Vernon County Health Department

As of 1/12/2021 Vernon County has had 13, 933 negative PCR test reported to the Health Department. COVID-19 Vaccine Update: We know that many of you are anxiously awaiting the vaccine, and have many questions regarding how soon you could receive it. At this time we have submitted an application to the state, and are currently waiting to hear back on an approval. When we do receive the vaccine it will be administered per the guidelines put out by the CDC and DHSS. Those guid...elines can be viewed at the following link https://covidvaccine.mo.gov/ We will continue to update our community through our Facebook page, newspaper, and the radio station as we receive more information.

As of 1/4/2021 Vernon County Health Department has had 12,876 negative PCR test reported to us. Our staff has had a very busy last couple of weeks with COVID-19 in our communities, and has been doing their best to stay up to date with new cases being reported to us. We currently have approximately 30 cases that we have attempted to contact or have left messages with. We ask that if you have tested positive and have not heard from our office to please give us a call (417) 667...-7418. COVID-19 Vaccine Update: We have submitted an application to the state and are currently waiting for notification as to when we will receive vaccine. When we do receive the vaccine it will be administered per the guidelines put out by the CDC and DHSS. Those guidelines can be viewed at the following link https://covidvaccine.mo.gov/ We will continue to update our community as we receive more information. Stop the spread with you. Please do the following until contacted by our office: 1. If you are tested quarantine until you receive your test result. 2. If you are positive, isolate yourself from household members as soon as possible for 10 days. 3. Let your household and close contacts know that you tested positive and ask them to quarantine for 14 days from their last exposure to you. Close contact is anyone that is closer than 6 ft for more than 15 minutes total through a 24 hour period. Case Definitions: Probable: 1. Meets clinical criteria AND epidemiologic linkage with no confirmatory laboratory testing performed (means symptomatic with contact to a confirmed case, no test performed) 2. Meets presumptive laboratory evidence (this is the Antigen test or rapid test and can be symptomic or no symptoms) 3. Meets vital records criteria with no confirmatory laboratory evidence for SARS-CoV-2. Confirmed: Meets confirmatory laboratory evidence. (This is PCR testing) Our definition of recovered is fever-free for 24 hours without medication, Improvement of symptoms, and 10 days Have passed since the onset of symptoms or date of test if asymptomatic Vital Records Criteria: A death certificate that lists COVID-19 disease or SARS-CoV-2 as an underlying cause of death or a significant condition contributing to death.

Just a few reminders as we head into the holidays: Our office will close at 12:00 pm today and reopen at 1:00 pm on January 4, 2021. We will continue to work COVID-19 cases as they are reported to us. If you have any questions or need to reach us you can message us through our Facebook page and we will get back with you. We strongly encourage everyone that if you're not feeling well to please stay home. Please do not dismiss any signs of not feeling well before you leave the... house to spend time around others that would not be in your normal household. We are asking that everyone please help do their part to slow the spread of this virus by: social distancing (keeping greater than 6 feet of distance) when around others, wear a mask when social distancing can't be maintained, and frequently wash your hands. Stop the spread with you. Please do the following until contacted by our office: 1. If you are tested quarantine until you receive your test result. 2. If you are positive, isolate yourself from household members as soon as possible for 10 days. 3. Let your household and close contacts know that you tested positive and ask them to quarantine for 14 days from their last exposure to you. Close contact is anyone that is closer than 6 ft for more than 15 minutes total through a 24 hour period. Case Definitions: Probable: 1. Meets clinical criteria AND epidemiologic linkage with no confirmatory laboratory testing performed(means symptomatic with contact to a confirmed case, no test performed) 2. Meets presumptive laboratory evidence(this is the Antigen test or rapid test and can be symptomic or no symptoms) 3. Meets vital records criteria with no confirmatory laboratory evidence for SARS-CoV-2. Confirmed: Meets confirmatory laboratory evidence. (This is PCR testing) Vital Records Criteria: A death certificate that lists COVID-19 disease or SARS-CoV-2 as an underlying cause of death or a significant condition contributing to death. Our definition of recovered is fever-free for 24 hours without medication, improvement of symptoms, and 10 days have passed since the onset of symptoms or date of test if asymptomatic Graphic courtesy Cape Girardeau County Public Health Center

***FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE*** December 23, 2020 The Vernon County Health Department has received notification of a public exposure related to a positive COVID-19 case. This exposure was on Tuesday December 22, 2020 at Sharky’s Pub and Grub in Nevada, MO. If you were at this establishment between the times of 4pm 9pm we ask that you please monitor your health. If you develop any of the following signs or symptoms please contact your health care provider or local urgent care.... Symptoms of COVID-19: Fever >/= 100.4 Feeling feverish Chills Body Aches Runny nose or congestion Sore Throat Loss or change in your taste or smell Headache Fatigue Cough Wheezing Shortness of breath/difficulty breathing Chest pain or abdominal pain Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea If you need to be seen please call ahead to your provider. Remember to practice the 3 W’sWatch your distance, wear your mask, and wash your hands frequently.

As of 12/21/2020 we have had 11,068 negative PCR test reported back to us. There will be no COVID-19 update next week (12/28/20-12/31/20). Our next update will be released on Tuesday 1/5/2021. The holidays are here and our new cases are continuing to rise. We strongly encourage everyone that if you're not feeling well to please stay home. Please do not dismiss any signs of not feeling well before you leave the house to spend time around others that would not be in your norm...al household. We are asking that everyone please help do their part to slow the spread of this virus by: social distancing (keeping greater than 6 feet of distance) when around others, wear a mask when social distancing can't be maintained, and frequently wash your hands. We wish you all a safe and healthy Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year!