COVID-19 Alert to Knox County Business and Organizations
By Lori Moots-Clair, Knox County Health Department Administrator
Knox County – November 21, 2020 – Health department officials are alerting Knox County Businesses/Organizations that there is a high risk for Covid-19 transmission currently. Our positivity rates have exceeded 36%, compared to state positivity rates of 23%. Hospital based ER and in-patient testing continue to be a source of reporting for Knox County, as well as local urgent care centers. Hospitals around us report increasing need for support, as well as limited in-patient capacity. This along with high numbers of staff absence due to illness and symptomatic quarantine, presents a medical issue in our region. Governor Mike Parson has issued a public health warning, indicating all gathering in all areas of Missouri should be limited to less than 10 in attendance when positivity rates are above 9%.
Public wearing of masks still appears to be at a low level, and it is imperative that businesses enforce this internally to protect not only their patrons, but also their staff. We currently have no orders in place for masking, distancing, etc. In the absence of orders, we make this request to those who do wish to help stop/slow the spread.
Starting now, we request that businesses and organizations utilize the following practices:
Consider work/participation from home options, increased distancing in the workplace, drive up and phone in services, on-line participation methods, etc.
We’d encourage restaurants and food service establishments to return to as many of the protective policies utilized in April/May 2020 as possible (including distancing/eliminated community seating, eliminating self-service items, etc.)—again this is not an order, but a REQUEST.
Maintain physical distance of a minimum of six feet between you and all those you serve and make opportunities for clients/guests to have acceptable distancing between themselves as well.
Mandate the use of face masks when in your establishment.
Post hand-washing, face mask and stay home if sick signs.
Wash your hands multiple times a day.
Make hand sanitizer accessible to employees and customers.
Avoid special events that encourage the congregation of multiple households.
Review sick leave policies and make sure employees/participants are aware of such policies.
Conduct your internal risk assessment and eliminate as many avenues for spreading of Covid-19 as possible.
Symptoms of Covid-19 may include any of the following:
Cough, Shortness of Breath, Difficulty Breathing
Fever or Chills
Headache or Muscle Aches
Nausea, Vomiting or Diarrhea
New Loss of Taste or Smell
Testing for Covid-19 does not change self-quarantine suggestions but may indicate need for isolation and further contact tracing if positive result is found. Currently if you or yours are first line contacts of a positive case public health requests self-quarantining for 14 days and avoiding contact with anyone outside the household (essential employers should talk with their employees regarding protocols for Covid-19 positives and contacts). Should symptoms arise, notify public health, and consider testing.
The participation of businesses and organizations in the county will be necessary to slow the spread of Covid-19 and to prevent subsequent morbidity and mortality in Knox County. We appreciate your willingness to conduct your internal risk assessments, adjust as necessary and welcome your calls at any time to discuss further planning. Call us at 660.397.3396.
Issued by Governor Mike Parson and the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services
Missouri – November 20, 2020 – The 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.
We will continue to take a balanced approach to Missouri’s COVID-19 response. Our approach is data-driven and based upon the most recent research. We have learned much since the start of the pandemic about how to live and work responsibly in the COVID-19 environment. Until a vaccine is made available to the general population in 2021, the most effective weapon against COVID-19 remains prevention.
We do not need to lockdown our communities if people do the right things to fight the spread of the virus. Due to extreme COVID-19 risks, the State of Missouri issues the following public health warning to set expectations for all individuals living and/or working in Missouri and for our local jurisdictions:
Personal Behavior Advisory
The foundation for our success in fighting COVID-19 remains individuals doing the right thing. To protect our families, our neighbors, our communities, and our ability to continue our daily lives, we need everyone who is able to follow these basic principles:
• 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 multiple times a day.
• Stay home when sick or if you have symptoms. Self-isolate from other family members.
• As much as possible, limit your regular interactions to a small group (<10) of family members, friends, and/or co-workers if living in a Category 1 or 2 community.
Business Advisory
In addition to the basic guidance for individuals, all businesses are advised to implement basic infection prevention measures informed by industry best practices:
• Modify physical works paces 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 flexibility and protections, including:
o Encouraging tele-work whenever possible and feasible with business operations;
o Working in phases and/or split shifts, if possible;
o Limiting access to common areas where personnel are likely to congregate and interact; and
o Ensuring that sick leave policies are flexible and consistent with public health guidance.
Travel Advisory
We want to minimize the risks of COVID-19 spread within Missouri and across states, especially as we approach the holiday season.
• 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.
Local Government Advisory
Missouri is a diverse state with diverse communities. A core principle of Missouri government is that we embrace local-level decision making tailored to each community’s unique needs. At the same time, Missourians live and work together. Most importantly, our healthcare systems are interconnected. What happens in one county affects its neighbors. Consequently, the State of Missouri government provides a baseline of public health standards and expectations. Local communities can establish higher, more stringent standards above the State’s public health advisory baseline.
In light of the COVID-19 challenge, the State of Missouri’s COVID-19 advisory provides expectations for communities based upon their localized public health data. This advisory acknowledges different jurisdictions will face different situations as the COVID-19 challenge evolves.
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 found at: https://showmestrong.mo.gov/publichealth-county/. Data on this link is updated daily.
Category 1 County Action Plan: Extreme Risk
Criteria for county:
• PCR 7-day positivity rate: 15% or above (using CDC method), and
• 7 day case rate per 100k: 350 or above
Business occupancy: Occupancy limits reflective of social distancing.
Social group size: 10 or less.
[NOTE: For the purposes of this advisory, “social group” is defined as any planned or spontaneous event
or convening that would bring together a group of people in a single space at the same time, excluding
normal business activities, religious services, schools and school activities, and extended family
gatherings.]
Masks: Strongly advised 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: Occupancy limits reflective of social distancing.
Social group size: 25 or less.
Masks: Advised 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: Advised in all offices and businesses with 10+ people where social distancing is not possible.
