News Staff

With confirmation of another 19 new COVID-19 cases Friday, Adair County’s total case count rose to 2,069. There are 100 active cases and 1,954 people who have left isolation. A previously reported 82-year-old male was admitted to Northeast Regional Medical Center on January 20. He is not requiring use of a ventilator. Four of Friday’s cases are in the higher education sector and one is in the K-12 schools’ sector. Nine cases reside at addresses with at least one other confirmed case.

Elsewhere in Northeast Missouri, The Putnam County Health Department confirmed 26 additional COVID-19 cases on Friday since their previous report on January 14th. The Sullivan County Health Department confirmed one additional case on Saturday. They now have two active probable cases, and 20 active cases.

The Adair County Health Department confirmed another 14 new cases of COVID-19 yesterday. The total case count is now 2,050 with 97 active cases and 1,938 people who have left isolation. Of the new cases, one is in the K-12 schools’ sector and two are in the higher education sector. Eight of the new cases reside at addresses with at least one other confirmed case.

The COVID-19 guidelines established by Truman State University last fall will carry over into the spring semester as the University faces rising cases in Adair County and the addition of academic breaks. Campus COVID-19 guidelines, such as mask requirements in buildings, social distancing, and capacity limits on events, are still in effect this spring. Despite the University adding academic breaks into the spring schedule, Faculty Senate President Scott Alberts said the COVID-19 working group recommends students, faculty and staff not travel to prevent spread of the coronavirus. As of Monday, Alberts said the University had not seen any transmission of the virus in the classroom.

The City of Kirksville is hosting a public forum today to discuss the city’s application for 2 grants.
The application to MoDOT’s Transportation Alternatives Program grant – if approved – would assist with the construction of a multi-modal sidewalk along North New Street, from North Baltimore Street to East Mill Street, and along East Mill Street from North New Street to North Baltimore Street.

The City’s MoDNR Land and Water Conservation Fund grant application – if approved – would assist with the replacement of the current restroom at Patryla Park with a new ADA accessible restroom and construct a new ADA accessible restroom next to the Spur Pond parking lot, also within Patryla Park.

The forum is at 4PM today in the Council Chambers at City Hall., and via the City’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/cityofkirksville

The Adair County Health Department confirmed 20 new cases of COVID-19 yesterday, bringing the total case count to 2,036. There are 96 active cases and 1,925 people who have left isolation.
Of the new cases, three are in the higher education sector and eight reside at addresses with at least one previously confirmed case.

New troopers have been assigned to Troop B, which serves Northeast Missouri. The three new troopers of the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s 110th Recruit Class will report for duty on February 16th. Trooper Cole T. Hinshaw has been assigned to Zone 6, Clark and Scotland counties. He is a native of Shelbyville. Trooper Nicholas C. Keller has been assigned to Zone 4, Putnam and Sullivan counties. He is a native of Philadelphia, Missouri. Trooper Cody J. Snyder has been assigned to Zone 4, Putnam and Sullivan counties. He is a native of Kirksville, and a 2016 graduate from Truman State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in criminal justice.

Clinical volunteers are wanted in Adair County to administer COVID-19 vaccine. The Adair County Health Department is seeking volunteer health professionals to help its staff administer the vaccine to residents at planned “Curbside Clinics.” The effort is designed to provide increased opportunities for Adair County residents to be vaccinated as soon as additional doses are available. The Curbside Clinics are currently planned for Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekly. If there are enough volunteers. The Health Department is seeking health professionals with credentials including RN, LPN, EMS, EMT and paramedics who will work a minimum of four hours at a time at the Health Department property in Kirksville.

Health professionals interested in volunteering should email Jamie Keller, RN, at
jamie.keller@lpha.mo.gov to submit a copy of their current license and be scheduled for the
Curbside Clinics.

Adair County surpassed 2,000 COVID-19 cases. The confirmed case total now stands at 2,016. There are 83 active cases and 1,918 people who have left isolation. This case update includes cases from Saturday, through yesterday. There were seven new cases confirmed on January 16th, 2 on the 17th, 12 on the 18th, and 15 new cases confirmed yesterday. Five of yesterday’s cases are in the K-12 schools sector and one is in the skilled nursing facility sector. Nine are in households with at least one other confirmed case. An 84-year-old male reported on January 14 and the 72-year-old male reported yesterday were both admitted to Northeast Regional. Neither has required use of a ventilator.

The second round of COVID-19 vaccines are scheduled for Kirksville. The limited number of doses will be administered to target groups, not to the general public. Target groups for the Jan. 27 drive-through at NEMO Fairgrounds include remaining long-term care workers, hospital and healthcare workers, first responders, social services workers, teachers and staff in K-12 schools, childcare workers, public works, critical manufacturing and government. Those who are in the target groups must pre-register for the drive-through by calling 660-730-6100 or 660-730-6200, weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Jim LeBaron, administrator of the Adair County Health Department is asking the public – particularly the general public age 65 and older – to be patient and not call either of the registration numbers. He says that while the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services did recently add people age 65 and older as a target group, they do not supersede the initial target groups. LeBaron says as the county receives more doses, they will vaccinate as many citizens age 65 and older as possible.

The next phase of Missouri’s COVID-19 Vaccination Plan has been activated. Tier 2 of Phase 1B focuses on protecting those who are at increased risk for severe illness, including individuals aged 65 and older and any adult with certain underlying conditions. According to Governor Parson’s Vaccination Distribution Team, about 2.5 million Missourians make up Phase 1B Tier 2. Right now, the state says the activation of Phase 1B Tier 3, which includes teachers and other essential workers, is yet to be determined. Visit MOStopsCovid.com to learn when vaccines may be available and how to receive them.