Month: January 2021

Adair County’s COVID-related death toll reached 15 yesterday with confirmation of two more deaths: A 63-year-old female who had been on a ventilator at University Hospital in
Columbia since November 20th and a 75-year-old male admitted to Northeast Regional Medical Center on December 25th and placed on a ventilator on January 1st both passed away yesterday.

The Adair County Health Department also confirmed 18 new cases, raising the total to 1,880. There are now 104 active cases and 1,761 people who have left isolation. A 42- year-old female, whose case was among those reported Wednesday, was also admitted to Northeast Regional on January 6th.

The new cases include six people who reside at addresses with at least one other confirmed case. Three are in the K-12 schools sector and one is in the higher education sector.

There was a peaceful ending to a standoff yesterday morning in Kirksville. The police department has released details about the event that unfolded at approximately 1:37 am when the Adair County E911 Center received multiple 911 calls from a 29-year-old male stating he planned to harm police officers and himself. It was determined the male was calling from a residence in the 900 block of East McPherson Street. Police had previously attempted to locate man in reference to valid warrants for his arrest.

Kirksville Officers were able to negotiate with the man by phone and after about four-and-a-half hours convinced him to surrender. His identity is not being released at this time and medical/mental health services are being provided to him.

KPD thanks those that contributed to the successful outcome of the situation, including the affected residents in the area. The Police Department was assisted by the Adair County Sheriff’s Department, Truman State University Police Department, and Adair County Ambulance District.

Another 31 new cases of COVID-19 were confirmed yesterday by the Adair County Health Department, bringing the overall count to 1,862. Two cases reported Tuesday were removed upon confirmation that they reside outside of Adair County. Those cases include a 26-year-old female from Macon County and a 33-year-old female from Schuyler County. There are now 127 active cases, 1,722 people who have left isolation, and 13 COVID-related deaths. Of the new cases, there are four each in the K-12 schools and skilled nursing facility sectors. Sixteen reside at addresses with at least one other confirmed case.

The health department also reported that as of yesterday’s press release, nearly 1,000 of the 1,100 people slated to receive the second dose of the COVID vaccine have been registered for next week’s drive-through clinic.

Missouri leaders denounced events in the nation’s capitol yesterday when rioters supporting President Donald Trump stormed the U.S. Capitol. Senator. Roy Blunt, called the violence shameful. Congressman Sam Graves called the violence and lawlessness unacceptable and un-American. The entire Congress was forced to flee after the mob rushed into the building to stop the certification of the Electoral College vote. It took hours for police to clear the building. Last night, Congress resumed the certification of the presidential election.

Kirksville’s mask mandate continues. During this week’s City Council Meeting, Mayor Zac Burden called it a good health procedure that prevents COVID-19 cases from going higher. City leaders also said they want to see what happens to local COVID numbers following the holiday. The council is revisiting the mask mandate on a monthly basis. The county and city-wide mask mandates were implemented in late November. The health ordinance establishes fines to be assessed for violations about refusing to wear masks, and refusing to quarantine.

The Adair County Health Department confirmed 19 new cases of COVID-19 yesterday. There have now been 1,833 confirmed cases with 111 currently active and 1,709 people who have left isolation. Thirteen residents have died from COVID-related complications. Of the new cases, five are in households with at least one other confirmed case and two are in the K-12 schools sector.
A 75-year-old male admitted to Northeast Regional Medical Center on Christmas Day was placed on a ventilator on January 1st. An 85-year-old female also admitted on December 25 was discharged on January 4th.

Macon County is seeing reinfections of COVID-19. In a press release yesterday, the Health Department said they are starting to see cases where people who have tested positive for COVID-19 in the past are getting it again. Health officials are reminding residents that if you have tested positive for COVID-19 in the past, you should continue to take precautions especially after your 90 days of immunity. The health department says they are unsure at this time how hard it impacts the health of those that are reinfected.

You’ll want to check your calendar for recycling collection. RTS Waste Services, LLC – the City’s waste services provider, has provided a corrected 2021 calendar for recycling collection, glass recycling collection, and holidays without trash or recycling pick up. The corrected 2021 calendar can be found on the city’s website at: www.kirksvillecity.com/trash. The calendar that was mailed to City utility customers on the back page of the January 2021 edition of the Kirksville Connection is incorrect. The corrected calendar will be mailed to City utility customers as part of the February 2021 edition of the Kirksville Connection. For more information, contact Public Information at 660.627.1224.

A Kirksville woman is recovering after a crash in Callaway County Friday morning. According to a Missouri State Highway Patrol report, 31-year-old Mary M. Eells, was driving on a county road when she travelled off the right side of the roadway and struck an embankment. Eells was transported by Callaway County EMS to University Hospital with moderate injuries.

Here’s the latest for those needing to register for their second COVID-19 vaccine dose. The Adair County Health Department is fielding a lot of calls from people who received the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine in December. Jim LeBaron, administrator of the health department, said yesterday was the first day of registration and by noon they’d completed scheduling for more than 150 individuals. To accommodate the heavy call volume, two phone lines have been set up exclusively to field calls for registration: 660-730-6100 or 660-730-6200 weekdays during the hours of 8AM-5PM. LeBaron said to keep trying even if the line is busy. He asks everyone to be patient and says those who received the first dose will get a second dose – you just need to register a time slot on the appropriate date and the health department will be assisting with that all week.

Those who received the first dose on Dec. 21, 2020 must receive their second dose on Jan. 11, 2021. Those who received the first dose on Dec. 23, 2020 must receive their second dose on Jan. 13, 2021. They