A COVID-19 particle is pictured in this image provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. [U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention photo]

Cases of COVID-19 continue to increase in Audrain County, with 30 new cases found in the last 14 days.

Audrain County Health Department Administrator Sandra Hewlett provided an update Wednesdy to community education, business, government and health care representatives during a weekly teleconference.

There are 233 total cases in the county as of Wednesday afternoon, with 24 active. Slightly more than 5,000 residents have been tested.

“We are averaging about 2.6 cases per day, or 30-something over the last 14 days,” Hewlett said. “So, we are active but not much as other counties.”

Audrain County residents who receive a rapid result — approximately 15 minutes — COVID-19 test outside of Audrain County, and receive a positive result, that is not tabulated in county numbers. They are categorized as a probable case because the chance for a false-positive or false-negative from that test is so high, Hewlett said. The nose swab PCR test, which has a longer turn around time, is the preferred test, she said.

“We are hoping we will see a slow down in these cases, but really the majority are following in the 20-30 year old age range,” Hewlett said. “[Transmission] can be as simple as a poker game on the weekend.”

NURSING HOME CONCERNS

Long-term care facilities in Mexico continue to follow quarantine practices for staff and residents. Concerns have increased in light of an outbreak among staff and residents at a Jefferson City facility.

“We have stressed to our staff how important when they are out to social distance, wear masks, because when you come to work, we are basically bringing what we have with us,” Nancy Early of Pin Oaks Living Center said.

Employee temperature and health screenings continue, vendors are not allowed inside the facility except in emergencies and exterior visits continue under six-foot distance provisions, with guests 17 or older and only two at one time.

Random staff testing has not happened, but may happen based on future guidance, Early said. Of the staff that were tested, they were required to stay home until learning test results.

“When Dr. [Deborah] Birx was at the Capitol yesterday, one of the things she emphasized was going to be getting more testing for the state of Missouri for nursing homes, so I think you are going to see more of that available,” Hewlett said.

The Jefferson City outbreak was connected to staff who had traveled to another area and brought the virus back to work, she said.

“More than 50% of all deaths [from COVID-19] are attributed to those 80 years old and older,” Hewlett said. “That has grown to be the pattern here in Missouri as well.

The increased testing should apply to all congregate housing, she said.

Any new residents at Pin Oaks are tested prior to admittance whether they come to the facility from SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital — Audrain or their home, Early said.

OTHER REPORTS

Community R-6 School District has been back in session for approximately 10 days. Students are wearing masks when social distancing is not possible, Superintendent Cheryl Mack said. Students have assigned seating to aid contact tracing. A majority of parents, even if they are not pleased with the mask guidance, are abiding by district rules out of safety concerns for their children, Mack said.

St. Joseph School in Martinsburg classes start Tuesday.

Audrain County Developmental Disability Services are waiting on test results to decide when staff can return to work at Handi-Shop Inc. In-person health monitoring will be provided. For those who use medical nebulizers, other options are being explored not only with Disability Services but within school districts.

For a person who uses nebulizers to receive lung treatments, it has to be done in a closed room, the person administering the treatment has to wear full personal protective equipment and the treatment room has to receive a complete disinfection and sanitation following treatment, Mexico School District Head Nurse Emily Buck said. An equivalent to a nebulizer treatment is six inhaler puffs, as long as the person inhales adequately, she said.

Cadets at Missouri Military Academy returned to campus two weeks ago. Classes start Monday, with teachers wearing face shields and students will wear masks. There will be assigned seating in the dining hall. Athletic events will be closed to spectators and they will be live streamed.

SSM continues to conduct drive-thru testing 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday, with a doctor’s order. In-facility visitors still are limited to one per patient.

The Audrain County Commission is close to releasing information about the third phase of coronavirus relief bill funding distributions.

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