KIRX News

The Kirksville R-III School District has posted preliminary plans for school learning activities for the 2020-21 school year. The district is finalizing a four-level school instruction model – with Level 0 being the same learning model that was pre-COVID-19 with all students at school and no special protocols and restrictions. Level 3 is all on-site learning activities suspended with all PK-12 students moved to a complete distance-learning model.

Classes are scheduled to start on site with students physically present on August 25, however the district believes that due to COVID-19, it will not be at Level 0.

The district says that the plans outlined will be refined over the next several days, and they hope to release more comprehensive plans for each building soon.

No new cases of COVID-19 among Adair County residents were reported yesterday, holding the year-to-date case count at 109. Five people have left isolation since Tuesday leaving only six still in isolation.

The Macon County Health Department retracted Tuesday’s announcement of 3 new COVID-19 cases. During the course of contact investigation, it was discovered that these individuals live on the county line and actually reside in an adjoining county. Those cases have since been turned over to that county’s health department for follow up. That brings Macon County’s total count back to 39 overall cases and 25 active cases.

You’ll soon need to wear a mask to go shopping at a popular store. Walmart announced yesterday that it will require all customers to wear masks at all its stores nationwide starting on Monday. The retailer said it will create the role of health ambassador at its Walmart stores and will station them near the entrance to remind customers without masks of its new requirements.

Cases of COVID-19 reached 109 among Adair County residents yesterday. The four new cases are
A 27-year-old male, 64-year-old male, a 20-year-old female, and 21-year-old female. The 64-year-old man’s
case and the 21-year-old woman’s case are related to community spread. The 20-year-old and 27-year-old cases are related to travel. As of yesterday there are 11 people in isolation. Ninety-eight people have left isolation after testing positive since the beginning of the year. More than 3,000 tests have been performed in Adair County to date.

The Macon County Health Department announced 3 more positive COVID-19 cases, making a total of 42 cases to date, with 28 current active cases and 2 active positive hospitalized. 12 have been released from isolation.

Any Missouri resident can register for a free COVID-19 testing clinic administered by the Missouri National Guard that will be held at the Macon County Fairgrounds on Monday, July 20th, from 7 a.m. until 3 p.m. The Macon County Health Department, in collaboration with the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, is hosting the National Guard’s testing clinic. Registration is required, which can be done online at: www.health.mo.gov/communitytest. If you need assistance registering, contact the Missouri COVID-19 Hotline at 877-435-8411.

The 2020 Summer on the Square series has been cancelled. An announcement posted online says the
Kirksville Arts Association Board of Directors has been closely monitoring, evaluating, and assessing the series after each performance. Out of caution, the KAA determined it is in the best interest of the community to cancel the remainder of the season, and look forward to the return of the Summer on the Square series the first Friday of June 2021. In the meantime the KAA says they are committed to finding new ways to safely celebrate, foster, and share the arts during this uncertain time.

The Kirksville School District has released results of a survey about a reopening plan for the 2020-21 school year. The survey that was conducted June 24-29, sought to capture feelings related to a variety of topics amid the coronavirus pandemic.

For the question if school opens in August, do you plan to send your child to school? 74.3% of respondents said yes.

Only 49% said they would feel comfortable with minimal or no concerns of having their child attend school this fall if public health officials believe it is safe to allow in-person instruction with social distancing guidelines in place.

The majority of parents said If given a choice, and assuming all guidelines for reopening of schools have been met, they would prefer for their child to attend school physically at school with full day attendance.

See the survey results on the Kirksville R-III website.

Three more Adair County residents tested positive for COVID-19. The Adair County Health Department reported yesterday that A 64-year-old male, a 20-year-old female, and 21-year-old female are the latest cases, bringing the county’s year-to-date total to 108. The man’s case and the 21-year-old woman’s case are related to community spread and the 20-year-old’s case is related to travel. Twelve residents are currently in isolation and 96 people have left isolation.

Due to the COVID-19 outbreak in Macon County, the School District is temporarily canceling all extra-curricular activities starting today. This means there will be no more practices or playing of any games home or away. Superintendent Scott Jarvis says they will reconsider reopening activities once again on August 3.

Yesterday, the Macon County Health Department announced 3 more positive COVID-19 cases from the weekend, and the release of 4 individuals from isolation. There are 25 current active cases, 7 presumptive positive