Polk County Moves to Step 3

by | Jun 23, 2020 | COVID-19, Response & Recovery

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact:

Carol Bookhout, Public Information Officer

carol.bookhout@polkcountyhealth.org

Media Line: (417)326-7250

After Four Weeks of COVID-19 Recovery Phase 2 Step 3 Begins June 23

POLK COUNTY, MO 6/23/2020 – Polk County moves to Phase 2-Step 3 of its COVID-19 Response and Recovery Plan starting 12:01a.m. Tuesday, June 23, in alignment with the Recovery Plan released April 29, 2020 by the Polk County Health Center. 

“The data collected each day regarding the four elements needed to assure public health and safety, confirms our state of readiness to move forward, says Michelle Morris, Polk County Health Center Administrator. Each day our team assesses the number of cases, availability of hospital beds, the county testing capabilities and our contact tracing capacity.  Currently, Polk County continues to meet high levels of progress in each area.”

Moving to the next step is of the Recovery Plan is a collaborative decision by officials from Polk County, the City of Bolivar and Citizens Memorial Hospital.  The transition into future steps and into Phase 3 will be determined from data collected by the Polk County Health Center epidemiology team as they examine the daily impact of the virus on the community.

Step 3 continues the reopening of communities by adherence to Governor Parson’s business occupancy limitations and extends mass gatherings limit to 250.  All interactions within the community are required to maintain physical distancing strategies.  High risk individuals should continue to limit interactions to those that are considered vital.

Business/Organizations:  Businesses must continue to apply physical distancing strategies in all facilities.  All occupancy restrictions will follow the guidelines for the State of Missouri.  When possible, business operations should be conducted remotely.

Mass gatherings:  Mass gatherings of less than 250 individuals may resume.  The limitation of 250 individuals pertains to all individuals at an event or location.  The total number individuals may not be divided among different portions of a location- e.g. different rooms or fields.  All mass gatherings are required to apply physical distancing standards.

Churches: Churches may hold in-person services as long as the social distancing requirements are followed.  Places of worship are also encouraged to continue use of alternative means of services through streaming services and other opportunities.  Protocols implemented regarding routine cleaning procedures.  Mass gathering limitations do not apply to churches.

All vulnerable individuals should continue to limit outings to those that are essential and utilizing face coverings and other protective measures when in public places.  Members of households with vulnerable residents should be aware that by returning to work or other environments where distancing is not practical, they could carry the virus back home.  Precautions should be taken to isolate from vulnerable residents.

Visits to senior living facilities and hospitals should be limited and follow strict guidelines.  Those who interact with residents and patients must adhere to strict protocols regarding hygiene, including the wearing of face coverings. 

Schools:  All schools are permitted to remain open.  Physical distancing and personal protection strategies should be applied to full capability.  Protocols implemented regarding regular hand hygiene of students, teachers and staff as well as routine cleaning procedures.

Travel:  Continue to minimize travel to essential travel only and adhere to CDC Guidelines regarding isolation following travel.  If domestic travel is required individuals shall consider the mode of travel; who they will be traveling with and what activities they will be engaged in while traveling.  These factors will be considered when determining if 14-day quarantine is recommended.  If travel is required internationally or to areas where there are outbreaks of the virus, 14-day quarantine is recommended.

For more information about the Response and Recovery plan visit our website at www.polkcountyhealthcenter.org.