KIRX News

Linn County has issued a Stay-At-Home order starting this morning. It will remain in effect until 8 am, April 24. Residents can go outside for walks and exercise, go to the store for groceries, go to medical appointments or the pharmacy, and employees can still go to work for those businesses identified by the Department of Homeland Security as essential.

The Kirksville City Council vote for a local Stay-At-Home Order happens during a Special City Council Meeting this evening at 5. This meeting will be broadcast live through the City of Kirksville’s YouTube Channel.

Five active cases of coronavirus Covid-19 are now under investigation In Adair County. The Adair County Health Department says none of the active cases are travel related. All five individuals are currently in isolation. The first case was reported on Monday, a 34-year-old female. As of yesterday, four other cases of the virus have been confirmed. One is a 35-year-old female. The other three, two 80-year-old males and a 58-year-old male, are in isolation at Kirksville Manor Care Center. Health Department staff are working in coordination with the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services to determine any close contacts of these individuals who were possibly exposed. If there were any, health officials will provide guidance to these individuals and monitor them closely for the development of symptoms.

The Kirksville City Council is considering a stay-at-home ordinance in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. A draft of this stay-at-home ordinance is available for review and comment by residents. Vew the draft ordinance here: www.kirksvillecity.com/filestorage/9701/9967/16590/DRAFT_STAY_AT_HOME.pdf

Submit your comments via email to kvcouncil@kirksvillecity.com, via telephone at 660.627.1225 during regular business hours. The City Council could vote on the order as soon as tomorrow

Elsewhere in Northeast Missouri, The Clark County Health Department has received confirmation of the first COVID-19 case in Clark County. The 50-60 year old Clark county resident is currently hospitalized and receiving medical care at Hannibal Regional Hospital.

This week the first case of COVID-19 has been confirmed in Linn County. According to the Linn County Health Department, the individual was tested by a private laboratory. The patient is currently self-isolating. Information on the patient is not being released by Linn County health officials. Linn County has drafted a stay at home order that will go into tomorrow at 8 tomorrow morning.

In Macon County there is a local and state case discrepancy. The state is reporting that county has 3 positive cases of coronavirus, but the Macon County Health Department says there are only two. They are working with the state to get the number corrected.

It’s Census Day! The City of Kirksville posted a message to social media that says when we all respond to the #2020Census, we get the representation we need in Congress. By today, most households will have received an invitation delivered either by mail or by a census taker. Starting on April 8th, reminder letters and paper questionnaires will be delivered to remaining households that have not responded. Locally, the Census will count the population and households, providing the basis for reapportioning congressional seats, redistricting, and distributing more than $675 billion in federal funds annually across the country – a portion of which supports our community’s vital programs, impacting housing, education, transportation, employment, health care, and public policy. For more information, contact Economic and Community Development at 660.627.1224.

Kirksville High School continues to try to extend learning opportunities to all students. Over 700 packets of homework were picked up by students last month and online instruction has been made available in most all classes, while trying to discern who lacks internet or computer access. Teachers have been in constant communication with students, and parents, in an attempt to keep everyone informed and try to motivate everyone to keep participating in the educational opportunities that are being provided. The district is investigating many options at this time on how we are going to handle grades in order to be fair and not penalize those that do not have the access to online materials. See the full update here.

kirksville.socs.net/vnews/display.v/ART/5e74dcf287462

The Macon County R-IV school district is extending the layoff due to COVID-19 until April 27th. School officials say this is the earliest date that regular classes and schedules will resume given the current data, requests, and regulations that are available and in place. The district will continue to adjust the return date as necessary. The administration and teaching staff are in the process of updating resources and processes for students during this time away from regular instruction. Information will be available soon and will be posted on the school district website as well as via the district’s notification system.

The Adair County Health Department yesterday announced the second confirmed case of Coronavirus COVID-19. The case is not travel-related and the patient, a 34-year-old female, is in isolation at home under medical management by Northeast Family Health. Health Department staff are working in coordination with the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services to determine any close contacts of that individual who were possibly exposed. If there were any, health officials will provide guidance to these individuals
and monitor them closely for the development of symptoms.

The individual who was the first confirmed case of COVID-19 in Adair County has been released from isolation, making this second case the only active case at this time.

The health department urges the public to take appropriate precautions including good hygiene, social distancing and limiting in-person interactions. If you are sick, particularly with a fever and a cough, or shortness of breath, stay home and contact your health care provider or urgent care center for guidance regarding symptoms and next steps.

Macon County Health Officials also confirmed a second case of COVID-19 yesterday. This case is community spread, meaning it was transferred person to person and is not travel related. The person has been in self quarantine since first exposure to help prevent further transmission to others. All of those who have been in direct contact with this individual have been contacted by the Macon County Health Department.