FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:
Carol Bookhout, Public Information Officer
carol.bookhout@polkcountyhealth.org
Media Line: (417)326-7250
Church and Residential Facility Exposures
POLK COUNTY, MO July 16, 2020 – The Polk County Health Center has confirmed 32 positive cases in Polk County. The additional cases have been traced to a church gathering at Sentinel Missionary Baptist Church, Polk and Mashburn Residential Learning Center, Bolivar. All those who may have come into contact with the individuals while infectious are being notified and will be monitored for fever and respiratory symptoms by the Polk County Health Center contact tracing staff. An opportunity for testing by the Health Center in cooperation with Citizens Memorial Hospital COVID-19 testing site will be provided to individuals identified as a direct contact by the PCHC staff.
The MRLC has worked in cooperation with the Polk County Health Center and the Missouri Department of Mental Health to provide testing for all clients and staff.
“We commend the center for their efforts to prevent the spread of the virus by requiring temperature checks and masks daily for all staff. When the first case was identified, their quick action has prevented the virus to spread throughout the center,” says Michelle Morris, PCHC Administrator.
The center has been closed to the public since March, including limited visits from healthcare providers. All parents and guardians have been notified and those individuals who have tested positive are quarantined away from the remaining population of clients. The positive tested staff will remain in quarantine and monitored by the county health department where they reside, following recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
As a result of the COVID-19 activity PCHC is notifying the public of potential community exposures. Before being diagnosed the cases visited Polk County establishments on the following dates:
Friday, July 10:
Woods Supermarket, Bolivar from 5-6pm (infectious and not symptomatic, not masked)
Saturday, July 11:
Walmart, Bolivar and Westlake Ace Hardware between 8 and 9am. (infectious and not symptomatic, not masked)
Walmart, Bolivar; Aldi, Bolivar; Woods Supermarket between 10:30am-noon (infectious and symptomatic, not masked)
Monday, July 13:
C&C Farm and Home, Bolivar at 1-1:15pm (infectious and symptomatic, not masked)
Tuesday, July 14:
Kum and Go, Bolivar at 9:30a.m. (infectious and symptomatic, masked)
Walgreens, Bolivar from 10-10:15a.m. (infectious, symptomatic, not masked)
Walmart, Bolivar from 4-4:15a.m. (infectious, symptomatic, not masked)
Anyone who was at these locations on these dates is at low risk for contracting COVID-19, but should monitor for symptoms. There is no need to self-quarantine or isolate unless symptoms develop.
As we continue to take steps to reopen our community, it is even more important for all of us to interact with our environment carefully. Remember 1-2-3. Wash hands (1), practice social distancing (2), and stay home if you are sick (3). Additionally, we encourage all residents to wear a face covering while in public areas, especially when social distancing may be difficult.
Symptoms of COVID-19 include:
- cough,
- fever,
- shortness of breath,
- chills,
- muscle pain,
- sore throat, and
- new loss of taste or smell.
If symptoms do develop, seek medical attention.
COVID-19 is spread through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It spreads between people who are in close contact with one another.
If you believe you have symptoms of COVID-19 please contact your primary care physician via phone or virtual visit for treatment recommendations.
“It is our responsibility to take steps to suppress COVID-19 in our community and interact with our environment carefully. If someone is sick or thinks they may be sick, please stay home. We will slow the spread of the virus if we all practice social distancing, proper hand hygiene and wear a face covering whenever in a public location,” says Michelle Morris, Polk County Health Center Administrator.
For more information, please visit the Polk County Health Center website: www.polkcountyhealthcenter.org