FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact:

Carol Bookhout, Public Information Officer

carol.bookhout@polkcountyhealth.org

Media Line: (417)326-7250

Health Center Employee Positive for COVID-19

A Polk County Health Center employee has tested positive for COVID-19. The employee was fever free and masked while working July 13, 14, 15 and has not worked since 3 p.m. July 15. The employee developed a fever the evening of July 15 and was tested the morning of July 16. Test results were received the afternoon of July 16. There was limited exposure to clients in the health center during the infectious period.  Polk County Health Center administration is contacting all direct exposures, including all affected clients. The employee is at home in quarantine and is being monitored by Polk County Health Center contact tracing staff.

Polk County Health Center follows the Center for Disease Control guidelines. All employees are screened daily for COVID-19 symptoms, have their temperature taken before being allowed to work and must wear a mask.  Additional preventative measures include extensive hand-washing, practicing social distancing and restricting in-person appointments.

Polk County Health Center will continue to provide limited services to the public using drive-through services for WIC, family planning, birth and death certificates and tele-health appointments for women’s health and free clinic clients. The Summer Food Program will continue with the help of community partners, Community Outreach Ministries, Bolivar Area Chamber, KLIFE, Bank of Bolivar, First Baptist Church, Bolivar and the United Methodist Church, Bolivar, as well as several individual community members. 

“The health and safety of our community remains our top priority,” says Michelle Morris, Administrator. “Our employees follow strict infection prevention protocols, which should minimize the risk to any of our patrons during the infectious period. We will continue to work diligently to keep the residents of our community healthy and safe.”