Month: January 2021

With 25 new COVID-19 cases confirmed by the Adair County Health Department over the three-day holiday weekend and another 24 cases confirmed yesterday, the total case count has risen to 1,814. The County also recorded its 12th and 13th COVID-related deaths. There are currently 109 active cases and 1,692 people who have left isolation. The deaths involve an 85-year-old male who had been hospitalized at the VA Hospital in Columbia. A 71-year-old male died on Jan. 2, one day after testing positive for COVID-19.

Adair County closed out 2020 with 1,764 COVID-19 cases, 104 active cases, 1,649 people who left isolation and 11 COVID-related deaths. There were a total of 55 hospitalizations. As of December 31st, there were eight active cases currently hospitalized. Five are at Northeast Regional Medical Center, one at University Hospital, one at the VA Hospital in Columbia, and one at Barnes Jewish in St. Louis. One patient among the eight is on a ventilator.

It’s time for some to get another vaccine shot. The Adair County Health Department will be administering the second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine to the people who received the initial dose in December. The second dose is required to boost the efficacy of the vaccine. Those who received the first dose on December 21st must receive their second dose on January 11th. Those who received the first dose on December 23rd must receive their second dose on January 13th. Everyone getting the 2nd dose must pre-register and schedule a time by calling the Health Department at 660-730-6100 or 660-730-6200 during business hours. Upon verification of their first dose and completion of registration, participants will be given a unique registration code that must be provided prior to vaccine administration.

A New Year’s Eve fire in downtown Macon left a business damaged along with apartments above. The Macon Fire Department responded to the building on fire at 118 N. Rollins Street just before 9PM on Thursday. The fire was brought under control in approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes. The occupants were not home at the time of the fire. There was extensive fire damage to the residential area of the building with smoke and water damage to the business below. There was also smoke and water damage to one adjoining building. The cause of the fire is under investigation. The Macon Fire Department was assisted by the Macon Rural Fire Department, Bevier Fire Protection District, Macon County Ambulance District, Macon Police Department, and the Macon Municipal Utilities.

The City of Kirksville declared a Snow Emergency last night due to snow and ice. That means no vehicles can parked in Emergency Snow Routes, including City streets in the Downtown, or Central Business District. The City expects the Snow Emergency to be terminated sometime early tomorrow morning.

A Winter Storm Warning is in effect until 9 p.m. for Adair, Knox, Linn and Macon Counties. A Winter Weather Advisory is in effect until 8 p.m. for Putnam, Schuyler and Sullivan Counties,

Recipients of the awards for K-REDI’s The COVID Stops With Us Recognition Program have been announced.

The first 2 Medical Champions are: Lori Guffey and Julie Noah. Guffey is the assistant administrator and nurse at the Adair County Health Department, and was for nominated working tirelessly during the pandemic trying to keep the community safe. Noah is the Chief Quality Officer for the Northeast Regional Medical Center where she plays a major role on the infection control team.

The first Education Champions are Nancy Daley-Moore and Ann Gray. Daily-Moore is the Assistant Professor of Health Science at Truman State University, and is responsible for the contact tracing which takes place on campus. Gray is the principal at Mary Immaculate Catholic School in Kirksville, and was nominated for making difficult decisions that kept students and staff safe.

The first Community Champions are business owner Andrea O’Brien and the Adopt-A-Child program. O’Brien made hundreds of masks for the local community. The Adopt-A-Child program took on the challenges of COVID-19 to ensure children in our area still had a bright Christmas.

To nominate champions in the community who have contributed to the citizens of Kirksville and Adair County in a meaningful way during the COVID 19 pandemic, fill out the form on K-REDI’s website.