 3 and older and all adults. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and infectious disease experts have stated that getting the seasonal flu vaccine this year is more important than ever. Having more people vaccinated and fewer people infected by the flu means reducing the number of people requiring hospitalization and other healthcare services while providers are dealing with COVID-19 patients. This is the most important year to get a flu vaccine.
The Health Department will be administering regular-dose seasonal flu vaccines curbside at 1001 S. Jamison on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to Noon and 2-4 p.m. Vaccines are free to county residents but appointments are required. Call 660-665-8491 to schedule a vaccine during those hours or to make arrangements for an alternate time if those hours don’t work with your schedule. Doses will be administered until the supply is exhausted.
All people in a vehicle should be wearing masks to protect the healthcare workers administering vaccines and wearing clothes with short or loose sleeves to make access to the injection site easier.
If you do not feel well or have any symptoms of COVID-19 on the day of your scheduled appointment, do not leave your home.
Employers who want to schedule an on-site vaccination clinic should call the Health Department and ask for Jamie.
ADAIR COUNTY REPORTS RECORD 17 CASES TODAY
Kirksville, MO 10/16/20 – Adair County hit a one-day record high of 17 confirmed cases of COVID-19 today, bringing the total number of cases to 482. There are now 70 active cases and 412 people who have left isolation. The staff at the Adair County Health Department has surpassed 1,600 contact tracing calls since the first case was confirmed in March.
The new cases include two 20-year-old females, two 21-year-old females, and females ages 22, 25, 43, 52, 62, 68, 73 and 77. Males are ages 20, 23, two age 33 and 89. Six of the new cases are in the higher education sector and five are in households with a previously confirmed case. The 89-year-old male was admitted to the VA Hospital in Columbia and is not on a ventilator.
To correct yesterday’s release, the number of people who were vaccinated at Wednesday’s drive-through flu clinic was 1,550, not 1,150 as stated incorrectly in the release.
ADAIR COUNTY CASES CONTINUE UPWARD CLIMB
Kirksville, MO 10/15/20 – As the number of COVID-19 cases continues to rise in Adair County, 1,150 people took advantage of the Adair County Health Department’s annual drive-through flu clinic yesterday at the NEMO Fairgrounds.
On Tuesday, Oct. 13, community partners of the Health Department, including the Kirksville Fire Department and Adair County Ambulance District, received training on setting up and taking down the two new medical surge response shelters purchased by the Northeast Missouri Health Council in partnership with the Adair County Health Department. The shelters were put to use for the first time for the drive-through flu clinic.
“We were really pleased with the turnout of residents seeking flu vaccines,” said Jim LeBaron, administrator of the Adair County Health Department. “Fortunately, we had warm and sunny weather for this clinic, so the shelters were an extra benefit. We now know how great they will be when we attempt to do an event like this during inclement weather,” he said.
The Health Department staff was assisted by area healthcare providers, by nursing students from Truman State University and Moberly Area Community College, and by students at A.T. Still University of Health Sciences.
“We can’t do an event like this without having the boots on the ground of our area healthcare and emergency response partners,” said LeBaron. “I am absolutely grateful to them for their leadership and willingness to tackle whatever needs to be done to serve our residents.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) have strongly recommended that people get the annual flu vaccine this year. Having fewer people suffer from severe symptoms of the seasonal flu helps keep hospital beds open for COVID-19 patients and helps protect healthcare workers. It can also help people from battling both COVID-19 and the seasonal flu.
COVID-19 cases continue to climb in the United States, including quickly increasing numbers in Adair County.
Twelve new cases were confirmed today which brings the year-to-date total to 465. The new cases involve two 20-year-old females and females ages 23, 27, 42, 43, 79 and 85, and males ages 40, 41, 66 and 70. Two are in the higher education sector and two are in households with a previously confirmed case. There are now 67 active cases and 398 individuals who have left isolation.
All Adair County residents who were hospitalized at Northeast Regional Medical Center have now been discharged; however, there are six COVID-19 patients from other counties at Northeast. Two patients have required use of a ventilator.
NINE MORE CASES OF COVID-19 CONFIRMED TODAY
Kirksville, MO 10/14/20 – Nine new cases of COVID-19 among Adair County residents have been confirmed today. The cases involve females ages 20, 25 and 30, and males ages 18, two age 21, 26, 39 and 74.
Four of today’s cases reside at addresses with at least one previously confirmed case. All cases are attributed to community spread, four of which are in the higher education sector.
The year-to-date total for Adair County is now 453 with 67 active cases and 386 individuals who have left isolation.
ADAIR COUNTY COVID-19 CASES REACH 444
Kirksville, MO 10/13/20 – The Adair County Health Department confirmed eight new cases of COVID-19 among Adair County residents today. The total number of cases is now 444 with 58 active cases and 386 people out of isolation.
The new cases include females ages 20 and 53, and males ages 18, 35, 40, 48, 59 and 61. All new cases are attributed to community spread with three of those cases in the higher education sector.
An 81-year-old male readmitted to Northeast Regional Medical Center on Oct. 2 was discharged today to The Pines.
The Health Department holds its annual drive-through flu clinic from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., tomorrow, Oct. 14, at the NEMO Fairgrounds. Vaccines will be administered at no cost to Adair County residents, although those with Medicare and Medicaid coverage should bring their cards to the clinic. No pre-registration is required, and vaccines will be administered on a first-come, first-serve basis until doses run out.
AS COVID-19 CASES IN ADAIR COUNTY RISE QUICKLY, RESIDENTS STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO GET SEASONAL FLU SHOT
Kirksville, MO 10/12/20 – With 36 confirmed cases of COVID-19 among Adair County residents from Friday, Oct. 9 through today, the Adair County Health Department is strongly encouraging people to get their annual flu shots.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and infectious disease experts have stated that getting the seasonal flu vaccine this year is more important than ever. Having more people vaccinated and fewer people infected by the flu means reducing the number of people requiring hospitalization and other healthcare services while providers are dealing with COVID-19 patients. As of today, there are eight patients at Northeast Regional Medical Center (NRMC) with COVID-19 diagnoses. Three of them are Adair County residents.
Seven new cases of the virus were confirmed today. They involve females ages 32 and 53, and males ages 49, 50, 52, 54 and 63. The 50-year-old male was admitted to NRMC yesterday and does not require a ventilator. A 52-year-old male admitted to NRMC on Oct. 8 was discharged to home yesterday. There are now 53 active cases and 383 people who have left isolation.
The Adair County Health Department will hold its annual drive-through flu clinic from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Wednesday, October 14, 2020 at the NEMO Fairgrounds. Vaccines will be administered at no cost to Adair County residents, although those with Medicare and Medicaid coverage should bring their cards to the clinic. No pre-registration is required, and vaccines will be administered on a first-come, first-serve basis until doses run out.
All people in a vehicle should be wearing masks to protect the healthcare workers administering vaccines and wearing clothes with short or loose sleeves to make access to the injection site easier.
The annual flu vaccine is recommended for children ages 3 and older and all adults. The Health Department will be administering the standard quadrivalent vaccine to children and adults under the age of 65 and the high-dose vaccine to adults age 65 and older upon their request for the higher dose.
ANOTHER 13 CASES CONFIRMED TODAY IN ADAIR COUNTY
Kirksville, MO 10/10/20 – Another 13 cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Adair County today brings the year-to-date total to 429. There are currently 63 active cases and 366 people who have left isolation.
Today’s cases involve females ages 18, three age 19, 20, 25, 50 and 56, and males ages 19, 20, 23, 28 and 68.
Five of today’s cases are in the higher education sector and one is in the K-12 schools sector. All cases are attributed to community spread. Two cases are in households with at least one previously confirmed case.
ADAIR COUNTY RECORDS 16 NEW COVID CASES IN 24 HOURS
Kirksville, MO 10/9/20 – In the highest 24-hour total to date, 16 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed today in Adair County bring the year-to-date total to 416.
The new cases involve females ages 17, 18, 20, 28, 39 and 54, and males ages 7, 9, 18, 22, two age 23, 50, 52, 62 and 72. The 52-year-old male was admitted to Northeast Regional Medical Center yesterday. There are now seven Adair County residents hospitalized in Kirksville and Columbia. None have required a ventilator.
Six of today’s cases are in the higher education sector and seven reside at addresses shared by at least one other confirmed case. One case is in the K-12 sector. Two youngsters are home schooled.
There are now a record 50 active cases and 366 individuals who have left isolation.
SPOTS STILL AVAILABLE FOR MONDAY’S FREE COVID-19 TESTING CLINIC
Kirksville, MO 10/9/20 – More than 120 people have registered for the free COVID-19 testing drive-through clinic scheduled for Monday, Oct. 12, from 7 a.m. until noon at the NEMO Fairgrounds. If you have not pre-registered for the test, you are still invited to participate since there are tests still available.
You do not have to be exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 to be tested, and there is no charge for the test. Standard nasopharyngeal swab tests (PCR) will be administered with results in three to five days. Although you need to be a Missouri resident for this testing site, you do not have to be a resident of Adair County.
People should wear masks to protect staff administering the tests. Participants should enter the NEMO Fairgrounds from the Patterson Street entrance.
The clinic is being coordinated by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services and the Missouri National Guard.
ADAIR COUNTY HITS 400 CASES OF COVID-19
Kirksville, MO 10/8/20 – Six cases of COVID-19 confirmed today by the Adair County Health Department puts the year-to-date total at 400. The new cases involve females ages 18, 36 and 75, and males ages 18, 19 and 68. Three of the cases are in the higher education sector.
There are now 43 active cases and 357 people who have left isolation. The Health Department has completed 1,485 contact tracing calls.
In this week’s report to governors from the White House Coronavirus Task Force, Missouri continued to be in the red zone with the 11th highest case rate in the country. Red zone states exceed 101 cases per 100,000 people for a seven-day period. Missouri’s rate was 155. Kirksville was listed in the yellow zone among localities in the State of Missouri.
HALLOWEEN AMID RISING CASES OF COVID-19
Kirksville, MO 10/7/20 – As confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Adair County reached 394, residents are wondering if they can participate in Halloween safely. Five new cases confirmed today involve females ages 18, 20, two age 23, and 45. Two cases are in the higher education sector and two other cases are in households with a previously confirmed case.
There are 38 active cases and 356 people who have left isolation. An 81-year-old male who was discharged from Northeast Regional Medical Center on Oct. 2 was readmitted on Oct. 6. He is not on a ventilator. There are now six Adair County residents hospitalized in Kirksville and Columbia.
“Halloween isn’t canceled this year,” said Jim LeBaron, administrator of the Adair County Health Department. “But, as with everything else we do these days, everyone needs to take precautions to celebrate safely.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website provides guidance for celebrating any event safely. For Halloween specifically, it lists some activities families might try this year:
- Carving or decorating pumpkins with members of your household and displaying them
- Carving or decorating pumpkins outside, at a safe distance, with neighbors or friends
- Decorating your house, apartment, or living space
- Doing a Halloween scavenger hunt where children are given lists of Halloween-themed things to look for while they walk outdoors from house to house admiring Halloween decorations at a distance
- Having a virtual Halloween costume contest
- Having a Halloween movie night with people you live with
- Having a scavenger hunt-style trick-or-treat search with your household members in or around your home rather than going house to house
“People are trying to get creative this year,” LeBaron said. “You can search ‘Halloween during covid’ on the internet and find a lot of creative ideas for lowering infection risk while still enjoying the holiday.”
The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) recommends avoiding traditional trick-or-treating where kids other than families gather in close proximity on a front porch, and advises that people think about bagging treats and placing them at the edge of their porch or driveway for kids to pick up safely at a distance.
In particular, the CDC and DHSS advise that everyone avoid indoor parties and activities unless it’s with your own household, and avoid any event inside or outside where people not living in the same household gather without social distancing, even if wearing masks. People should avoid overuse of alcohol, which impairs judgment, and avoid traveling out of town for events. People should also not go to haunted houses where people might be screaming which spreads virus droplets in the air.
The CDC also recommends that older adults and those with health conditions that make them more susceptible to the virus should consider not participating in Halloween festivities.
“Halloween is like any other event during the pandemic,” LeBaron said. “There’s not a holiday of any kind from taking precautions and lowering risk of transmission of the virus. Wear masks. Stay with your family unit or social bubble. Practice social distancing and good hand hygiene,” he said.
“We each have to do what it takes to protect others, plain and simple,” said LeBaron. “That starts with the most important thing: If you or anyone in your household doesn’t feel well or is suffering from any of the symptoms of COVID-19, do not leave your home. We don’t want to see cases spike in November because people failed to take precautions on October 31st. Halloween can still be fun. We all just need to be a little creative to enjoy it safely,” he said.
SEVEN NEW CASES OF COVID-19 CONFIRMED TODAY
Kirksville, MO 10/6/20 – Seven new cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed today among Adair County residents. Six of the new cases are in the higher education sector. Two are at addresses where at least one case was confirmed previously.
The new cases involve two 19-year-old females and a 60-year-old female, and three 19-year-old males and a 22-year-old male. The new cases bring the year-to-date total to 389.
There are currently 33 active cases, including five residents who are hospitalized although none have required a ventilator. Three hundred fifty-six people have left isolation since the first case was confirmed in March.
The Adair County Health Department reminds residents that there is a free drive-through COVID-19 testing clinic on October 12, 2020, and the annual drive-through flu clinic, October 14, 2020. Both are at the NEMO Fairgrounds.
Pre-registration for the testing clinic is required and can be done online at health.mo.gov/communitytest. If you do not have internet access, you can call the Missouri COVID-19 Hotline at 877-435-8411 to register.
ADDITIONAL CASES SINCE FRIDAY PUT ADAIR COUNTY AT 382 YEAR TO DATE
Kirksville, MO 10/5/20 – An additional nine confirmed cases of COVID-19 since last Friday has put Adair County’s year-to-date count at 382 cases. Thirty cases are active and 352 have left isolation. The Adair County Health Department has completed more than 1,450 contact tracing calls.
Cases confirmed Saturday, Oct. 3 include males ages 2, 19 and 50, and a 27-year-old female who is a household contact with the child.
Cases confirmed Oct. 4 involve females ages 22 and 23. Cases confirmed today include males ages 49 and 62, and a 60-year-old female admitted to University of Missouri Hospital yesterday. She has not required a ventilator.
Two of the seven new cases are in the higher education sector and one works at an area meat-processing plant. A 48-year-old male previously identified was discharged from Northeast Regional Medical Center on Saturday and admitted to Boone Hospital in Columbia on Sunday. The patient has not required a ventilator.
TWO MORE ADAIR COUNTY RESIDENTS TEST POSITIVE FOR COVID-19
Kirksville, MO 10/2/20 – An 18-year-old female in the higher education sector and a 34-year-old male have tested positive for COVID-19. The Adair County year-to-date total now stands at 373.
An 81-year-old male admitted to Northeast Regional Medical Center on September 29 was discharged to his home today. There are currently 27 active cases and 346 individuals who have left isolation.
The Adair County Health Department reminds residents that there is a free drive-through COVID-19 testing clinic on October 12, 2020, and the annual drive-through flu clinic, October 14, 2020. Both are at the NEMO Fairgrounds.
Pre-registration for the testing clinic is required and can be done online at health.mo.gov/communitytest. If you do not have internet access, you can call the Missouri COVID-19 Hotline at 877-435-8411 to register.
ADAIR COUNTY STARTS OCTOBER WITH 371 CASES
Kirksville, MO 10/1/2020 – Two more cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed today by the Adair County Health Department. A 20-year-old female infected by community spread and a 54-year-old female with a travel-related case bring the year-to-date total to 371.
A 68-year-old female identified previously was admitted to Boone Hospital in Columbia yesterday. Three Adair County residents remain at Northeast Regional Medical Center and another remains at the VA Hospital in Columbia. None have required use of a ventilator.
There are 27 active cases and 344 individuals who have left isolation. The Health Department has completed 1,399 contact tracing calls.
