Recent News | Macon County Health Dept.

June 27, 2022 By Mike Chambers

COVID-19 in June 2022

June 23, 2022

(Macon County, MO) – The COVID-19 cases in Macon County have increased dramatically in the last four-week period. In the last four weeks, the Macon County Health Department has been notified of 78 positive cases of COVID-19. 32 of these positive cases have been within the last seven days, 19 in the week before, and 17 the week prior. This compares to 26 cases we saw in May. These reported cases are confirmed tests and do not count at-home tests. Ages of positive cases range from 5-91 years old.

Common symptoms that are reported are “allergy-like” symptoms or what may be perceived as a simple summer cold. They can be symptoms like sneezing, coughing, runny nose, and maybe a fever.

We have noticed a trend of outbreaks in smaller, more intimate gatherings and encourage everyone to use proper mitigation techniques for preventing COVID-19 when in attendance at these events; they are including, but not limited to, camps, family get-togethers, weddings, and community events.

We have the tools to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in our community. Staying home and wearing a mask around others when you test positive, including others in your home. Wash your hands, cover your mouth when you cough and sneeze, and keeping a safe distance from others can help reduce the spread of communicable disease.

Testing when you are feeling sick, or after exposure, can help you know whether you have COVID-19. There are free at-home testing kits available through www.covid.gov/tests or by calling 1-800-232-0233.

Staying up-to-date on vaccinations and boosters can help reduce symptomatic, severe infection, and hospitalization due to COVID-19. COVID-19 vaccinations have been approved for ages 6 months and up. At least one booster is available for everyone fully vaccinated who are ages 5 and up, 5 months after the initial series and a second booster has been approved for individuals who are 50 and over and/or immunocompromised individuals.

COVID-19 continues to be a serious health concern for residents in our county. People continue to fight the effects of COVID-19 in their homes and from being hospitalized due to this illness. The Macon County Health Department continues to support and encourage healthy choices to improve health outcomes for all residents in our county.

The Macon County Health Department offers COVID-19 vaccination clinics weekly for Pfizer and Moderna vaccines. Call for an appointment at 660-395-4711.

June 21, 2022 By Mike Chambers

Cottage Food Production in Missouri

The Macon County Health Department received notice about the change to the Cottage Food Production operation requirements. Missouri House Bill 1697 will go into effect on August 28, 2022, and removes the annual gross income $50,000 cap for cottage product sales and allows sales of products that fall under cottage law to be sold over the internet provided that the cottage food production operation and purchaser are both located in Missouri.

Read the announcement regarding the changes

For more information or if you have questions about food safety, please feel free to contact us through our website or reach out to the Macon County Health Department Environmental Specialist, Mark Snyder at 660-395-4711.

June 14, 2022 By Mike Chambers

Stay cool in the heat

Stay cool as the temperatures rise this summer.

Remember to drink water throughout the day to stay hydrated and prevent overheating. Some ways to get yourself or a family member to drink more water would be to get a cup you love to drink from, add some fruit for flavoring, and drink one cup of water right when you wake up.

Wear sunscreen, a wide-brimmed hat, and light, loose clothing to protect your skin from the sun’s rays and stay cool. Reapply sunscreen as directed and use age-appropriately for adults and kids.

Never leave a dog or a child in a hot car. Double-check the backseat before leaving the vehicle.

In Macon County, you can do to the Macon Public Library as a free cooling center if you need a safe place to get out of the heat. Call the library directly for information about current health and safety precautions at 660-385-3314. Check the DHSS database for more cooling centers in Missouri.

June 13, 2022 By Mike Chambers

IdentoGO Fingerprinting Services

Macon County Health Department now provides digital fingerprinting services for background checks through IdentoGO.

IdentoGO Centers provide convenient, fast, and accurate Live Scan fingerprinting services. Whether you are required to be fingerprinted by a government agency or for employment, our trained Enrollment Agents will ensure that your paperwork is in order, take your fingerprints, process the request and have you on your way in no time!

We provide Live Scan fingerprinting services for a wide variety of state agencies, programs, and industries including:

Adoption, Attorneys and Legal Workers, Banking, Child Care, Construction Industry Licensing, Education, Firearm Permits, Financial Services, Health Care, Human Services, Insurance, Management Services, Mortgage Industry, Pharmaceutical Industry, Real Estate, Social Services, State Employment, Transportation, and many more!

Registration is required. Macon County Health Department provides fingerprinting services Monday through Thursday from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Current proof of identification at your appointment is required. IdentoGO accepts credit or debit cards, money orders, or, a payment code provided by your employer. Cash and personal checks are not accepted. Registration before your appointment is required. Click on the IdentoGO link on this page to go to the registration page.

Other IdentoGO services. Macon County Health Department also provides passport photos through IdentoGO; and, your own personal FBI background check that provides results directly to you. Registration is required. Click on the IdentoGO link on this page to go to the registration page.

May 31, 2022 By Mike Chambers

COVID-19 Update For May

May 31, 2022

Even though COVID cases are currently rising, Macon County continues to maintain low levels in relationship to our county population.

February 2 – March 1 144 cases

March 2 – March 29 41 cases

March 30 – April 26 7 cases

April 27 – May 24 26 cases

Since May 25 we have had 10 additional cases reported and one resident has been recently hospitalized. Testing remains important if not feeling well, as does keeping distance to prevent spreading illness until the symptoms pass. Additional free at-home, Rapid COVID-19 Tests are available through https://www.covid.gov/tests. Households can now order an additional eight free at-home tests. For people who have difficulty accessing the internet or need additional support placing an order can call: 1-800-232-0233 (TTY 1-888-720-7489) to get help in English or Spanish.

Residents who have passed where COVID-19 was listed as a contributing factor to death:

2020 22 deaths recorded

2021 26 deaths recorded

2022 to date 16 deaths recorded

For a more in-depth review of our county’s data, the CDC’s COVID data tracker can be accessed at https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#datatracker-home. Even though our county’s cases are low, COVID-19 continues to cause serious health problems in some residents. People continue to fight the health effects of COVID-19 in their homes. People continue to remain hospitalized due to COVID-19. People continue to have COVID-19 listed as a contributing factor in the death.

Vaccines play an important role in slowing the spread of COVID-19 and lessoning COVID-related health conditions. Macon County Health Department offers COVID-19 vaccination clinics weekly for Pfizer and Moderna, and, pediatric Pfizer. Call for an appointment at 660-395-4711 or request an appointment online.

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