News Staff

The Adair County Health Department Board of Trustees voted on April 12, to lift the countywide mask mandate as of May 1, as long as positive cases of COVID-19 remain low. However, the health department advises residents to continue adhering to guidelines issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention regarding wearing masks, social distancing, and handwashing to avoid any resurgence of positive COVID-19 cases. Jim LeBaron, administrator of the Adair County Health Department, said that while the action taken by the Board of Trustees reflects increasing vaccination numbers and decreasing confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the county, the lifting of the mandate does not mean the pandemic is over.

MoDOT crews will be doing culvert work on routes in Adair County this week. Adair County Route D will be closed from Foliage Road to Lilac Road today between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Adair County Route T – will be closed from Sperry Way to Bristol Way tomorrow between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. that day. Motorists will need to use alternate routes during those times.

A situation at a Kirksville R-III school prompted a call to the police. In a message posted on the school district’s website, the Superintendent said yesterday afternoon a set of distraught parents approached one of the schools in a frenzied state of mind. In an abundance of caution the administrator called the police department to help manage the situation. The police determined there was no credible threat in the parent’s comments about their own safety. They also determined that at no time was the safety of any of the children at the school an issue. The Superintendent says the district is grateful for the swift response of the school principal Mrs.VanRie and her staff to this situation, which allowed school operations to return to normal quickly.

In Adair County, 23% of people are fully vaccinated. The number comes from the Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services. It also shows Adair County has administered more than 12,881 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. County health officials say the challenge they are having is people not wanting to get vaccinated. They told the Board of Trustees this week they have supply but lack demand. Jim LeBaron, administrator at the health department, estimates that half of the county’s population, doesn’t want a vaccine. He said this makes it difficult to protect the public and prevent disease.

The Adair County Health Department will be administering the 1st dost of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine curbside today at the Health Department located at 1001 S. Jamison, in Kirksville. The event is open to all individuals age 18 and older who have not yet received a vaccine. Find the link to make an appointment on the Adair County Health Department website homepage or Facebook page. The second dose of the vaccine will be given on Thursday, May 13th.

A.T. Still University’s public COVID-19 vaccine clinic for today has been postponed as the use of the Johnson & Johson vaccine has been paused. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the US Food and Drug Administration are recommending that the United States pause the use of the one-dose vaccine following six reported US cases of a “rare and severe” type of blood clot. All six cases were reported in women between 18 to 48, and symptoms appeared six to 13 days after vaccination. One person is currently in critical condition and another, a 45-year-old Virginia woman, died. Dr. Randall Williams, director of the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services said the state will follow federal guidance and pause the use of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine until further notice.

A man died in a crash in Shelby County Monday afternoon. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol report, 64-year-old Thomas Davidson, of Shelbyville, was traveling northbound on Route BB in a semi that was pulling a grain hopper trailer, when he failed to negotiate a curve, ran off the right side of the roadway and overturned. Davidson died at the scene from his injuries. The crash report says he was not wearing a safety device.

Adair County Public Library will be open for business with fewer restrictions starting today. Visitors can stop in for services without appointments. The library will still be doing curbside delivery for people who wish to stay in their vehicles. Call 660-665-6038 for curbside services. For those going inside, visitors are asked to wear a mask. New library hours will be Monday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Thursday and Friday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturdays 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Adair County Health Department voted to end its mask mandate effective May 1st. With cases continuing to remain low in the county, and only four active cases as of yesterday, the board of trustees voted unanimously to end the mask mandate. The board can bring it back if COVID-19 cases rise. Private businesses can still opt to require customers and employees to wear maskes if they wish.

Troop B investigated 7 injury crashes for the week of April 4 thru April 10. With 4 injuries being classified as moderate or serious injuries a result of those crashes. 3 occupants of those vehicles were unrestrained or not wearing a helmet on a motorcycle. April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month. In addition, Missouri’s new strategic highway safety plan, Show-Me Zero, provides information and strategies for all Missourians to help promote four key messages: buckle up, phone down, slow down and drive sober. The plan can be viewed in full at www.savemolives.com.