New COVID Cases Adair and Sullivan County

With 26 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed yesterday, the August case
total in Adair County has reached 238. The total number of cases confirmed in the month of July was 203. The overall case count is 2,997.

Sullivan County added two new cases yesteday. They currently have 38 active cases.

Another Boil Order in Kirksville

Another boil order in Kirksville. This one is for residents on East Meadow Lane between Randall Drive and Woodland Drive. The boil order is in effect until approximately 4:00 pm tomorrow.

The boil order for East Dear Street between Randall Drive and Woodland Drive expires at 3:30 this afternoon.

28th COVID-19 Related Death in Adair County

The Adair County Health Department yesterday confirmed another 24 cases of COVID-19 and another COVID-related death. A 51-year-old female admitted to
Northeast Regional Medical Center August 6th passed away August 15th. Her death brings the total known among county residents to 28. The overall case count is now 2,971. There are 93 active cases and 2,850 people who have left
isolation. The age ranges of yesterday’s cases are 1 month old to 81 years old.

Jury Trials Suspended Again in Adair County

Due to high transmission of COVID-19 jury trials in some northeast Missouri counties are suspended. Presiding 2nd Circuit Judge Russell Steele made the decision last week that impacts trials in Adair, Knox and Lewis counties. Jury trials had just begun again in Adair County in June after being suspended for most of 2020 due to the pandemic. It’s likely jury trials won’t resume until September.

Brick Band Replacement Project to Begin August 23rd

The contractor for the City of #Kirksville, Jonathan Reiff Construction, will begin work on a sidewalk brick band replacement project in the Central Business District – or Downtown area – on August 23rd. The project will consist of removing the old brick pavers and replacing them with colored concrete in a stamped brick pattern. Sidewalks may be temporarily closed while the brick bands are replaced. However, access to businesses will be maintained throughout the project. The project area includes the west side of the 100 block of South Franklin Street, 100 block of East McPherson Street, the 100 block of South Marion Street, the 200 block of North Main Street, the 100 block of South Main Street, and various curb extensions on the Square.

Boil Order for Some in Kirksville

A 48-hour boil advisory has been issued for some in Kirksviile. The affected area includes East Dear Street between Randall Drive and Woodland Drive. The boil order is in effect until approximately 3:30 pm tomorrow

Adair County Health Department Lists Precautions to Reduce Spread of COVID-19 Delta Variant

The Adair County Health Department on Friday issued a list of precautions as COVID-19 cases continue to rise and the start of the 2021-2022 school year approaches. Based on the Health Department’s current surveillance and contact tracing, officials strongly recommend that all residents take the following steps: Use masks indoors including all schools, businesses, and public places. Get vaccinated if you are 12 years of age or older. Get a booster vaccination when they become available. Avoid gathering with other people whenever possible. Get tested for COVID-19 if you think you have been exposed to the virus. See the full list of recommendations posted on the Adair County Health Department’s Facebook page.

Masks Required on School Buses

Kirksville R-III so far will have no mask madate for students in the classroom, but that’s not the case for buses. The school district announced Friday that all passengers and drivers will be required to wear facemasks while on the bus. This is due to a Federal Mandate that does include school buses and will be in effect until the mandate is dropped.

Missouri Requests Federal Disaster Declaration to Receive Reimbursements for Damage to Public Infrastructure

Governor Mike Parson requested that the Federal Emergency Management Agency approve a major disaster declaration for Missouri to provide federal assistance to a total of 21 counties in response to severe storms and flooding that began on June 19 and continued through July 1. Among those counties included is Chariton County in Northeast Missouri. Governor Parson said that due to extremely heavy rains and significant flash flooding in late June, Missouri experienced nearly $7.3 million in damage to roads and bridges alone. The joint preliminary damage assessments, conducted by the State Emergency Management Agency, FEMA, and local officials began on July 8, and estimated a total of $10 million in damage to public infrastructure and emergency response costs eligible for federal assistance.

Kirksville R-III to Leave Mask Decisions to Parents

The Kirksville R-III School District will continue with its plan to not mandate masks for students when they return to the classroom this month. During this week’s School Board meeting, Superintendent Robert Webb said he’ll let local health care experts make those kinds of decisions, while he keeps the school’s focus on the educational aspect and total well-being of the kids.

The Adair County Health Department this week encouraged community members to return to wearing a mask and maintain social distance when in a public indoor space. Jim LeBaron, Adair County Health Department administrator, said taking those measures, and getting vaccinated will stop the rapid spread of the Delta variant here.