Frequently Asked Questions about COVID19 and Moniteau County

 Isolation and quarantine help protect the public by preventing exposure to people who have or may have a contagious disease.

• Isolation separates sick people with a contagious disease from people who are not sick.
• Quarantine separates and restricts the movement of people who were exposed to a contagious disease to see if they become sick.
• Social Distancing are measured are taken to restrict when and where people can gather to stop or slow the spread of infectious diseases.      Social distancing measures include limiting large groups of people coming together, closing buildings and canceling events.

 Yes - Given all of the below follow necessary precautions such as proper hygiene and maintaining at least six feet (6’) of distance between all individuals that are not family members to reduce the transmission of COVID-19.

- Shopping establishments such as grocery stores, gas stations, convenience stores, and local businesses as long as the business is not a congregate gathering (movie theaters etc.)

- Banks

- Offices - Employers are encouraged to investigate means to allow employees to work remotely from their home.

- Government establishments

Missouri DHSS typically updates their website daily at 2PM.  Sometimes this is delayed due to other issues that arise as that department has a lot going on right now.  We have noticed that typically the County count is more up to date in the morning update.  We are working to have a table on this site tracking surrounding Counties to reference.

This information is protected and private by Federal Regulations.  The information that is released is all we are able to disclose. 

Federal Regulations aside, we would like to respect the privacy of these individuals.  We open our hearts and hope the best in their recovery and hope the community does as well.

The perfect example of this is the case from Isle of Capri Casino in Booneville.  

In the event a positive case were to be in a public area, and that individual couldn't identify contacts, Health Officials would release this information and ask that those citizens in that area at that time contact us as part of the investigative process.

If no additional releases such as that are made, their is no concern of further exposure risks.

Since March 16th Moniteau County officials have been operating in a “Virtual EOC” activation. This consists of constant planning and coordination among Public Health, Emergency Management, County and City Governments, Ambulance Service, Sheriff’s Office, Police Departments, Fire Districts, etc.

Since this activation all agencies have participated in daily coordination calls and have a shared plan among them so that they can bet serve the citizens of Moniteau County.

Mitigation tactics are discussed and ways that we can help reduce the spread are shared among all.

 It’s an option that continues to be explored. We certainly want to do what’s best for the county based on our current situation here and around us. As of 3/30/2020, Moniteau Public Health Officials do not see the need to issue a Stay at Home Order for Moniteau County as there is no current evidence of Community Transmission. We will continue to monitor the situation as it evolves. 

 No, the purpose of other Counties Stay at Home Orders are to ensure that non-essential congregating does not occur. This is not an enforcement tactic. 

 If you do not see your question addressed on this page you can submit them through the form at the bottom of this page. 

When a citizen of Moniteau County tests positive, the results are communicated with the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services who send secure notification to the county’s Administrator/Director and designated contact person for the local public health agency. 

Local Public Health officials will contact the patient and begin a contact investigation. 

This investigation reviews and categorizes the risk of exposure to others per CDC guidelines for travelers and/or close contact. Close contact is defined as being within approximately 6 feet of a COVID-19 case for a prolonged period of time; close contact can occur while caring for, living with, visiting, or sharing a healthcare waiting area or room with a COVID-19 case; or having direct contact with infectious secretions of a COVID-19 case (eg. being coughed on), if such contact occurs while not wearing recommended personal protective equipment. 

Those who are considered to be a close contact will be notified by public health and instructed to be quarantined for 14-days barring no symptoms arise.

Individuals who are identified as a positive case or contact are in communication with Public Health to ensure guidelines are being adhered to and to report any symptoms. 

No, unless there was direct contact identified during the ongoing case investigation.  

This depends on the lab that the testing facility utilizes. Some laboratories are as fast as 24 hours while others may be behind up to 8-9 days depending on the volume of tests they are doing. It is recommended that if you are tested that you quarantine yourself until you receive the results from that test.  

No, currently Moniteau County Health Center does not test for the COVID-19 virus.  

Currently there are many mobile testing sites available, https://health.mo.gov/living/healthcondiseases/communicable/novel-coronavirus/mobile-testing.php

Call your health care provider as many sites will need a Health Care Provider’s order  

Call your healthcare professional if you feel sick with fever, cough, or difficulty breathing, and/or have been in close contact with a person known to have COVID-19. It’s important to call before seeking care because it helps your provider make sure that proper infection control procedures are followed when you arrive. 

 No, COVID-19 is a virus. There are no approved anti-viral in the treatment of COVID-19 

The immune response to COVID-19 is not yet understood. Patients with MERS-CoV infection are unlikely to be re-infected shortly after they recover, but it is not yet known whether similar immune protection will be observed for patients with COVID-19. 

This depends on the lab that the testing facility utilizes.  Some laboratories are as fast as 24 hours while others may be behind up to 8-9 days depending on the volume of tests they are doing.  It is recommended that if you are tested that you isolate yourself until you receive the results from that test.