News Staff

After confirming 11 new cases of COVID-19 Wednesday and yesterday, the Adair County Health Department reports an overall case count of 3,578. There are 36
active cases and 3,508 people who have left isolation. Seven cases confirmed Wednesday include females ages 10, 19, 55 and 76 and males ages 56, 63 and 72. The four new cases yesterday involve females ages 12, 25 and 80 and a 48-year-old male. Five people reside at the same address as at least one other confirmed case. Two are in the K-12 schools sector, one is in the higher education sector, and one is employed at a skilled nursing facility in another county. Three are breakthrough cases.

The Missouri Department of Education and Secondary Education has issued a new
COVID-19 quarantine guideline for K-12 schools. The new option, called “Test to Stay,” allows students, teachers and staff identified as a close contact to somone infected with COVID-19, to stay in school and participate in extracurricular activities. This is only an option if the close contact doesn’t develop COVID-19 symptoms, continues to wear a face mask in school for 14 days after exposure, and receives at least three negative rapid COVID-19 tests in the first week of exposure. More details can be found at dese.mo.gov.

The Adair County Health Department has one more opportunity for residents ages 3 and older to get their annual flu vaccine while seated in their vehicles. The curbside vaccine clinic is today, from 2 p.m. until 4 p.m. at the Health Department offices, on South Jamison Street. No registration is required; however, masks are.
The flu vaccines are free to county residents, but Medicare and Medicaid (MO
HealthNet) beneficiaries are asked to bring their cards with them. Loose-fitting or short-sleeved shirts are recommended.

The Adair County Health Department is hosting a curbside vaccine event for COVID-19 Pfizer-BioNTech first, second and third doses and boosters at their offices on South Jamison Street. Call 660-665-8491 to register. In Adair County, 40.1 percent of residents have been fully vaccinated.

Other COVID-19 updates in Northeast Missouri…

The Sullivan County Health Department repoted a total of 10 new cases yesterday for a atotal of 1,211 cases with 17 deaths and 22 active cases. All of the new cases are determined to be community related.

The Macon County Health Department reported that during the week of October 6 – 12, there were 17 new cases. Currently, there are 23 active cases with 1 resident hospitalized.

The City of Kirksville’s Public Works Department, at the suggestion of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, had been conducting a free a chlorine conversion starting September 1st. This normal water treatment process is used to make sure the outer limits of the Adair County water supply is sanitized and provides quality tasting drinking water. This conversion process has been completed, and the city will be switching back to chloramines (the normal disinfection combination of chlorine and ammonia), beginning Tuesday, October 19th. If you have any quesitions, contact the Public Works Department at 660.627.1291.

Troop B investigated 5 injury crashes for the week of October 3 thru October 9. With 5 people being injured as a result of those crashes. 3 occupants of those vehicles were unrestrained which is a 60% unbuckled occupancy rate.

Troop B will be participating in a statewide speed enforcement operation on October 15-17th. During these dates enforcement personnel will concentrate their efforts on speeding, hazardous moving, seat belt, and distracted driving violations.

The Kirksville License Office is closing on November 5th. The office has been open for nearly 30 years. the closure is due to ongonig staffing issues that began with the pandemic.

Since last Friday, the Health Department has confirmed 13 new cases of COVID-19. The overall count is now 3,567 with 32 active cases, 3,501 people who have left isolation, and 34 deaths. A previously reported unvaccinated 63-year-old female was admitted to Northeast Regional Medical Center Oct. 11. She is not on a ventilator. New cases include females ages 14, 18, 26, 27, 43, 53, 56, 60 and 61. Males are ages 25, 51, 77 and 82. Four reside at addresses with another confirmed case, two are in the K-12 schools sector, and two are breakthrough cases.

Governor Mike Parson announced that new Acting Directors will take over at the Department of Economic Development, Department of Mental Health, Department of Social Services, Office of Administration, and Department of Revenue. As for the Department of Social Services, Acting Director Jennifer Tidball is stepping down from her current role to resume her position as Chief Operating Officer of DSS. Her transition will be effective October 18th. Robert Knodell, Deputy Chief of Staff to Governor Parson, will become Acting Director of DSS. Knodell will resign from the Office of the Governor, effective October 17, prior to joining DSS.

Farm equipment is made to perform specific tasks on the farm, in addition to navigating roadways. The Northeast Coalition for Roadway Safety encourges drivers to keep everyone safe, by giving farmers plenty of room to operate. The most common collisions occur when the approaching motorist hits a farm vehicle from behind (rear-end collision), or when a passing motorist hits a farm vehicle that is attempting to make a wide left turn (left sideswipe).